Washing Machine with Steam Option?


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Thread Number: 41790
Washing Machine with Steam Option?

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Post# 616145 8/10/2012 at 17:45 (4,275 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)
Checkrate/Likes Hi peeps... I've been pondering over getting a washing machine with the steam option and I would like to share my thoughts with you in view of some nice advice ;-) The reason why I came to this decision is because I and my partner have recently upgraded our membership to the local sports club (we can now use all facilities including the pool at any time of the day everyday) and we tend to end up with lots of lightly soiled laundry which requires a light quick wash or just a refresh cycle in the dryer. The shortest programme on my current washer is 30 minutes long and sometimes I feel that some of the stuff we get back from the gym doesn't even need that... e.g. things like damp towels and bathrobes used after a shower. I'm ok with sweaty stuff and I don't mind a proper wash cycle even longer than 30'... although I'd still appreciate a newer machine equipped with a quicker programme for washing the swim wear which doesn't require too long a wash (especially for just a pair of trunks and a swimming suit). Now... the main reason why I created this thread in the 1st place was for asking you guys for some feedback on the steam cycle on modern washers... your experiences with it and if it's really worth bothering with. I'm sorry, I got sidetracked earlier :-P 1 last thing... is it even possible to get a 6kg washing machine which incorporates the steam option? I don't want a massive washer and there are only 2 peeps in my household... besides I start yawning when I see a mountain of clean laundry to put away. Thanks in advance every1.

Post# 616271 , Reply# 1 8/11/2012 at 04:24 (4,275 days old) by HotpointFan (United Kingdom)
Checkrate/Likes *Not a lot in the steam market!* LG have steam, they are quite common to have steam, as well as the 6 motion wash system. Also, Hotpoint have steam in the newer Aqualtis models, but they can be upwards of �700... But, on second thoughts, if a 30' wash is too long, how about the new Candy Evo with a 14' wash? I chose this espescially, as I know you like Hoover/Candy :) But, if a new Candy Evo was to be purchased (like the one in the link), what would become of the Nextra... Thats all from m :) CLICK HERE TO GO TO HotpointFan's LINK

Post# 616275 , Reply# 2 8/11/2012 at 07:35 (4,275 days old) by aegokocarat (United Kingdom)
Checkrate/Likes Whirlpool has some very nice looking aquasteam models on the market, but the drums in those and the lg and hoover/candy models are very big, the whirlpool has a 9kg drum, the lg also has a 9kg drum and the hoover has an 11kg drum. Hope this helps :) Tom :)

Post# 616297 , Reply# 3 8/11/2012 at 10:47 (4,275 days old) by dyson2drums (United Kingdom)
Checkrate/Likes I have an LG True Steam F1479FDS5 which is a 9kg washing machine. The steam refresh program lasts 20 minutes for 3 items, 19 minutes for 2 items and 18 minutes for 1 item. I've used the steam refresh program to get rid of odours such as bbq, cooking etc. It works as it got rid of those smells. However, for swim wear, gym clothes etc I just use the Quick30 program either at 30oc or 40oc as the sportswear program only has an 800rpm spin and on the Quick30 I can select max spin. What i'd like is to have a program like the Express20 in Miele's where you can select the temperature from cold to 40oc, have interim spins and be able to select maximum spin if required. Flexibility in programming is very handy. I think Bosch's Super Quick 15 can be programmed to wash from cold to 40oc, not sure about iterim spinning and what the max spin is for that program.

Post# 616344 , Reply# 4 8/11/2012 at 14:33 (4,274 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)
Checkrate/Likes *Hey thanks guys!* I don't understand why we can't get a 6kg with the steam option... eerrrr :-P HotpointFan, I've looked at the Hotties and the Whirpools and they seem to do their steam model with 9kg drums or larger. The Candy EVO has got no steam but the quick 14' cycle would come handy for petit loads, however this is also rather big with an 8kg capacity. I couldn't help noticing that this machine has the exact same dimensions as my 6kg Nextra (which I would keep in any case, maybe she can retire in the spare room for emergencies: I heard of people waiting a whole month to have their washer repaired... imagine how frustrating that would be!). Aegokocarat, the 11 kg Hoover is far too big although I seem to have seen an 8kg model somewhere but it's still too big for my liking and I'm not sure it's even available. I came across a 7kg LG with the steam option, this would come closer to my preferred size but I suspect this model has been discontinued as I can't see it in shops. Dyson2drums, nice to hear your views from first hand experience with this kind of cycle. Do you still need to put them in the dryer afterwords? It strikes me as being rather effective being able to remove those annoying smells... I usually put things straight in the hamper as soon as my nose detects the slightest odour! I had to deal with some damp towels/bathrobes earlier but they were still clean so I just bung them in the dryer on low heat for 20 minutes and they were ok after that... so I was happy with that. That was the nice bit... but there something else! I also had a pair of swim shorts and a swim suit tucked away in my backpack and they were as wet as if they were still inside the pool... so I thought, right... I might as well put them in the washer for a spin only cycle. The machine spun as instructed... but when I opened the door to empty the content I almost choked with an ovepowering chlorine smell! So, I closed the door, I added a drop of detergent and I set it on a quick wash. They're ok now but I feel I'm just wasting resources by washing 1/4 of a kilo load in the washing machine. I'm shopping online for more swimming garments... never thought of that as an option :-P

Post# 616346 , Reply# 5 8/11/2012 at 14:51 (4,274 days old) by jetsystem1200 ()
Checkrate/Likes If you want a small capacity washing machine with a quick cycle to refresh things, how about the Bosch Classixx WAE28368GB? It has a Super Quick 15 minute cycle which would be good for smaller loads and it has a smaller 7kg capacity which, while not small enough it seems, would be fine. Plus it will have better build quality than anything Hoover/Candy makes.

Post# 616348 , Reply# 6 8/11/2012 at 14:59 (4,274 days old) by aegokocarat (United Kingdom)
Checkrate/Likes i do recall whirlpool producing a 7kg steam model, but thats now been discontinued :(

Post# 616360 , Reply# 7 8/11/2012 at 15:44 (4,274 days old) by solsburian (SE Northumberland)
Checkrate/Likes If you are after something a little bit different, you could have a look at Smeg. Our Siemens capacity was a bit too small for us (it's not with my Stepdad) and we got a WDF147S washer dryer to replace it. So far it seems great, feels as though it's built like a tank and gives great washing/drying results too. They also do an equivalent washing machine too. They also have a Rapid 15 minute wash that while doesn't use as much water compared to the BSH machines equivalent programme, still has a good wash action. CLICK HERE TO GO TO solsburian's LINK

Post# 616491 , Reply# 8 8/12/2012 at 03:22 (4,274 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)
Checkrate/Likes *Hi back...* Looked at the Bosch WAE28368GB and the Smegs... they're both 7kg and they have a very quick cycle for refreshing those ultra small loads. No steam option on there either. They're quite elegant and very classic looking... I'm more inspired by a modern looking machine like Whirpool, Candy and Hoover. I find the Hotpoint Aqualtis and the Indesit Prime range quite stylish too but these last 2 brands comes further down in my list. I adore some Miele models as well but I'm not prepared to break my bank willy nilly unless they offered something really worth fighting for ;-) I saw a steam cycle on a V-Zug washer and I liked the way it operates... it works almost like a tumble dryer with nearly continuous drum movements. That takes me to my next point... don't they offer some tumble dryers with the steam option too? It might actually be worth replacing my dryer which is even older than my washer and it's becaming a real headache when it comes to close the door and expect it to work. Having said that, I could just get a new door latch... again! Anyway, thanks 4 all your input guys, I've got one more idea about tackling the swimwear wash issue I was talking about earlier, but I haven't tried it yet... I'll let you know when I do. TTFN

Post# 616496 , Reply# 9 8/12/2012 at 05:30 (4,274 days old) by dyson2drums (United Kingdom)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Haxisfan Once i've used the steam refresh cycle I put the clothes on the washing line for 5/10 minutes as they are a little moist, nothing compared to wet washing. I've never really put them in the dryer after a refresh cycle. I thought of the 7kg LG with the steam option yesterday, looks to be the machine with the lowest capacity and with the steam option. Appliances online still sell it, if you're unsure if a machine is still sold anywhere just type the machines model in Google shopping. As to steam tumble dryers, the only ones I know of are the Electrolux iron aid which i've not seen in a few years and the new LG True Steam tumble dryer (Heat pump).

Post# 616511 , Reply# 10 8/12/2012 at 08:31 (4,274 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA)
Checkrate/Likes So Haxifan, maybe you need a washer on the small side. It's not like Speedos take up much space!

Post# 616513 , Reply# 11 8/12/2012 at 09:40 (4,274 days old) by jetsystem1200 ()
Checkrate/Likes Well, my Zanussi ZWH7162J only takes 20 minutes on its Synthetics 30 Super Quick cycle and this cycle has quite a high water level as well! It is great for refreshing things and the results are actually quite good. Also, it is very quiet and the times that are displayed are often over-estimated. The ZWH7162J was discontinued recently, so your best bet is the ZWH7142J, which does not have an inverter motor and has a slower spin speed but is still very well-built.

Post# 616523 , Reply# 12 8/12/2012 at 10:24 (4,274 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)
Checkrate/Likes *Hey... hullo!* Neptunebob... yeah... perhaps a portable suzy homemaker would be nice... possibly battery operated so I can keep it in the boot of my car (where would I get the water from though... the radiator? Perhaps not!). Dyson2drums... that 1 seems ideal, at least it's not 9 or 10 kgs... I'll certainly consider it. Jetsystem1200, your 20 minute short cycle is rather good... I don't see all that much difference whether it's 15 minutes or 20 ;-) I tried something different just half an hour ago and I think I've probably solved my minute load swimwear washing issue! I simply put the trunks and the smimsuit (which amount to approx 250g) on the synthetic cycle on cold with the time-saver option activated. By setting the machine like this, the main wash lasted less than 10 minutes. I left it alone until it completed the first rinse (about 17' including interim spin) and I set the washer on a spin only cycle (less than 3 minutes). All in all, I got a complete wash cycle (without fabric conditioner) in approx 20 minutes with a teeny-weeny amount of detergent and using approx 12 litres of water with excellent chlorine free results. This wasn't totally automatic as my intervention was needed once, but it seemed feasable enough... until I get fed up with it :-P Laters

Post# 616734 , Reply# 13 8/13/2012 at 06:36 (4,273 days old) by glenfieldmathk1 (Glenfield-Leicester-UK)
Checkrate/Likes *Hotpoint Futura 8KG* I don't see why you seem to be dismissing larger capacity models. If you don't wash a full load, these days the machines adjust the wash cycle to the capacity being washed. Plus when it does come to a full load, at least you can fit it all in, without having to do two washes, which will save you a bit on the energy bill. Hotpoint have launched an 8KG Futura washing machine with Steam (WMFG8337 1300rpm or WMFG8537 1500rpm - Comet, Curry's, John Lewis). Hotpoint steam is different to Miele & LG steam models, simply because the Hotpoint has no separate steam generator. Instead water enters the bottom of the tub, and then a Titanium alloy element heats the water to boiling, the steam then comes through the drum and upwards, which actually penetrates the fabrics better than LG & Miele machines, as the clothes have steam passing through them, instead of it just being injected from the top of the rubber door seal, and going upwards, which means it won't come in to as much contact with the clothes as it would passing through the clothes. The machine has a steam cycle that lasts 20 minutes to refresh clothes, such as towels and refresh gym kit etc. They also have a Steam Intensive option which after the main wash water is drained, and 20 minute stage of just steam is carried out, meaning steam actually goes into the fibres and doesn't condense as I hear on an LG the steam is basically wasted, it cools as soon as it hits the clothes, and not pretty much point in having it. This is ideal for towels, bedding, white clothes etc, and it does feature bed+bath cycle, whites cycle, and anti allergy cycle. Also this is a new design Hotpoint with fast main wash agitation, deep rinses and better load detection, and also features super silent motor. The Candy has a loud motor, and I was told when distributing full of water and a full load, this noise can get up to 90decibels, which is extremely loud and could damage your hearing. Also Hotpoint sell a 9KG Ultima with the same steam options as above. The Aqualtis is too large for you at 11KG, but that has steam too. The Bosch would probably be next best with a 7KG capacity, and 15 minute express wash. If you get there quickly, you may be able to find the last of the old Bosch stock, with 6KG capacity and no Display. Also what is happening to the Nextra? would this be placed in storage, sold, or used as another machine? Goodbye:)

Post# 616735 , Reply# 14 8/13/2012 at 06:37 (4,273 days old) by glenfieldmathk1 (Glenfield-Leicester-UK)
Checkrate/Likes You could also try a Bosch or Siemens steam dryer.

Post# 616785 , Reply# 15 8/13/2012 at 12:04 (4,273 days old) by aquarius1984 (Planet earth)
Checkrate/Likes *HAxisFan* Im not exactly sure what your wanting? I am also unsure of the motives? Using a regular rinse and spin to quickly rinse out your swimwear is choking you after the cycle? God knows what your like swimming at the pool in full chlorine concentration considering the much diluted bleach left in the swim wear :P Im pretty sure regular swimmers just do this and hang their garments up overnight to dry off before next use and just have a weekly wash along with normal stuff. Have also seen swimmers wash out their garments in the pools facility bathroom sinks or under a shower with a bit of hand soap and I presume they just hang over their washinglines/showers or bath tubs at home until the next use. As for the towels, they will still be removing dead skin, oils, regardless of how clean your skin will be and will require some degree of washing eventually. Perhaps if you dont drag them on the changing room floor and take them into the sauna im quite sure 2 to 3 days use will be fine but I fail to see beyond just hanging them up to dry on your regular towel rail in the bathroom and wash them normally when they are due. Seems a waste of money for something easily achieved other ways.

Post# 616792 , Reply# 16 8/13/2012 at 13:03 (4,273 days old) by nrones ()
Checkrate/Likes *what for?* currently i am on 3 week vacation on the Adriatic sea - which is very salty, so much I almost damaged my bathing suit. Here's the most rational thing, that I doo these days, towel - every 2 or 3 days go on a standard washing hamper for a regular towel wash. Inbetween just as soon as you come back from the pool hang those towels somewhere so they will dry - no need for a dryer... for the bathing suit/underwear, every day just take a tiny bit of detergent, and put them ''through water'' by hands, takes me 2 minutes to get done, after that just hang dry aswell. I think it is by far the quickest, easiest, time saving than any quick washes/steam/etc... Dex P.S Just an extra unneccecairy info - Hoover steam models also do it like a hotpoint - load water under the drum, heater does it's job, therefore no steam generator. Also, why only bigger models (8kg and more) have steam? because on such cycles (unless you can put more than one item) clothes need a lot more space to move inside the drum. And actually for the steam, tumble dryer is therefore much more natural envirenoment. glendfieldmathk1, I don't know who were you told buy, but Candy's hitting any higher number than 81db is a COMPLETE nonsense. Remember that while washing it only takes up to 800 with water for a few seconds, and yes, that is more quiet than 1600 afterwards. Otherwise other numbers would have been written on the EU energy label. By the way, in the autumn you should expect changes that we already got here. 1600rpm evo now is making 51db during the washing (instead of current 60), and 75during the spin (instead of current 80). Anyway that is still to come on your market.

Post# 616807 , Reply# 17 8/13/2012 at 14:47 (4,272 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)
Checkrate/Likes *Thanx again peeps!* Glenfieldmathk1 cheers for that info on how steam works on different machines, I thought it was normal to have a separate steam generator... now I know how it is! As for machine sizes, I know what you mean, even Nextra has the automatic variable load from 1 to 6kg, but my wash load it's only about 1/4 of a kg worth and it wouldn't even need the minimal 25l wash cycle (I think other machines would do the same and recognise the smallest load as 1 kg). I solved that now though, as I am changing the cycle manually after only 1 rinse and put the machine on spin only. Aquarius1984, I had a collection of thoughts, from washing the swimwear to quickly refreshing the towels/bathrobes, togehter with my desire to get a fresh appliance... so perahps I got a bit sidetracked and I didn't put my point across very clearly. About the chlorine smell, I didn't rinse and spin, I just spun the items (spin only) as they were still dripping wet, thinking that I could've just let them hung somewhere afterwords without making a mess, so the bleach odour was very real and it needed a proper rinse out or a light wash. I absolutely agree with you about dead skin cells left on towels and such like, in fact these items do indeed go for a full fledged wash after a few uses. Nrones... you lucky so and so... I'm glad you're having fun ;-) I know that it seems more logical to deal with swimwear by quickly rubbing a bit of soap and a quick rinse by hand, but it's just the way I'm organised which accounts for different reasons... like the fact that my house is rather damp as I'm already hanging everything indoors (I havn't got a garden) and the last thing I want is to leave unspun stuff lying around... and anyway I've even damaged items by wringing water out of them by hand. As Aquarius and you suggested I also wash my towels after some use, but I need to dry them in between (and after being in the dryer they're all fluffy, wrinkle-free an nice again). Anyway, I think this thread has definitely served its purpose for me and I surely have clearer ideas now... I guess this has been possible through things you all said and things I worked out for myself. Love ya all ;-)

Post# 616885 , Reply# 18 8/13/2012 at 23:18 (4,272 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA)
Checkrate/Likes Haxisfan, maybe if you invested in some regular swimwear you would have more of a load for a washer along with the towels. If swimwear is 250 grams it must be a Speedo. I know Europeans don't like to waste resources but Speedos are expensive so maybe they are worth taking up a whole cycle. So don't feel bad if its not a full load. That chlorine odor could be caused by peeing in the pool reacting with the chlorine. But don't be ashamed, after all Ryan Loche pees in the Olympic pool. Nrones, you must have a cheap off brand of Speedo, because real Speedos last a long time.

Post# 616973 , Reply# 19 8/14/2012 at 09:09 (4,272 days old) by hotpointfan (United Kingdom)
Checkrate/Likes *haxisfan* Yes, keep the Nextra - waiting for repairs is so annoying! Our Bosch washer broke over Christmas, so it could not be repaired until new year! So, drastic measures had to be put in force. Six days before Christmas, we went to the local independent and bought a refurbed Hotpoint WM62P, which was brilliant for all the laundry piled up, as well as Boxing Day washing of tablecloths etc! The machine was then sold via eBay after the Bosch had been fixed. Best wishes hotpointfan

Post# 616984 , Reply# 20 8/14/2012 at 09:54 (4,272 days old) by glenfieldmathk1 (Glenfield-Leicester-UK)
Checkrate/Likes @Haxisfan You may find that drying your towels on the radiator or washing line after use would be very beneficial. During these summer months, towels dry even if the radiator isn't on after a swim, as they aren't as wet, and don't need a rinse every time you go swimming/gym! Just wash after 3-4uses! We also use the utility door handle to hang Speedo's and swim shorts (I wash swim shorts after 2-3 uses) to dry, not needing a wash. In terms of Steam models: LG, Whirlpool & Miele all have steam generators Hotpoint, VZug, Electrolux (In AEG) all use the heater element in the tub, and heat to 100C for perfect steam. Hoover - Not sure on the method (Maybe nrones knows) @nrones - my local retailer (The co-op electrical store) were selling the Candy on offer, saying it is deafening - the rating plate even said 90db wash, but only 81db spin? Could be a printing error, though the manager was very concerned, and said "I won't be stocking Candy in my store again, it's too cheaply built, and too loud". A shop assistant had purchased one, and said it broke down within 4 months, and the reason, the motor burnt out, and she said it is so loud compared to any other machine. She said it was louder than her old machine. Luckily here, we do have some Hoovers with silent motor, so if you want quiet from Candy group, choose one of the Hoovers with Silent motor.

Post# 617012 , Reply# 21 8/14/2012 at 12:35 (4,272 days old) by Haxisfan (Europe - UK / Italy)
Checkrate/Likes *Whoops... I was so engrossed into swimming that...* Hey Neptunebob... I should get some advise from Ryan Loche then :-D Also thanks for making me lough... I'm just coming back from work and I often found my facial mussles rather relaxed at this stage :-P Glenfieldmathk1 don't believe a word of what the idiotic retailer said... maybe he/she has a personal grugde against Candy. I saw and touched the Evo in person in at 1 of the Comet branches and it appeared and felt very well built. As for the noise, it stands to reason that their documentation was heavily affected by a printing error... lots of them around believe me, or maybe it was a prank! It stands to reason that the machine on wash at 800rpm cannot be louder than when it's on full spin at 1400/1600. I've also seen tons of great reviews on the Evo. Also, there was an Evo on YT some time ago and it didn't sound any louder than any other machine with a brush motor... although they're not all the same: e.g. the Indesit I hosted for a few weeks was way louder than Nextra!

Post# 617045 , Reply# 22 8/14/2012 at 17:23 (4,271 days old) by glenfieldmathk1 (Glenfield-Leicester-UK)
Checkrate/Likes *@haxisfan* Well, they are a Bosch centre and have previously been a Hotpoint Centre, as it is one of Co-Op's premium stores.

Post# 617986 , Reply# 23 8/17/2012 at 21:13 (4,268 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA)
Checkrate/Likes *Glenfieldmathk1,* Now since you wear Speedos can we see you wear them? And how do you decide whether to wear Speedos or "swim shorts"? Meanwhile, how do you wash them? Is it for different beaches which swim wear? Because I have seen pictures of Russians wearing Speedos and it is not pretty. As for Ryan, well, he explains the strong chlorine smell. Urine + chlorine = Chloramines which are the odor (Rich knows about this, but I don't think he swims and I don't want to see him in a Speedo) CLICK HERE TO GO TO neptunebob's LINK

Post# 618558 , Reply# 24 8/20/2012 at 05:11 (4,266 days old) by glenfieldmathk1 (Glenfield-Leicester-UK)
Checkrate/Likes *I admit it neptune bob.. I've peed in the pool!* I have peed in the pool, I am happy to admit that, everyone does, the chlorine in the pool kills all that pee, hence it doesn't really matter whether you do or not. Thats also why they put Chlorine in (along with killing body sweat, removing spit, and sun cream residues etc). I was once a competitive swimmer, swimming for local swimming club, and entered various open meets/swimming events. As I got older though, I slowed down a bit, so now just go a few times a week to a swimming club. I am quitting in September, as now have a full time job as Chef, so Can't make most of the swimming sessions. I wear speedo's when I go to these sessions because swim shorts/baggy shorts etc add to resistance, giving a different movement through the water. I usually wear swim shorts when go for public swimming in the local swimming bath's. When I go to the gym, I take speedo's so I can take a shower (its a changing village - so you can't walk naked from changing cubical to shower cubical!) As for pee, a quick rinse of swim shorts, swim trucks(speedo's) in the shower after swimming is enough to rinse off all those residues, you don't need to run a full wash cycle/rinse cycle in the washing machine. Hanging them up when you get home, lets them dry ready for use again. Finally-I am happy to take a photo of me in Speedo's, just won't upload it to here, you would have to send me an email address either on here, or facebook (Laundry Laundry Mat) or youtube (Glenfieldmathk1).

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