Indesit WIDL 126 S

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The wittily named Indesit Widl 126 s (get it? No, me neither) other than sounding like a manoeuvre used in potty training, is apparently quite cheap coming in at around £250- £300. Having never bought one, I wouldn't know. My landlord threw this one at me after the ancient device he had lumbered us with previously packed in. After I kicked it a few times. Oops. He does, however, guarantee me it was the best deal on the market. He proceeded ...
...it were his darling child or a crowning achievement. Since I'm now writing a review of it, I'm starting to wish I had listened to what he was saying about it.

He also thrust the paperwork for it in my desk drawer at work (the perks of working with your landlord eh) so I now know that these things come in a "variety" of colours. White and Silver. We were told we were getting the white one, but having seen pictures of the silver ... more

Washing machines have always been a pain in the ass for me. And not even in that fun kind of way.

Washing machines have always been there since the dawn of time, lurking in the background just waiting to strike. When not munching on half a pair of socks, they like to strike fear into the heart of greasy, clothes-less teenagers.

My first real encounter went something like this: Shove clothes in, making sure everything is as tightly packed as possible. Use a large stick if need be. Kick door to ensure it locks. If at first you don't succeed, kick it again. It WILL lock eventually. Fill the drawer to the brim with the powdery stuff and then throw in as much liquid as you possibly can. Close drawer very carefully. Push random buttons until it starts doing something. Walk off smugly having just taught yourself valuable life lessons about washing machines while cleaning the floor all at the same time.

Needless to say it got me out of doing my own washing till I was about 17. Then I moved out. Bugger. Now I'm a lot kinder to the machines, mainly due to the fact I have to pay if I Eff it up.

The wittily named Indesit Widl 126 s (get it? No, me neither) other than sounding like a manoeuvre used in potty training, is apparently quite cheap coming in at around £250- £300. Having never bought one, I wouldn't know. My landlord threw this one at me after the ancient device he had lumbered us with previously packed in. After I kicked it a few times. Oops. He does, however, guarantee me it was the best deal on the market. He proceeded to talk to me about it for weeks as if it were his darling child or a crowning achievement. Since I'm now writing a review of it, I'm starting to wish I had listened to what he was saying about it.

He also thrust the paperwork for it in my desk drawer at work (the perks of working with your landlord eh) so I now know that these things come in a "variety" of colours. White and Silver. We were told we were getting the white one, but having seen pictures of the silver one, I want it. It's ever so slightly cooler. Looks less like a budget appliance too.

I also learned it is front loading and that there are way too many jokes that can be made about front loading. I can't possibly pick one.

So, without having even one look at the instruction manual for it, i decided to play around with the machine. What? I am still male at times you know!!

The first thing I noticed about this machine was the hot delivery guy. He doesn't come with every model, but if you order from Curries in Dundee, you might get a surprise. He was tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, muscles and tattoos creeping out the collar of his very, very tight t shirt (which was matched by some butt hugging trousers, hugging a butt to die for) Basically, he was a coca-cola advert on speed.

The second thing (or the first if you discount the males) was how many buttons and dials this thing has. There is one large button you use to turn the machine on. Always a good starting point. Then there is another smaller button that you push when you are happy that all your dials are aligned with Jupiter and the third star from the right.

There are then four other buttons that are used to open secret doors in Tibet. They also select some extra functions.

Time delay

If you are like me, you'll remember you have washing to do at one in the morning but also realise it's not entirely neighbour friendly to stick your Machine on at this time. Set up your machine as normal and then hit this button, it will stick a delay on it so your washing is done at a more sociable hour. Unless you live in a flat full of people on nightshift, then I suppose your damned no matter what time you do your washing. This machine doesn't sound too bad assuming you dont keep it under the counter where you store your booze....oops?

Easy Iron

Something about this button baffles me. It assumes I iron. If I did, this button would supposedly make it easier for me to do so. By which I mean this will keep your clothes moving every minute or so after your cycle is complete. The science behind this is that it means the wrinkles won't settle into your clothes if they are kept moving. This will not work on your Gran. At least I don't think it will

Extra Rinse

If you're a dirty, dirty person, you might find this button handy, an extra rinse! More water for your wallop! Clean freaks might get a kick out of this button too I suppose.

Super-sonic-turbo-Mario-Spin

Installed by Nintendo (might explain the pee related name?), here we have another fabulous extra. Can't get enough of your cats confusion as it watches the world spin from inside the machine? Hit this button and pussy gets an extra, faster spin. They don't like water so this will make sure they are nice and dry without having to waste your money on the dryer function!

Now for the Twisty bits! There are three main dials that you use to fly this thing.

Dial Number One: The Programme Selector

This dial on the far right is surrounded by the numbers one to thirteen and three funny little squiggles meaning something or other. Unlike some other turny buttons on other machines, this spins round easily in both directions so you don't need to go stupidly slow when you get close to your number in fear of overshooting and having to go all the way round again. The numbers are all neatly written out on the front of the drawer you put your stuff into.

Dial Number Two: The Hotness Turney thing

This thingamy-bob is the middle turney-flooger and lets you select what temperature you do your wash at. You can choose between "Arctic Waters" cold and "Lets-Kill-A-Rainforest-With-Our-Energy-Consumption" hot. Feel free to use this knob to select any Temperature you wish, as long as its 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90. Who really washes at anything other than multiples of ten anyway?? This can come in handy if you are trying to save a bit on your bills, washing at a lower temperature will shave pennies off if you do it for the rest of your life.

Dial Number Three: That Other One

This one, through a careful process of elimination, is the one on the left. It too turns and selects, but it is not for the Eco-friendly people among us. Or the sensible ones either. This one controls how long you want the dryer function to stay on for. Yep, it dries stuff too. It takes forever and you'd be quicker and probably more energy efficient using your hairdryer and a St Bernard, but it gets there. As long as your trouser pockets don't want to go "there" wherever that is...of course I only found this out AFTER I'd put the jeans on and sat in my car for ten minutes. Nothing like realising you have a slightly damp ass to set you up for a good night out. It's only a really useful function if you are drying one item at a time… and if you do that…I don't even know where to begin.

But wait, There's more!

Twisty things out of the way, there were other things to impress me, such as the fact the machine has a quick wash function!! Yes, I realise this is the norm for nearly all washing machines now, but the one I was stuck with before took an hour and a half to do the quickest wash. I can now throw my clothes at this thing and half an hour later, Walla, clean stuff! This means you can get a lot more done in a day. Just make sure you have the space to hang it out.

The drum is also a wide load drum so its easier to get stuff in and out of. Especially if you are me, who is still prone to fitting a small but over populated third world country in there.

Downsides

It might just be my machine, but Christ, this thing can MOVE! I need to push the machine back about 6 inches….every time I do a wash because the spin takes it into orbit. Ok, so, possibly not a downside for the more adult audience, but surely you have better things to do than sit on your machine all day??

As if the mass amounts of buttons going on wasn't enough to confuse me, the times it says each cycle will take is a lie. I'm sure I remember reading somewhere on their paperwork that the times stated are just estimates. It makes me wonder exactly how this machine works. Does it not have a set method of washing? Does it just decide when it can't be arsed spinning any more?? TELL ME INDESIT!! I NEED TO KNOW!!! Either way, it can be quite a nuisance waiting on your cycle finishing. You will end up having a conversation with your machine calling it a lying, cheating pig.

The drawer for putting your capsules/powder/whatever into is also quite confusing. It's not really all to clear if they want you to put the liquid in one part and the powder in the other or if it doesn't actually matter where it goes. From experience, it would seem it doesn't matter.

There is no digital display. Unlike my mums, which tells you exactly what you've chosen on the screen and the remaining time and that you look great in those shoes, this one is all manual buttons, levers and pulleys. If you so wish to remind yourself of what time you put it on, you had better hope you looked at a clock when you done so. If you want to know what cycle you are on, you will need to check your knobs against the chart. Same goes for the washing machine.

Last but not least, this is in my flat. If it were, say, at one of my parents houses, I wouldn't have to do my own washing. I may have to remind them that I am their only middle son and they love me.

Some Boring Stuff

Now that I have told you of my time with Indi (my machines name which I have just made up for the fun of it) I shall let you hear a little bit of factual stuff, laid out in a rather boring manner.

Dimensions are as follows: Height 85cm x Width 60cm x Depth 54cm.
Energy Rating: B (A would be the best)
Maximum load the drum can take: 5kg wash/4kg dry (Do you really weigh your washing??)
Maximum spin speed: 1200rpm (Fast means dryer clothes)

Anything else?

Yes, as a matter of fact. There are a tonne of cycles, energy and water consumption information that I, quite frankly, can't be bothered telling you about. Don't worry though, a very quick Google will bring up plenty places that sell these babies and they will be much more keen on telling you everything you could ever want to know.

Overall

I'm not totally in love with the machine. I'd much prefer a more electronic, futuristic, Jetsons style washing machine, but I'm stuck with what the landlord gives me. In saying this, I'm also quite happy with his choice. It serves its function well and has lasted a lot longer that other machines that have had to spend more than three minutes in the same household as me. 'Tis easy to keep clean and looks ok. Worth a look. 

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