Great washing machine (Hotpoint WF541)

Member Name: Sarah

Product:	Hotpoint WF541
Date:	12/12/07 (478 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick washes, Varible spin and temp, Cleans clothes great

Disadvantages: None

My candy washing machine was become more and more unreliable and kept breaking down on a regular basis. I decided that I needed to buy a new washing machine that was more reliable, has a bigger capacity and more options than the candy had.

So I had a look online and found a silver Hotpoint washing machine £279.99 and decided that this was the model that I wanted. So went to currys that evening to purchase it. Delivery was very good I ordered on wednesday and the washing machine was with me on the Saturday afternoon.

On first inspection the washing machine looked very nice and much better than my old machine. Even though it looked a lot bigger than my old machine it still fitted snug into the space provided in my kitchen with ample room left.

Once the machine was installed I browsed through the manual but the machine is very easy to use someone could quite easily use the machine without the manual. The machine has many programmes:

1 Prewash
2 95 White cotton
3 60 Super wash Cotton
4 60 Fast Colours
5 60 Fast wash
6 40 Non fast colours
7 40 Synthetics
8 30 Cool wash
9 40 Wool
10 30 Silk
11 30 Fast wash
12 25 Hand wash
R&S Rinse and spin
FS Fast spin
SS Slow spin
PO Pump out

Before using the machine with clothes you have to run it on number 2 with no detergent or laundry. This is to eliminate any testing water and residue from the machine, its also to make sure the machine is installed correctly.

So I set this going and kept checking the machine regularly. Every think went fine with this load and it only took about an hour and half even though the manual states 2h 30m. When the programme finished I decided to put a load of dark colours in the machine. I was actually surprised how much more washing the machine could take. I decided to use number 4. Then I had to check all the options.

First there is a variable temperature dial which has the choice of no heat, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 95. If you leave it at 95 position it uses the maximum temperature available for that wash. I tend to leave it at 50 as I use 50 degrees most of the time.
Then there is the variable spin speed. This ranges from no spin, 500, 800, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 and 1400. If you leave it at 1400 then it uses the maximum spin speed for the chosen cycle. For this cycle I used 1000 as I had a few items that may shrunk with the 1400 spin speed.

Then there are five buttons with different functions to choose from.
These are wash enhance which basically can be used on 4 and 6 to make the cycle longer.
Reduced creases which reduce the drums spin speed to try and crease the clothes less.
Rinse hold which leaves the clothes in fabric softener water until your ready to spin and unload the machine.
Mini load which is for when you have smaller loads reduces the time and water use.
Extra rinse adds an extra rinse to the cycle.

Once you are ready to start the load add the detergent and start the machine by holding the start/ cancel button. The machine then starts to fill. The door lock light eliminates and also the wash light does. As the cycle continues the rinse/ spin light lights up and then the final spin does and when the cycle completes. The only light that stays on when the cycle is finished is the door locked light until the door unlocks the on/off light stays on until you switch it off.

The first wash went trouble free. The machine is not overly noisy. The spin can sometimes be noisy. But not as noisy as my old machine.

The machine is now just over 2 months old and I haven't had any problems with the machine. It is on at least once a day and is still going strong and I am glad that I purchased this machine.

The capacity is the main benefit I can get so much in one load it is great. Also when I do a bed change, I can fit a double set in the machine and two singles and the machines washes and spins this fine. I find that the spin on the machine cuts down so much time in the dryer. Even if I only spin the load at 1000 rpm the load is still dry in no time at all.

I would definitely recommend this to any one who is looking for a new machine. It is ideal for anyone large or small families and overall great machine.

Summary: Great machine recommend to any one

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