Which washing machine should I buy?

[Lolliesmum]

Hi there

My old machine is reaching the end of its life. I was intially thinking of buying a wash/dryer combo, but I have heard that the dryer does not dry that well.

Just wanting to know what brands/models people would reccomend?

[Lipsmacker01]

My Electrolux 6.5Kg Front load washer has been great weve had it for a couple of years now. Weve worked out that it only wastes 4c a load of washing! This is based on the economy mode. Only downside to this is it takes 54 mins and thats the minimum time we have on this machine. Weve never had any dramas with it, does a great job.
Id def stay away from the washer dryer combos too...only ever heard bad things about them myself as well. What if you need to use both at the same time? That used to happen to us occasionally, esp when my girl was a cloth bum.
If you are concerned about the space, you can always wall mount dryers. Productreview.com is where I usually like to go to check out reviews on the latest things. I find that site pretty handy!

[lunawolfspirit]

i also go to productreview.com.
i am looking for a washing machine my self I have been doing a lot of online research, so here is what I found, warning very long post.
so a few things you have to look at is price, space, water electricity ratings, what type of washing powder is uses, some top loaders use front loading washing powder, front loader washing powder cost more then top loader. Do you want a top loader or front loader? If you need a quiet machine as some are noisy and make beep noises.
How to change the settings: Electric control pad (most common) or the ones you twist and pop down (harder to get but are better as it will last longer) lots of questions to ask you’re self.
ok so my situation is im buying one next week, ive been hunting for a while. I am getting a top loader 9.5kg with a 4 star water rating, so I also get the Sydney water rebate of $150
space: i have a huge laundry and i dont have to worry about space. i am going for a 9.5kg machine. You may need to measure the space you have and buy to fit that area.
Size: you need to think of how many kids you have, how many will you be having. So you want to wash doonas and blankets, are you’re kids bed wetters. How much laundry will you be doing now and in 5 years time? That’s why I am going with a 9.5kg good family size washing machine. So I can get towels and blankets done and out of the way. im a mummy to be for the first time and i already do alot of laundry with a 5kg machine and i just know this is not big enough for when baby comes.
noise: my laundry is down stairs so i dont have to worry about noise from the spin cycle or the beep a machine makes to let you know it has finished...if you have babies sleeping or something i guess this can wake them up.
cost: im am coming in to some money so i will be paying cash and i have a good budget to work with, i also love to haggle and i like to think i get a good price. if you are low on funds they have the no interest till 2010 sales on atm. they are good as long as you can keep up payments so you pay the machine off before the end date.
brands: productreview.com. i am looking at a simpson or an electrolux. go on to sites like bing lee and look at the products listed, find ones that appeal to you then do a search and see how the reviews turn out. you dont want to spend $1000 on a machine with a bad service reputation. i have heard fisher and pykle are great machines, but trying to get them fixed is a night mare same with other brands as well.
warranty: get 5 years, pay for the extra warranty. it is worth it!
Settings: what settings do you need the machine to have, how many different types of fabric, what water levels ect and how are the settings changed electric key pad or twist buttons.
Water and electric consumtion, how does that affect you, what kind of stars are you looking at, do you get a water rebate if you buy a machine with 4 water stars?
i would not buy a washer dryer combo.
i would recommend a top loader over a front loader, ive never owned a front loader but I have neck and back injury and it is better for me. Also u can pop things in one the water has started so if you drop a sock on the floor and the machine has already started you can still pop it in unlike with a front loader, that sock as to wait till next wash.
If you go a top loader you can get machines with an agitator and without, get a machine with an agitator. You can also get machines with out a lint filter...you have to have a lint filter, they say you don’t but I have done the research and you NEED a lint filter.
I hear front loaders are more costly to fix. But with the extra warranty you are good to go for 5 years

ok i think thats it
if you are in a situation like me and like the sound of the type of machines i am looking at
the two machines i am looking at getting are
SIMPSON swt955sa 9.5kg or the
ELECTROLUX EWT9sa 9.5kg both have 4 stars so i get the water rebate. and both are very similar in specs. the simpson has some pop and twist controls as well as electric where as the electrolux is all electric controls. but the reviews for the simpson are not the greatest, people have complainant's about the noise of the spin cycle , but the electrolux is so new on the market there are not many reviews to read.

now i just have to decide what one lol.
Happy hunting and good luck :doh:

[Chunkydunks]

I have a Fisher and Paykel 8.5 kg(??) Aqua smart. Its the top loader that washes like a front loader. Its the only top loader that has the wels 4 star rating so therefore attracts the rebate. I could not be happier with it. DH has a bad (broken) back and I'm a big girl so front loaders were out of the question. It was really the only top loader I wanted after looking at them all and all their features. Some of my family have said i was silly for getting another Fisher and Paykel after my other one died but it died because it was stored under my FIL's house (enclosed but not dust, dirt, wind proof) for 18 months. All the points to the electronic panel had rusted out so there was no fixing it. Wasn't the manufacturers fault.

[LivinOnAPrayer]

we've ordered a new LG washer dryer combo. it is $1099 for the combo, which i think is great. 7kg washer, 4kg dryer i think. i cant wait! our washing machine has had it too

[Lolliesmum]

Thank you ladies, that has given me something to think about, I will definately check out the product reveiw site. And lunawolfspirit - what a reply!! You have definately done your research!

[Lastcenturymum]

I have a Kleemaid - expensive, but when guaranteed for 25 years - can't go wrong - had it about 15 so far and so problems. There was another thread on this a couple of weeks back, so do a search and you might get some more info (or just the same :D)

[lunawolfspirit]

yeh i think the thread you are talking about was mine,

i was looking at the keelmaid but the size i would want doesnt have lint filter ...same with westinghouse and maytag. no lint filter!! at first i was thinking thats no biggy but with the reviews people said it made the clothing look unwashed.

so a lint filter is a must.

so the two machines i want in my size with a lint filter and an adgiator are the electrolux and simpson.

[lunawolfspirit]

oh and another tip is if you want a front loader, something to ask the sales person is if they have do they have a child lock as kids can fiddle with the controls. thats not so much of an issue with a top loader.

[Lolliesmum]

I didnt even think of making it child proof! I am certainly going to be for a shock when DD is on the move - its nice at the moment, when I put her down she is in the same place (sometimes a different angle) when I get back!:laughing:

[Friendly]

I would go the Maytag front loader, expensive but well worth every cent! It is great! Perfect machine, perfect wash and great on your clothes.

I now have an Ariston front loader and regret it big time after only 3 months has already broken down :thumbsdown:

Regarding not been able to stop front loaders after you have starting a cycle (eg you have forgot to put a sock in..) allot of them you now can pause and door releases. Also of you do not like bending to load them, you can by stands for them to able you to load without bending.