Miele W 1756

...dislike washers but I like Miele washers. The reason for this is because they last a long, a very long time and if, like me, you hate shopping for boring household appliances then you’ll love Miele for this reason alone. So when disaster stuck one evening in the form of a leaking toilet, collapsed ceiling (part thereof) and a partly rubble covered washer, boy was I pleased that I’d taken up the offer of 10 months for the price of 12 home insurance. ...
...weeks wages on my previous Miele but nothing like that price – I wasn’t going to argue with the insurers.

I love my washer, I mean as much as you can love an inanimate object. Being German made means quality made, good Teutonic workmanship and it has a 5 year parts and labour guarantee.

I love that this washer is so quiet, not as quiet as the commercial Miele machines but then again most mid range machines, like my ... more

I dislike washers but I like Miele washers. The reason for this is because they last a long, a very long time and if, like me, you hate shopping for boring household appliances then you’ll love Miele for this reason alone. So when disaster stuck one evening in the form of a leaking toilet, collapsed ceiling (part thereof) and a partly rubble covered washer, boy was I pleased that I’d taken up the offer of 10 months for the price of 12 home insurance.
So, my 8 year old Miele washer, which had harmed no one and done a cracking good job for me was no more. The insurance allowed me a like for like washer and of course I chose another Miele, but, the all singing all dancing *new* version, which in all honesty was more expensive but on par with my old machine on specification. £790 eek!! That’s a lot of money for a washer!! I remember spending a good few weeks wages on my previous Miele but nothing like that price – I wasn’t going to argue with the insurers.

I love my washer, I mean as much as you can love an inanimate object. Being German made means quality made, good Teutonic workmanship and it has a 5 year parts and labour guarantee.

I love that this washer is so quiet, not as quiet as the commercial Miele machines but then again most mid range machines, like my sister’s, sound like a fighter jet landing in your kitchen, but its quiet enough that I can set it on timer to start a cycle after 12 at night (electricity is cheaper).
The simplicity in design and fuss free front panel are fantastic and easy to use, there’s only one dial for the washing programs so that eliminates a multitude of errors immediately.
You cannot go wrong with settings, it has easily understood washing programs like, demin, dark garments and cottons. It doesn’t have a silk wash; I was always perplexed with this setting; I imagined piles of silk garments adorned with crystal beads or voluminous dresses from a bygone era being shoved in the washer. Also there is no handwash, what’s that all about anyway? If clothes are hand wash then surely you wash the garment with your hands! It does however have a ‘delicate’ setting which surely would cover all your handwash and silk needs.

The most important part of any washer I feel is the spin speed and this sometimes is the difference between kicking your washer or kissing it. With this 1600 spin speed washer any pillows, blankets or coats come out lovely and light; the water has been spun into oblivion. You don’t need to use 1600 all the time mind you, basically use it for heavier more water retentive materials to ensure it doesn’t leave a trail of water when you drag it sopping wet from the machine.
A close second to the spin speed on this machine is the size of the drum and at 6kg it’s more than adequate for my needs, I can fit pillows and double ‘light tog’ duvets in there no problem.
And, ok, the washer has ‘Honeycomb’ technology – This is the type of jargon I steer clear from as usually it means nothing and won’t influence you to buy the machine. In this instance the same is true – ‘the slightly sculptured surface structure of the honeycomb drum creates a thin film of water which gently cushions the laundry away from the drum’. Fine! Did I really need to know this? It’s good enough for you that I’ve bought it over a Hotpoint.
I don’t presume to know if this technology works but what I do know is my clothes aren’t ripped to shreds when I take them out the machine. This is a minor issue and more to do with my annoyance of stupid technical jargon where I wouldn’t be able to test whether the technology is good or not!

Anyway, the next best thing I like is the door – It’s massive and you cannot miss it, it doesn't have one of those handles that break after 3 months or don’t shut properly. To open the door you have a teeny tiny little orange button – cute! It’s beyond my comprehension that these machines are so robust and hardwearing with such dainty features. My mum’s washer is like one of those telephones with the big numbers, with a massive on/off switch, that also fell off and indeed the whole washer went downhill after that.

Overall, Miele washers are built to last and they do last – They aren’t flimsy and have good solid components and an after service that actually does work. One thing to bear in mind though if things go wrong when the machine is out of warranty (generally 2 years) you pay a standard call out of around £92 for 1 hours labour and any work that needs to be done. Generally Miele repairs are best done by Miele engineers as they have their own diagnostic system to locate faults on machines. The cost to repair a Miele is far more economical than to replace and most repairs tend to be small wear and tear issues.

I would recommend the Miele website too - It's easy to use, especially the customer services bit - Some don't even have a contact telephone number! but this site does, for all to see, it also lists call out charges clearly and explains procedures. And best of all when you call them they answer the phone! Spot on!

I love my Miele, me.

 

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