I love washing machine manuals - especially that first line informing us how to run a wash cycle; No.1) Switch the washing maching on using the on / off button. This carefully executed instruction is followed by; No.2) Load the laundry into the drum. And after measuring out the detergent (No.3), I then set the knob to the desired programme (No.4) And this is where I fall in love with this washing machine again.
From a material aspect, this is an attractive machine. It has its own light show of buttons and controls at the front - which made me march straight over to it in Currys 5 months ago and brush my husband's hand away at the £429 price tag. The 7.5kg drum was just what I needed with three sons, two daughters, two moulting cats, and a clumsy husband who likes curry. I could now even shove in my double duvet using the 'Duvets' programme to get rid of those morning coffee stains. And because it is, ''shhh' super quiet,' I didn't have to yell that dinner would be ready 'when it was good and ready,' to complete with the usual 'washing machine taking-off noise,' I endured with my last four machines.
But getting practical, this machine has the everyday programmes: White Cottons, Coloured Cottons and Synthetics, but also a 30 min fast wash, which is great for freshening clothes. You can even pop in the odd pair of pj's or 'mom I've spilt cereal all over my only pair of school trousers' by combining it with the 'mini load' button.
(Note - the 'Fast Wash' max temp is 30 degrees and spin is 800. I tend to follow this programme with the 'Fast Spin' (1400) programme to help dry clothes.)
There are two heavy duty programmes: cotton with pre-wash and synthetics 60 degrees. After the boys playing football in the garden, I use these programmes a lot before weeping over lost flowers.
Special programmes include; Shirts, Silk, Duvets, Bed and Bath, and Wool. This machine carries the Woolmark Platinum care logo, and my sister now drives over to use it since she shrunk her wool jumper so small it wouldn't fit barbie.
Bed and bath is a must have for large families. All the boys duvet covers and pillow cases fit in the machine together. When I tell my husband I spent the day washing all the boys beds, I admit a guilty pleasure in his 'well done, you worked hard today, I'll run you a bath' comments, as it only takes me one wash instead of several.
There are also your regular rinse and spin (1400) programmes. You are also able to modify temperature and spin speed during certain washes, and there is a delay timer and a 'TIME SAVER' button, which I use most washes.
For example, For 'Coloured Cottons,' the default temp is 40 degrees, spin 1400, and wash time 135 mins. You can change the default temp to 30, spin to 1200,800,600, or no, and wash time to 123 mins (time saver)
There is also a CHILD LOCK button, which I find invaluable when my toddling nephew visits, though he can't pull out the dispenser tray as it is behind the door.
That is the only NIGGLE I have this machine - the dispenser behind the door, not on the face of the machine like the others. If you are like me and occasionally forget to load fabric softner, you can't open the door to add some when the wash cycle is in progress.
But to end on a good note, this machine is A+ ENERGY, and only runs off cold water - which I am told all new machines do nowdays.
So that is what I think of my washing machine, the Hotpoint Aqualtis AQXXF 149 PI Would I recommend it to a friend? You bet. Am I pleased with it? Very And most surprisingly, because it looks good, my husband isn't afraid of it. If only he overcame his fear of the iron ...
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