NO MORE WASH DAY BLUES (Dyson CR01)

Member Name: wardenblw431

Product:	Dyson CR01
Date:	23/05/03 (2268 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Economical, Large load capacity

Disadvantages: Expensive

Our old Creda washing machine had done us proud. After 18 years of excellent service, things started to go pear-shaped. Old age kicked in and with that constant floods on the kitchen floor and expensive bills from repairs. The last time we had a fault we called out an engineer, the estimated bill to fix it came to about £450. Because of the age of the machine we couldn?t get an extended warranty so this meant we would have to pay the full cost of repair. I refused and instead paid the call out fee and sent the engineer on his way.

At the weekend Barry and I trawled around the shops looking for a suitable replacement. By now I was 9 months pregnant and not in the mood for shopping, but with an impending birth I knew we had to be organised. We had loads of washing to get through and there would be even more with a new baby.

In Makro we came across a Dyson Contrarotator. It was huge compared to the other washing machines on display and really bright and colourful, but in an attractive kind of way. However, it would stick out like a sore thumb in a traditional oak kitchen. Luckily for us we have a separate laundry room so our washing machine can be hidden.

The vast size of the machine is down to there being 2 large inner drums allowing you to load a whopping 7.5kg of laundry inside. Excellent then for washing double duvets. The reason behind having 2 drums is easy. The 2 drums spin in opposite directions mimicking hand washing meaning you get a more thorough wash, but at the same time using less detergent. The Dyson?s in-built computer can determine if you are washing large or normal sized items. Therefore, if you were washing a large duvet then the 2 drums spin in the same direction to prevent tangling or twisting.

Another handy feature is a timer. This is excellent for those who work as you can set the timer to end the wash just before you return so that your washing isn?t sitting in the machine all day.

The Dyson has a f
low-check system, which prevents flooding. You can keep an eye on the water level in the drums and if the water looks like it?s going to reach a dangerous level, the machine automatically switches off.

As with the hoover, the machine is brightly coloured. Our machine is white with a purple door and handle; the trims are blue and yellow.

For those with young kids, then this Dyson has another excellent safety feature. Two outer doors. The main door can be opened so that you can look in the window to check the washing and a second door, which has a child lock keeping your little monkeys out. The good thing about the Dyson is that as soon as the wash has finished there?s no long wait before you can open the door. You can open it immediately.

There is a built in coin trap to prevent small items getting into the working part of the machine and causing damage.

This machine is very economical to run as you can put a lot more washing in, some people might be as lucky to have to do 2 washes a week, one for coloured clothes and another for whites.

We paid £800 for our Dyson, which does sound a heck of a lot of money and yes, you?re probably right. But you are getting a really good washing machine. I would be lost now without my machine and after the shock of being told that my last repair bill would be in the region of £400, then I think I know what I?d rather put my money towards. Our Dyson was bought in a sale and I know that you can pay almost up to £1000 in some electrical stores. I would shop around though because since we purchased ours we have seen them cheaper on the Internet.

Six months on and I have no complaints about my Dyson. The machine is so quiet; you?d hardly know it was there. I don?t always seem to be doing washing like I was before. My only gripe is having to iron it all after. Still, can?t complain too much. Perhaps Dyson have another trick up their sleeve and coming up with an invention that irons
clothes on its own. Ah wishful thinking.

If it wasn't for the price then I would have given it 5 stars, but because it doesn't fit in with everyone's budget I've given it 4.

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