I watched the sad demise of our last washerdryer after having served us for a less than 2 years… least said soonest mended.
So began a frantic search for an immediate replacement and armed with the words from Himself "just get one which washes, we don't need the all singing all dancing model", I bought this model.
At a cost of £199 with only £5 delivery charge (same day), this was too good an opportunity to miss, and meant that I wouldn't have to inflict washing on my friends and family.
**The Model **
The machine itself is white automatic front loading with a large porthole window and a door which opens out to the left using a pull back hinge.
The detergent and fabric conditioner drawer is located in the top left hand corner as it is on most other automatic
washing machines., and in the bottom right hand corner is the drain pump.
The programme selector dial is a clockwise turn manual dial, and not digital programming, which I actually like, because when the children were younger digital buttons were just too tempting.
There are also a series of press down buttons, on which you can select different types of spins etc…more about that later.
**Using The Machine**
I can't stand reading instruction manuals so the fact that this is incredibly easy to use without opening a manual is a bonus.
All of the details are actually written on the front of the detergent dispenser drawer, so each number corresponds to a wash and these are then listed on the front, with details of the items you would wash on each cycle.
Great- no fuss washing, and it meant I could get down to it straight away.
**The Control Panel**
This is where the programme option buttons are located and depending on the desired function, different buttons can be selected. When the buttons are pressed down, the corresponding light lights up so you know exactly what is happening, but you have to remember to select them, before pressing the start/pause button.
**Spin Reduction/no spin**
I think this is a great function for those clothes you don't want wrung out to almost driness and usually shrunk to half the size. If you select this button
**Half Load **
Another useful option especially if, like me, there is something you need quickly but it's not worth a full load wash. Simply select the button on the control panel and the machine will do 2 not 3 rinses.
**Prewash**
i tend to use this option only on really dirty things such as cloths and tea towels. Again, really simple to use and this option can be selected for all washes except wool.
**Washing Programmes**
Altogether there are 15 possible options, with the additional bits and pieces as explained above.
The hottest wash is a 90 degree wash which is suitable for heavy soiled cotton items. this washes at a high temperature, has 3 rinses and a long spin, and the maximum load is 5kg. the programme takes 140 mins to complete and possible additional options are prewash, half load, rinse hold, spin reduction and no spin.
There are two 60 degree washes, one the Eco wash and the other for fast coloureds. I can't quite work out how these differ as both have 3 rinses and a long spin; the only difference seems to be that the Eco wash takes 10 minutes longer.
There are several 40 degree washes, and the instructions both in the manual and actually on the control panel tell you when to use the diffeent washes, but this is all a bit technical to me- a wash is a wash!
As well as all of these, there is a delicate wash which can be set at 30 or 40 degrees, a wool wash, which washes at 30, a cold wash and a quick and cold wash
Add to this, an optional rinse cycle, drain cycle, and spin cycle, and I think everything is just about covered.
**Spinning**
I do like a good spinner, because there are few things as irritating as wet soggy clothes coming out of a machine.
The washing machine can take a load up to 5kg, so quite a big load and it has a brilliant spin, quiet and one good thing is that it doesn't seem to jump about the floor. It's under a bench so I can't check the full power but the clothes come out really well spun.
As I mentioned earlier, there is an optional spin programme for all those people who do a hand wash, and then like to give the clothes a spin.
The spin reduction is also a great feature, and reduces the spin of 1000rpm for cottons to 500 rpm, and 900rpm to 450rpm for synthetics.
Good stuff!
**What I think of the machine**
So far so good...
For a machine which was relatively inexpensive, this one does the job, and is managing the 4 loads a day with ease.
It has a good range of programmes without being overly complex, and should you have any problems, the instruction booklet and the control panel have all the information you could need. There is also lots of information on the times of each load, water used etc.
The controls which easy to use and the large window lets you have a look at the wash of the moment (should you want to). Actually, I have already found this a useful pass time because I did notice a black sock in the white wash. No problem...I was able to stop the wash and after a short period of time, open the door and remove the offending article.
One of the things I like about the machine is that it gives a progress display so you know exactly where the programme is up to.
It holds a big load, is quiet, energy efficient (A), and washes whites whiter than white, and was an inexpensive model.
So far, I am impressed with this machine.
Thanks for reading.
Daniela xx
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Jul 13th, 2006
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