One thing that always strikes me about Eastenders is the fact that nobody has their own washing machine. Despite the fact that Steve Owen and Phil Mitchell seem to have enough available cash to buy up whatever real estate takes their fancy, they still get Pauline to do a service wash for them. This is what makes Pauline Fowler such a pillar of the community – she’s seen everybody’s pants!
Anyway, with that little observation aside, here’s another one for you. I was astounded to see that in the history of this site only a few opinions have ever been written about washing machines. Perhaps you lot smell really bad. Perhaps you know Pauline Fowler - or could it just be that the subject matter puts you to sleep? Well, whatever the reason, you’ve got this far, so you may as well carry on reading, as I’ve decided to swell the number of washing machine opinions in the archives.
When I moved to my current abode, I was in need of a new washing machine. My previous model had given me a few problems – such as the door coming off in my hand and other joys. I looked around all the major retailers, doing that price comparison thing they always say you should do, and in the end I opted for the Hoover AAA Whisper 1400. I wanted a machine that would last, that was efficient and that wasn’t one of those hideous Dyson mutations. I also didn’t want a combined washer and dryer – I prefer to dry clothes naturally. The Hoover model fitted the bill, so I duly handed over the cash, and the rest is washday history. Here’s what I think:
THE MANUFACTURER
I was attracted to the Hoover range, because I had read an article in Which? Magazine that advised that Hoover was the only British manufacturer to produce washing machines with a top energy efficiency rating. My Mum had always bought Hoover machines, so I knew they had a relatively good reputation. Hoover currently manufacture a wide range of washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. Although Hoover is perhaps most widely known for the sales of vacuum cleaners, the company was also the first to produce a washing machine with a single tub (right back in 1948 and it cost £31.25!). They introduced the twin tub concept in 1957 and the first automatic machine in 1960. Their first programmable machine was launched in 1983 and since then they have continued to lead the market in developing fast, efficient machines.
THE RANGE
Hoover’s current range of washing machines is named the Hoover Six range – so called, because of the 6kg capacity for loads (one of the largest available on the market). All models in the range have a similar look and feel, but there are a variety of spin speeds available, which will dictate the price. The range has been designed to have an extra large door, to make loading and unloading much easier, and an angled control display fascia that makes it easy to operate. Of all the models that I looked at, the Hoover Six machines looked the most substantial – many models had very flimsy feeling doors, but the Hoover ones seemed built to last.
THE MODEL
I chose the AAA Whisper 1400 (AAA 140) model, as this offered the greatest spin speed and comparative capacity of all the models that I looked at. An ‘AAA 160’ model is available with a greater spin speed, but I didn’t see this in the stores that I visited. The machine cost me £429.10 (from Comet) and the price remains roughly the same today. The product has been slightly re-designed since I purchased it, and now comes complete with a clear glass door – my version has an opaque door.
CONNECTION
I actually paid an engineer to connect up the washing machine (lazy aren’t I?), but connecting the machine to the plumbing is a very simple exercise. The pipes are colour coded to enable you to identify which is the hot pipe and which is the cold – tightening by hand is quite sufficient (in fact, over-tightening can cause problems). It is important to ensure that the drainage arrangements are appropriate – the outlet end of the hose needs to be about 60 or 70 cm above ground level, so check the pipes BEFORE you start loading the machine up. The pipes and connections are all easily tested by running a quick spin and rinse programme, but to be honest the whole procedure is very straight forward, and I wouldn’t foresee any problems for anyone who’s had a washing machine before. (Oh dear – Albert Square would be lost wouldn’t they?)
LOADING AND UNLOADING
I do find this machine easier to load and unload than any other machines that I have used. The drum does seem noticeably larger, and the door is quite big, so you have room to get the garments in and out quite comfortably. One of the features that this range of machines offers is the ability to load up to 6kg of items in the machine – although this is not as straight forward as it sounds. The machine has a standard load limit of 5kg – this can only be extended for cotton wash programmes, and enables the extra weight to be catered for by increasing the volume of water used and running time of the relevant wash cycle. In order to utilise this feature you have to select the 6kg wash programme individually. This is a useful feature if you have a large family, and need the added capacity, but don’t be fooled into thinking this will enable you to wash 6kg of upholstery into the machine. Load up your curtains, your quilt or your rugs and you could be in for a shock. This is something that Hoover ought really to make prospective buyers aware of at the time of purchase. My immediate impression of this feature was that it was intended for people who want to wash very heavy items – this is clearly not the case.
The way in which the door is built also means that there is quite a large space between the drum and the inside of the door. This is secured with a rubber seal, for obvious reasons, but you must take care to load the machine appropriately. If the garments are not pushed right back in the drum, behind the rubber seal, they can get caught up – which can cause serious damage to the machine if it goes into a fast spin cycle.
USING THE CONTROLS
The Hoover Six series has very user-friendly controls. The washing cycles are selected using a large dial to the right hand side, which can be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise, without the need to push in or pull out (as many machines dictate). To add certain conditions to the standard wash cycle (e.g. express wash or reduced spin speed) you have a selection of buttons on the front of the panel, each with its own indicator light that tells you at a glance if you have selected the function or not. Also, the door is opened using a button on the panel, rather than actually using a handle on the door, which means that when closed, the door is flush with the rest of the machine, with no visible hinges or handles. Selecting the cycles is extremely easy to do – but what makes this machine really special is the ‘Inter@act’ system.
‘Inter@ct’ is a computer system that is intended to ensure that operation of the machine is as simple as possible – which is important, when you understand the number of different cycles available. The system displays the settings that you have selected in a very easy to read format, on a small digital screen situated above the main programme dial. When you have turned the dial round to select a programme, there is a short delay of 1 or 2 seconds before the display beeps and shows what you have selected. So, for instance, select programme one and the display says:
Additionally, if you were to select Express Wash, the display will indicate that have selected it, or if you turn it off, it will tell you the same. All quite straightforward stuff, but this is just the start of the system’s usefulness. The ‘Inter@act’ system also:
- Enables you to select start or end times - Enables you to set a memory of regular washing cycles and times - Displays remaining washing time, so you can see how long you need to wait - Sounds an alarm beep when the cycle has finished to alert you that the machine needs emptying - Sounds an alarm if you select incompatible options (e.g. you try and wash cottons and select Fast Iron as well)
I really like this system because, although the dial indicates which programme you have selected, the display easily enables you to see what you have asked for, and prevents you putting clothes in a cycle that is too hot or too cold.
AVAILABLE PROGRAMMES AND FUNCTIONS
The system has 29 basic programmes, each of which can be modified in a number of ways. Each programme should be selected according to the nature of the load, but there are 14 different programmes for ‘normal’ clothes, according to how dirty they are, or whether they are colourfast. Temperatures on such cycles range from 95° to 15°. There are separate cycles for acrylics, delicates, woollens and sportswear and there is also a Speed Wash cycle if you are in a hurry. I also find the Hand Wash function very useful, which basically simulates a hand wash on delicate clothes – but prevents you from getting your hands dirty.
Other functions include Express Wash, which greatly reduces the washing time. I use this function an awful lot, because very often my clothes aren’t particularly dirty, or I don’t have that many to wash. For heavily soiled items, there is a Pre-Wash button, although I didn’t realise that this required additional detergent. Another extremely useful function is the Extra Rinse function – this adds more water at the rinsing stage and helps reduce skin irritation cause by excess detergents. This is particularly important with towels, which have a much higher capability to retain detergents.
I think you would find it very difficult to find a machine with a greater variety of programmes and cycles.
The machine produces extremely clean clothes. Once you have familiarised yourself with the controls, you will learn how to get the best out of the machine – I have gradually decreased the temperatures at which I wash certain clothes, because I found that the machine could cope with less heat, and was therefore more efficient. The machine is able to lift stains from very heavily soiled clothes, without boiling the guts out of them.
The machine is extremely efficient and is officially rated A for both efficiency and water consumption. Although I seldom wash very large loads of clothes, I would say that the washing times are generally quicker than other machines that I have used. The water efficiency can take some getting used to – you can seldom actually see any water sloshing round in the drum and at first I thought there was a fault.
Another feature of this range of machines is that they are supposed to be very quiet (hence the AAA Whisper name). The machine does seem quieter than its competitors – although I do my washing in the utility room, which is set away from the rest of the house so I am rarely disturbed by the machine’s noise. That aside, because the machine uses less water, the cycle would be quieter anyway, because you don’t have so much water being loaded in and out.
CLEANING AND SAFETY
The detergent drawer is relatively easy to remove from the top of the machine. It contains three long compartments, but there are no fiddly little filters or corners, so a quick soak in warm soapy water quickly cleans it up. My previous machine had a tendency to get clogged with detergent, but this does not seem to be a problem with the AAA. The machine also has a filter designed to prevent items such as coins or buttons blocking the discharge hose. It is simple enough to clean, as the filter is located behind a kick plate, on the bottom front of the machine.
The door has a safety mechanism that prevents it from being opened if the drum contains water. The door will also stay locked for two minutes at the end of a cycle, after which it will beep to alert you to the fact that it can now be opened. In actual fact, it keeps beeping for quite some time until you do open it – which is intensely irritating. The control panel also has a programme lock button, which prevents children tampering with the wash cycle whilst it is in operation.
PRODUCT SUPPORT
The instruction booklet that comes with the machine is very thorough indeed, with clear instructions on how to use each function, as well as general laundry advice and troubleshooting tips. You have free use of the Hoover Technical Support Service for one year after purchase, as well as a five-year warranty on parts.
MY VERDICT
This is an excellent washing machine, with a superb range of cycles for any type of laundry. It is user-friendly and well designed, with simple controls and a highly beneficial computer support system. The results speak for themselves, and you can also rest assured that the system is operating with minimum water and energy consumption. The price puts this at the upper end of the price bracket, but cheaper machines will not last as well, will not clean clothes as well and will consume electricity like a power station. For the price, I am very satisfied with this machine’s performance and would recommend this as a suitable investment for anyone looking for a new machine (or indeed, looking to put Pauline Fowler on the dole).
Highly recommended
More details
User's Manual
Good
Maintenance
Easy
Safety
Safe
How much did you pay?
£429
Any repairs?
No
Special features?
None
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