Guest Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 I do wonder if having the internet, and associated availability of too much info makes purchases more stressful now! Anyway ... washing machine packed up on sunday, 10yr old basic model, cost £200 ish. Didn't bother repairing (new PCB would be £120 ish) as felt it wasn't worth the expense. New machine purchased (after hours of comparing electricitywater consumption, load capacity, etc etc). So ... we live in a very hard water area ... do I add Calgon (or similar to every wash)? Or just run a limescale remover through the machine once a month? The costs of calgon daily versus monthly limescale treatment are almost identical. So I guess the main question is whether daily calgon means less electricity is used to heat the water, and the inner workings are not damaged by limescale build up? And, oh lord, fabric softener ... all a big con? Any benefit? Allegedly keeps clothes less creased .... and I do like a nice crisp work shirt! I feel like I should be posting this on mumsnet..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StainlessSteelCat Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Regarding fabric softener, it definitely makes a difference with towels. Don't know about ironing as I have not done any for nearly 20 years now. But I would experiment and see what the results are. Limescale takes months/years to build up before it becomes a problem. A monthly hot wash with white vinegar, soda crystals etc will be enough to keep your machine sweet. Chances are that it will not be limescale build up that eventually kills your machine. Regarding purchases, it helps if you give your leisure time a monetary value. An hour researching = £30+ in my mind. I start with the cheapest brands and work up. Missus likes a big TV and I've found the bottom end of the market perfectly acceptable in terms of picture quality, longevity and energy efficiency. TVs also tend to have problems in the first few weeks, and then last for years if they survive that time. Washing machines I go for long guarantees, reviews that mention reliability and energy efficiency. I think our Samsung has a five year guarantee. I chose the vendor on the basis they would take away the old one. Computers. When you use something for 10+ hours day - I prioritise good experience, reliability and customer support. For me, that means Lenovo Thinkpads or Apple. Increasingly, I'll shop at Amazon because the customer service has been exceptional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 What colour is the new machine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEATH Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 27 minutes ago, MrPin said: What colour is the new machine? #whitegoodsmatter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bossybabe Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 I once asked my dad, who was a water chemist, analysed water from all over the world and recommended treatments for water used for dyeing the cotton industry. Yes Calgon (not supermarket brands that are differently formulated) is worthwhile if the machine you're using is worth protecting. if you bought a cheap washing machine it's probably not worth using as the amount you'll pay for Calgon will cost more than the machine costs to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spunko2010 Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 google Calgon reviews and there's your answer. Does more harm than good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lid Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 I wouldn't get into a spin over it tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hovis Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Having discovered fabric softener I now use it in every wash; all clothes are softer and less creased and easier to iron. Soft water area so don't know on that. Yes, the mumsnet merger is on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashmonitor Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 If this was 1960 then I could understands the anxiety...126 guineas... just under £3,000 adjusted for RPI probably about 10 grand adjusted for wages. That reminds guineas was one of my nominations for words we don't use anymore. would have stuck to one of these back then..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgul Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 A type of buyer's remorse. Understand that it is a part of your psychological make up that you should try to ignore (probably...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnionTerror Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Is this the first official sighting of Mr Pin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 7 minutes ago, Dave Beans said: Is this the first official sighting of Mr Pin? A left handed mangler? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEATH Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 I hate to say it but buy German stuff, Bosch or Siemens (unless they start making them in China). I worked for 4 years dealing with "extended warranties" at the largest private company at the time, we would get 100-200 Hotpoint repairs a week and something like 1-3 Bosch a MONTH for stuff under 4 years old. Of course people bought the cheaper machines in higher numbers, but still... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 I have a Korean waschingmaschienzeitthingy! It plays a tune at the end of the cycle. I really like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The XYY Man Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 8 hours ago, crashmonitor said: would have stuck to one of these back then..... Ah - a "poss tub"..! There was one of those in my granda's shed. Right next to the tin-bath - underneath which you'd discover a pile of black-and-white jazz-mags containing naked ladies with air-brushed fannies... XYY The dog's kennel is not the place to keep a sausage - Danish proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notMyName Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 14 minutes ago, The XYY Man said: Ah - a "poss tub"..! There was one of those in my granda's shed. Right next to the tin-bath - underneath which you'd discover a pile of black-and-white jazz-mags containing naked ladies with air-brushed fannies... XYY The dog's kennel is not the place to keep a sausage - Danish proverb I always remember finding jazz mags left in the wood etc. Youngsters have it so easy now, don't have to leave the house, just type into Google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The XYY Man Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 1 minute ago, Reebo said: I always remember finding jazz mags left in the wood etc. Youngsters have it so easy now, don't have to leave the house, just type into Google. Agreed Reebs - the bushes in our local park were full of well-thumbed "art-pamphlets"..! XYY The dog's kennel is not the place to keep a sausage - Danish proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
council dweller Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 I have a 4 year old Tesco machine....£140. As soon as it shows any sign of breaking down it`ll be straight down the tip. 4 years for 140 quid beats the Germans ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChewingGrass Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 Asked the then Comet repair man what were the machines he had the least call outs to becauss all I wanted was a dryer that would last more than 3 years and he said LG. But then he paraphrased that by saying just get the cheapest one and throw it away as they all mostly have the same parts in them anyway. We typically getting through a tunble dryer one every 3-4 years and a washing machine every 5-6 years and do 2-3 loads a day so we batter them to death. Indesits are my favourites as I can fix them myself now and the parts are very cheap if bought online, typically bearings and water inlet valves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notMyName Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 2 to 3 loads per day? What are you washing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChewingGrass Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 4 minutes ago, Reebo said: 2 to 3 loads per day? What are you washing? All the sports gear of my three male twentysomethings who won't/can't leave home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidg Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 14 minutes ago, ChewingGrass said: Asked the then Comet repair man what were the machines he had the least call outs to becauss all I wanted was a dryer that would last more than 3 years and he said LG. But then he paraphrased that by saying just get the cheapest one and throw it away as they all mostly have the same parts in them anyway. We typically getting through a tunble dryer one every 3-4 years and a washing machine every 5-6 years and do 2-3 loads a day so we batter them to death. Indesits are my favourites as I can fix them myself now and the parts are very cheap if bought online, typically bearings and water inlet valves. I generally buy Aristons - but I think they are Hotpoint now. I have one that is 11 years old, we do around 4 washes a week, hard water area, no Calgon, perfect. Have another sitting in the garage in reserve just in case. I've just replaced a 20 year old Ariston in a rental property, pcb had burned out, 2 minutes on Curries to find something comparable. Siemens are good though. Miele, not so sure, know quite a few people who have had expensive repairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The XYY Man Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 15 minutes ago, ChewingGrass said: Asked the then Comet repair man what were the machines he had the least call outs to becauss all I wanted was a dryer that would last more than 3 years and he said LG. But then he paraphrased that by saying just get the cheapest one and throw it away as they all mostly have the same parts in them anyway. We typically getting through a tunble dryer one every 3-4 years and a washing machine every 5-6 years and do 2-3 loads a day so we batter them to death. Indesits are my favourites as I can fix them myself now and the parts are very cheap if bought online, typically bearings and water inlet valves. So your white-goods guru worked for the now defunct chain of "Comet" stores then Chewy...? "Hoisted" and "Petard" come to mind.... XYY The dog's kennel is not the place to keep a sausage - Danish proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChewingGrass Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 He only visited once, I watched, learned, and took the teachings of the guru onboard. Once you have gained wisdom repairing the tin box with naff all in it is as the meerkats say 'simples'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnionTerror Posted October 28, 2016 Share Posted October 28, 2016 2 hours ago, ChewingGrass said: Asked the then Comet repair man what were the machines he had the least call outs to becauss all I wanted was a dryer that would last more than 3 years and he said LG. But then he paraphrased that by saying just get the cheapest one and throw it away as they all mostly have the same parts in them anyway. We typically getting through a tunble dryer one every 3-4 years and a washing machine every 5-6 years and do 2-3 loads a day so we batter them to death. Indesits are my favourites as I can fix them myself now and the parts are very cheap if bought online, typically bearings and water inlet valves. The cheap machines typcially have sealed drums, so if a bearing goes, its cheaper to replace the machine... I'd go for LG, Samsung and perhaps Grundig for good mid-rangeish machines...They all come with five year warranties too, so you know that they'll last five years.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.