This machines awash with features (Hoover Six.Express WDM120)

Member Name: Charris2002

Product:	Hoover Six.Express WDM120
Date:	14/11/08 (255 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Now very cheap

Disadvantages: We had major problems

The WMD120 is a combined washer/tumble dryer. It is currently retailing at a very reasonable £160 as it now no longer the latest model.

Features included are:

An express wash button, which can reduce washing time by considerably e.g. up to 50 minutes on the longer cycles. However, this should only be used for cotton and synthetic material - results are good on such items, with no discernible loss of 'cleaning power'.

A 6Kg option for use with cotton only - it increases the amount of water and increasing the length of the cycle to improve wash performance. To me, unless cottons are very dirty, I don't see that I would want to increase the length of the washing cycle too often!

90° Whites - May only be used on programme 1 for whites and/or linens, increasing the temperature from 60 to 90 degrees. This is ideal if you wear white shirts for work, as I do occasionally! It does increase the washing cycle time but not to a great degree.

Economy - May be used on all programmes, and limits the temperature by not heating the water from your hot water feed. It simply washes at hot water supply temperature, therefore reduces energy usage.

Speed Wash - Allowing a complete washing cycle in 30 minutes for a 2Kg load - I advise this is used only for lightly soiled items though!

Extra Rinse - For those with skins sensitive to detergent, this provides an additional safeguard against your clothes retaining the traces of he detergent used.

A built in self-adjusting water system ensures that optimum amounts and power are used for each individual wash - not only are you avoiding unecessary costs, you are also minimising the damage done to the environment each time you wash.

There are 3 separate programme groups available - cottons, synthetics and delicates, to ensure your pure new wool sweater remains in top condition.

The drying function may be selected at the time of starting the washing cycle or following completion of the washing cycle - a timer allows you to 'guesstimate' how long drying will take and heat selector is available (low or high). The dryer can be too effective - more of that in a moment.

For the techies - this particualr model has a maximum speed of 1200RPM (a 1300RPM version is available) and is 59.5cm wide, 55.5cm deep and 85cm high.

In terms of the cleaning results, this machine is excellent, it is very quiet, there is no apparent vibration or movement, it is as attractive as a washing machine can be - white, simple control layout options and buttons, door lock safety button, and a large loading smoked glass effect door. The detergent drawer is easily removable for cleaning purposes and is easy to clean - no little nooks or crannies where detergent can lurk for months. Either liquid or powder detergent may be used equally as effectively -it's really a matter of personal preference.

Now for the downside. Wepurchased this machine very recently and although washing results are superb, we have already had major problems with the drying function - 2 pairs of the girls pyjamas, 1 pair of trousers, 2 tops and 1 T-shirt have been reduced in size to fit a barbie doll. (Ok, so I exaggerate a bit, but not by much - suffice to say, they are no longer of use to any of us). We called out Hoovers repair service, who duly arrived, on time and with a smile said he knew exactly what the problem was, it was nothing serious and would be fixed in no time.

Wrong. Apparently, the electronic reset on the dryer function of these machines is somewhat temperamental and it should be a relatively simple matter to reset this and return your pride and joy to full working order. This is a problem that he states Hoover are fully aware of. However, after two attempts to reset this., it became apparent that this had not done the trick. What in fact had happened was that this reset had actually burnt out. Given that the dryer function had only been used twice, I pointed out that this was somewhat worrying in a brand new machine. No problem he says, this happens quite regularly with this model - what happens is that this reset switch is set at too high a temperature at the factory before despatch. Again, a fact of which Hoover are aware. Unfortunately, he did not have the requisite part with him and would have to order it direct from Hoover!

It would probably take a couple of days. Now my first reaction was to get the machine replaced - however, I really couldn't face the seemingly obligatory confrontation required to achieve this. However, I am somewhat annoyed to say the least about the destruction of some expensive clothes. I have been unable to find a customer service contact anywhere for the manufacturers - plenty for their service contractors (GIAS, who only deal with repairs and installation problems) but none, including on their official website, for Hoover themselves.

Following this, the machine has now developed 2 leaks - one of which is fairly obvious, in that the water streams out of the door. Okay this may be a faulty seal but come on, the damn things only a couple of months old. The second leak is more insidious, and I'll be blowed if I could trace where it came from - eventually, it turned out to be a fault with the drum.

To sum up, this machine seems like a good value, cost efficient, energy conscious product, BUT with major flaws apparently in Hoovers' quality checking processes - the electronics that control the drying function and leaking, I'd check around to see if these flaws have been addressed before buying this particular model.

This review first appeared on Ciao, under my name MarkKerr

Summary: A good machine if the flaws have been fixed!

Reliability:
Ease of use:
Design:
Cleaning/Maintenance:
Quality: