Washing Machine

[paulfr]

Anyone using hot water in their washing machine at home ??

Any suggestions or warnings for someone buying their first machine here in LOS ??

Thanks

[COBBER]

Anyone using hot water in their washing machine at home ??

Any suggestions or warnings for someone buying their first machine here in LOS ??

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've never had a problem washing with cold water.

Most of the top loading machines sold here dont have a pump so you cant run your waste water into a sink. You have to run it to a floor drain . You might want to keep this in mind when working out where you put the machine.

Edited October 17, 2005 by COBBER

[ProThaiExpat]

Many machines come with a hot water making element so you don't have to install a water heater just for the washer.

A new arrival I know just paid 1700USD for a combination washer and dryer in one machine. I paid 30k Baht for a huge dryer and a separate washer with hot water on demand. Both machines operate independently and the wash and dry gets done at double the speed than if it was in one machine.

Stacked machines work well when you have a space problem. Most Thai machines are "top loaders", however, a tumble washer (side load) agitates the clothes a lot more for a cleaner job, in my opinion.

While most clothes do well with only cold water if the detergent is right, for very white whites, hot water can't be beat.

[Digger]

If your getting a maid be very very carefull about what machine you buy. I have lost count of how many shirts and t-shirts have been ruined because my maid never remembers to change the temperature setting. In hindsight I wish I had just bought a cheap twin tub with nothing more complex than a start button.

By the way my machine is an Electrolux something or other and it cost about 25K 3 years ago. Also the lazy cow uses the tumble dryer for everything even its a lovely bright sunny day as they are side by side and she just takes one out and puts it into the other machine to dry. Finally they also have no concept of weight in a washing machine - I regularly saw her jamming in so many clothes that she could not even close the door - no surprise that the machine flooded and left soap residues in all my clothes.

[lou62]

Just wanted to commend P T Expat on his knowledgeable reply, (I manage a laundry) and the advice he has given is spot on, most clothing requires only a short cool wash ( 40 degrees or less) for shirts that have been worn for a couple of hours or so, the less water you use for the main wash in a side loading washer the better, as you get more mechanical action taking place (friction between the garments and the pounding from the paddles on the inside of the drum) with lots of water the garments swill around (this is best used for woolens/delicates) to reduce shrinkage and damage. Most domestic washers have many settings for programmes that most people don,t bother to use, but familiarise yourself with them and you will keep clothes clean and looking newer for longer.

cheers, Lou.

[paulfr]

Well just to inform those who may be interested ...

We found that at Emporium/PowerBuy we could get a front load, 6Kg load, internal hot water, output pump equipped, machine from LG for under 20KTHB. We went with a more expensive model that had larger capacity, higher spin rates (800 => 1400) and direct drive (fewer parts => reliability/longer life).

I assume we paid top Baht as Emporium is never cheap, but i could not find a reputable retailer easily and Emporium usually stands behind their products. In fact the lady said if we move, they would move the washer for us for a small fee.

The folks at Tesco Lotus were just very poor salepeople; that is when we could find one, and then they could not speak English which makes the information flow necessary for decison making impossible.

Delivery is in two days.

JFYI

[armortec]

I went hunting for a top loader with pump assisted drain and I found one! The whirlpool. It has hot water and with 4 compartments for automatic dispensing of bleach prewash, wash and softener. It has hot water wash setting.

Price is real bargain for 16k with free installation and breaker installation.

But so far I have not used the hot water function, because it is not necessary and I am very very pleased with the wash performance.

Well just to inform those who may be interested ...

We found that at Emporium/PowerBuy we could get a front load, 6Kg load, internal hot water, output pump equipped, machine from LG for under 20KTHB. We went with a more expensive model that had larger capacity, higher spin rates (800 => 1400) and direct drive (fewer parts => reliability/longer life).

I assume we paid top Baht as Emporium is never cheap, but i could not find a reputable retailer easily and Emporium usually stands behind their products. In fact the lady said if we move, they would move the washer for us for a small fee.

The folks at Tesco Lotus were just very poor salepeople; that is when we could find one, and then they could not speak English which makes the information flow necessary for decison making impossible.

Delivery is in two days.

JFYI

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[CarlBkk]

I went out to buy a decent but cheap washing machine but came back with one of the new Samsung Silver Nanos (10.5kg). Absolute beauty...fell for it on looks alone. As far as washing machines go, Siemens are meant to be the most reliable followed by Whirlpool and Electrolux. Electrolux tend to need repairs frequently (coming from my mother who's a kitchen designer).

The silver nano costs 50,000 B at Central but hit it when they have a fair or sale and get a huge fridge/freezer thrown in. Instead of that, we negotiated a discount of 10,000 baht + vaccuum cleaner + fan + extra discount using Central Card. Still expensive, but happy with its performance and the music it makes at the end of a wash! Nice to be able to pile in tons of clothes at once for a change.

[paulfr]

The silver nano costs 50,000 B at Central

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does it have hot water ? Internal or External ?

What is the 'silver nano' and why is it better .... anyone know ?

I am a bit disappointed at the small loads and long wash times with this front loader, but fortunately we are not a large family. Might have gone for the top loader if doing it again if I could find internal hot water feature. I was told the top loaders do not have it.

[sierra01]

I have a General Electric side loader, a year old now, and no problems. I use cold supply only and the internal element heats the water to whatever temp I’ve set it at (usually 40C), having a hot supply would help decrease the wash time, that’s all.

[Jai Dee]

... but happy with its performance and the music it makes at the end of a wash! 

Important selling point there Carl.

[CarlBkk]

... but happy with its performance and the music it makes at the end of a wash! 

Important selling point there Carl.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For sure. Washing machines are so dull anything gimmicky like this will influence the decision :-)

The Silver Nano can use hot or cold water for the wash - I had cold only supplying it and it heated it up pretty quickly. The quickest wash is about 50 mins though, but it's ###### thorough and silent too. Silver Nano (as in various publications including Time mag) is a new technology developed by Samsung which uses silver ions in the washing process (if you select this option) which then attach themselves to the clothes, making germs and bacteria unable to attach themselves for lengthy periods of time. Useful for Bangkok living I imagine! Can't say I've felt or noticed the difference so very hard to prove if the technology is worth the R&D added cost, but again...like the music...it's a nice added touch to liven up the washing procedure ;-)

[JohnC]

I found this very interesting as I am about to invest in a new washing m/c, however I dont recognise any of the shops mentioned except for Tesco Lotus so is there a Central or Emperor or similar in Pattaya? I know we have a Home Pro and Tesco Lotus and Carefour and Big C can anyone add to where to look?

[Gary A]

The first one I bought was a front loader with a hot water heater built in. The wife hated it and always said it did a poor job. We now have a much cheaper LG that is programable and will do a lot larger load. No water heater. I didn't care one way or another except that I do like clean clothes. I would say to let her pick the one she likes. The wife has several different cycles programmed into the machine and she is pleased as can be. It's a good thing it will do a large load because the one cycle takes over an hour.