Wasing Machine Problem(s)...

WetDaddy

The house we purchased about 18 months ago included a plumbed & installed HotPoint Aquarius (WMA31 or WMA36, can't recall which but they're similar).

However, it doesn't seem to "washing properly", is the best way I can describe the issue It functions fully, fills, drains, spins, goes through the entire cycle, etc. It just doesn't do a great job of cleaning. Consistently so!

For example, get a small amount of bolognese on an cotton t-shirt, there is absolutely ZERO chance of the washing machine (regardless of temperature) removing it. The clothes have to be pre-treated and soaked before going in, or else they'll stain. I know that bolognese is probably a bad example since it is prone to staining, but suffice to say that's never been a problem with any other washing machine we've used.

My initial suspicion was that there was an issue with the heating element and / or the thermostat. However, a trawl around Google leads me to beleive that the machine probably wouldn't go through the entire wash cycle if the water temperature didn't get up to the required heat. that being said, the clothes are not warm when the cycle ends, even if checked immediately. Not sure if that's indicative of a problem or not, though.

The issue is this: Do I pay someone to come out and have a look at it, or do I just bite the bullet and buy a new machine? Or, more preferably, would this be something I could troubleshoot myself? I'm happy to have a go at it, as long as I don't have to get involved in plumbing There are no LEDs nor anywhere to show an error / warning on the machine, so I'm not sure where to start.

Thanks in advance! Oh, and if anyone has any opinions, if we did go down the "new appliance" route, we'd be considering getting a washer / dryer combo. We don't have space in the utility room for both and, with Winter coming up, there is only so much radiator / clothes horse space in a 3 bedroom semi-detached house

delly

Thread moved from Electrical

bryaner

Better detergent??

WetDaddy

Thanks for the suggestion bryaner, but I'm happy to say that I've already tried that

Might it be blockage or similar? Something stopping the detergent actually getting into the drum correctly? I would assume I would see evidence of that somewhere, but I am getting a bit out of my league...

Mike2006

Take out the drawer where you put in the detergent and have a look inside. You might see 'caked' up washing tablets/powder in there that could be stopping the detergent getting to the clothes.

If you can clean it out, do it. Then put drawer back and pour a kettle of boiling water into the drawer to try to flush it.

Then put on an empty wash at the highest available temp (90 Deg).

This might do it for you.

Also while the wash is cycling, see if the drum is turning regularly. If the stains are not being removed, this could be because the clothes are not being agitated enough during the wash..

Mike.

UrbanSea

Just if you were going down a washer/dryer route,I can't say I'm a fan of alot of the brands. The LG ones seem decent,but may be a bit more expensive.

Solair

We'd a failed heating element on a Miele washing machine and it completed the cycle without telling us there was a problem. The clothes just didn't clean as well as you'd expect.

Try using a better detergent i.e. Ariel or Persil bio powder. Some of the liquids and own-brands are pretty useless.

Also, make sure it's a decent wash cycle and that you haven't overloaded the drum.

We've had a few Hotpoint machines of various types in various flats and houses and they've always done a decent job of washing.

Carlow52

last rinse is always cold

clock may be mechanical so it will press on regardless of temp.

put plenty soap in tray, select say 60 degree wash and feel glass once drum fills and starts to heat.: u should also see 'suds'

dobsdave

Do you live in a 'hard water' area?
Maybe your element is covered.
Also try the filter.(on the Zanussi, its on the front, bottom right)
That can block with material,stray buttons etc.

UrbanSea

Only last night we had to clear our filter,some sort of wire had gotten caught,the machine wouldn't wash at all. Sorted now though.