We need a new washing machine! Recommendations and warnings ploise!

[ikis84]

Our washing machine has died (poor thing gets a flogging, lol).

I need some recommendations and warnings ploise! What's good, what's bad, what's ugggggly?!

We can't really afford more than $800, so a nifty front loader is out of the question, unfortunately :(.

[tickle]

I have a 7kg front loader and it was about $700. It only uses 50l per wash and washes the clothes beautifully. It's an Electrolux. :D

[Lunar]

I HIGHLY recommend the Fisher and Paykel Aquasmart. It's fantastic! We got one a few months back. It's a top loader that washed like a front loader. I think it's 8-8.5 kilos, uses only 50l water per wash on eco cycle. It's the best thing I've bought in a long time!
We previously had a little 5kg washer (top loader) and our new machine actually uses a lot less water and washes twice as much in one go!
I only do a few loads a week now, instead of having to wash every day!
AND you get the rebate too!:thumbsup:

[justmum]

I have an Electrolux EWF 1087. It is brilliant, it is a front loader and it was about $850 on sale - less rebate!

I think it is a superseded model now, but it is a great little machine - 7kg capacity, low water usage. Very nifty. I'm sure Electrolux will have a front loader on your price range if you can wait for a sale.

Choice has done a report on washing machines, which is what we looked at when we bought our machine. You can subscribe on line and get the report - I highly recommend it.

[RedPanda]

I think it's good that you're not getting a front loader. We bought one about three years ago (Fisher & Paykel) for just over $1000 and it's awful. The bearings constantly go, which makes the machine dance across my laundry floor until I get DH to fix it again. If you overload them even slightly, the barrel bearings go. It's supposed to be so water-smart, but the tiny loads I have to do in order to prevent the bearings from busting make me waste water.

If I were you, I'd go a good, hardy top-loader. I'm getting a new one soon, and I'll be looking for an energy and water-efficient top-loader.

[tickle]

I think it's good that you're not getting a front loader. We bought one about three years ago (Fisher & Paykel) for just over $1000 and it's awful. The bearings constantly go, which makes the machine dance across my laundry floor until I get DH to fix it again. If you overload them even slightly, the barrel bearings go. It's supposed to be so water-smart, but the tiny loads I have to do in order to prevent the bearings from busting make me waste water.

If I were you, I'd go a good, hardy top-loader. I'm getting a new one soon, and I'll be looking for an energy and water-efficient top-loader.

I have heard that Fisher & Paykel ones aren't that great. The front loader before I had this one was a good 25 years old and I've had this one for a couple of years now and have never had a problem with it. I overload mine sometimes too. :o

[ikis84]

Hubby doesn't want a front loader as he is tall and doesn't want to bend over to put stuff in the washing machine (pfft, he hardly does washing anyway)... also, I can't imagine it would be very nice to hand stuff nappies into the machine :barf:

So you can get toploaders that are like frontloaders in terms of efficiency, eh?

[spoon]

I have an electrolux front loader too. It is fantastic, washes very well. WE bought it for under $800 too. If you do buy a front loader, make sure it has a quick wash option ie 30mins and a pause option. And I would not recommend getting a fron loader with a dryer on it.

[~Bec~]

A top loader is never going to be as good as a front loader because the aggitation is different.

I love a front loader and would never ever go back to a top loader. FLs just clean stuff soooooooooooooo much better and use less water too. The only down side is that I usually drop 1 sock or similar on the way to the washing machine and I can't just pop it in after it's started.

[RedPanda]

also, I can't imagine it would be very nice to hand stuff nappies into the machine :barf:



You're right there! It can be pretty feral :laughing:

Tickle - I might give front-loaders another chance. I do like the water savings, but I hate how temperamental my machine is. Maybe I should just steer clear of Fisher & Paykel.

[tickle]

Hubby doesn't want a front loader as he is tall and doesn't want to bend over to put stuff in the washing machine (pfft, he hardly does washing anyway)... also, I can't imagine it would be very nice to hand stuff nappies into the machine :barf:

So you can get toploaders that are like frontloaders in terms of efficiency, eh?

My parents got a stand that their front loader goes on so no bending is required. :D

I think there are some top loaders that are as efficient, but I'm not sure what they are price wise.

ETA: I hand stuff in nappies fine. :p :D

[Lunar]

Hubby doesn't want a front loader as he is tall and doesn't want to bend over to put stuff in the washing machine (pfft, he hardly does washing anyway)... also, I can't imagine it would be very nice to hand stuff nappies into the machine :barf:

So you can get toploaders that are like frontloaders in terms of efficiency, eh?
Yep! Ours is! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!


A top loader is never going to be as good as a front loader because the aggitation is different.

I love a front loader and would never ever go back to a top loader. FLs just clean stuff soooooooooooooo much better and use less water too. The only down side is that I usually drop 1 sock or similar on the way to the washing machine and I can't just pop it in after it's started.
Ours is! Ours washes exactly the same as a front loader, only it's a top loader! We even have to use the front loader powder. It is so great! So water and energy efficient, and the clothes get so clean!
It even has specific cycles for certain stains! I love my washer! I can't say it enough! I only wash 1-2 days a week instead of every darn day like before! AND it only cost us around $800 (can't remember exact price) and we got the $150 rebate after that too!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

ETA: with a front loader you can't stop it after the water has gone in if you have forgotten to put a few things ins (which I do EVERY time I wash) with ours you can! And it has a child lock on it, and senses how much you have in there and adjusts it's water levels accordingly!

[~Bec~]

Yep! Ours is! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!


Ours is! Ours washes exactly the same as a front loader, only it's a top loader! We even have to use the front loader powder. It is so great! So water and energy efficient, and the clothes get so clean!
It even has specific cycles for certain stains! I love my washer! I can't say it enough! I only wash 1-2 days a week instead of every darn day like before! AND it only cost us around $800 (can't remember exact price) and we got the $150 rebate after that too!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

ETA: with a front loader you can't stop it after the water has gone in if you have forgotten to put a few things ins (which I do EVERY time I wash) with ours you can! And it has a child lock on it, and senses how much you have in there and adjusts it's water levels accordingly!

Might be tricky in a post but can you describe how your machine agitates? Eg, if a top loader goes around horizontally and a front loader goes around vertically iykwim. :)

[kylza]

A top loader is never going to be as good as a front loader because the aggitation is different.

I love a front loader and would never ever go back to a top loader. FLs just clean stuff soooooooooooooo much better and use less water too. The only down side is that I usually drop 1 sock or similar on the way to the washing machine and I can't just pop it in after it's started.

we have an electrolux front loader and it has a pause button, which lets you add items like dropped socks.
Our's cost about $850 on sale is 8kg and 4.5 star & you can also get a rebate on this too.

[DivinelySophistimicated]

Even if you pause the machine, how can you open it to put a sock in...wouldnt the water jump out LOL

[Lunar]

Might be tricky in a post but can you describe how your machine agitates? Eg, if a top loader goes around horizontally and a front loader goes around vertically iykwim. :)

It doesn't have an agitator in the middle.
When on the high eco mode it uses minimal water and pushes the water up through the clothes so they sort of move in a fountain shape... does this make sense??? It is very difficult to describe.

This is what the book says:
High efficiency mode. (water saving)
In the high efficiency mode the aquasmart then fills with just cool water to lift the clothes off the low profile agitator so when it rotates, the clothes gently roll over each other. This wash uses similar quantities of water as nost front loaders and so, not only do you get the benefits of water savings but the higher detergent concentrations give optimum soil removal.

So, it does have an agitator but it is very small and looks more like a 'mound' in the bottom of the barrel rather than a big stick, IYKWIM.
Did any of that make sense?

[Lunar]

Even if you pause the machine, how can you open it to put a sock in...wouldnt the water jump out LOL

That's what I thought too....?:confused:

[tickle]

Even if you pause the machine, how can you open it to put a sock in...wouldnt the water jump out LOL

The machine uses such minimal water that it doesn't fill up, as such. My old machine used a bit more water, so you could not open the door, but you can with my new one. :)

[ikis84]

Thanks heaps!

I actually thought I would call around and try to get our old machine fixed... most places think that it will only cost about $70, and I found a place that will have a look at it for $30 if I bring it in (as opposed to $88 for a service call). So hopefully I don't have to get a new machine after all (because we really don't have the money, I would love one though :laughing:)

[Sheer Bliss]

Hubby doesn't want a front loader as he is tall and doesn't want to bend over to put stuff in the washing machine (pfft, he hardly does washing anyway)... also, I can't imagine it would be very nice to hand stuff nappies into the machine :barf:

So you can get toploaders that are like frontloaders in terms of efficiency, eh?

but on the otherhand - front loaders are MUCH gentler on your nappies than a top loader. My sis has a front loader, me a top loader, and her nappies are in heaps better condition than mine - much less piling etc.

Just read your last post - :fingerscrossed: it is nice & cheap to get your old one fixed! Our fridge died last week, so I understand what a horrid thought it is to buy new whitegoods when there is no $$ set aside for it!

[mummybunny]

aww its too bad your not in canberra, my dh reconditions washers and dishwashers, we could have fixed yours or sold you 1 of the 10 we have in the garage for half that price!!

we have a 7kg front loader to sell too lol oh well

[tickle]

Fingers crossed it's fixed easily and cheaply Ikis. :D

[hotpink]

I'm not a big fan of the front loaders either. . . However I'm sure there are some exceptions to the rule.

I've got a top loader Simpson (the biggest size one). I got it from the Good Guys with a discount for $750. The man at the washing machine repair place who tried to fix my European front loader told me Simpson were unbreakable, basic, strong and durable machines. .. I guess he'd know because he fixes them all the time . .

[Lipsmacker01]

We have a great Electrolux model here too...we paid over a grand for ours with an extended warranty.

If you get a front loader get it installed correctly, eg levelled as they can walk, esp if you load them incorrectly with towels.

[popetsmum]

DO NOT get a fyscher and pykle (sp) they are ****. our less than 4 year machine has broken down so many times. twice in less than 5 mths. Also our fridge is the same brand and it has broken down as well. I got a new washer but still stuck with the fridge!!:no:

[KapowSchazam]

also, I can't imagine it would be very nice to hand stuff nappies into the machine :barf:

You're SOOOO right with that one! :yes: I never imagined the practicalities or getting the nappies INTO the machine before I bought it :rolleyes: