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Hi,
Hoping someone can help me here as we are at our wits end, having bought what we thought was a “decent” washing machine.
We have an AEG L14850 washer/dryer, which is just over a year old. Since we’ve had it, my partner and I have both had severe skin problems (itching/dry skin) and have only recently tied the timescale to getting the new washing machine.
In short – the machine is really bad at rinsing (full details below). The water comes about 1/2 – 1″ up the door on most rinses (other than woolens cycle, and if put on a rinse-only cycle where it’s much higher). This is similar, if a tad less, than on our old Bosch WVD24520GB.
We have noticed that this machine does not do many intermediate spins between wash, and rinses. On the cottons cycle, it only spins between rinse 3 and 4 (not after the main wash or after rinse 1/2). Does that sound correct, or is it a programming error? The Bosch machine (and it’s Zanussi predecessor) used to spin after every rinse, and the main wash, which may explain why it rinsed better.
Detergent-wise we use Ecover non-bio liquid (and have tried powder too). We have always used this detergent, so nothing’s changed there.
We use a TINY amount of liquid (Ecover recommend 1.5 capfuls, we use 0.25 of a capful), plus the Ecover laundry bleach on white shirts loads.
Even using that amount, and with the “extra rinse” turned on, the last rinse water always looks soapy and when the 1400 rpm spin happens, soap foam is sent round the rubber/door.
This never happened in our old Bosch machine (or the Zanussi WJD1665W we had previous to that).
Most loads have to be put through a separate rinse program after being washed, to give another 3 deep rinses. That of course uses a huge amount of water, and adds 40 mins or so to each cycle – and is a pain to have to do!
The ‘Jetsystem’ is working fine and a good jet of water comes out. The machine is put on a 95 degree maintenance wash every 4-6 weeks. The water is all pumped out OK.
Any thoughts or help gratefully received! Should we sell it and buy a Miele (or a high-end Bosch/Siemens), or are they just as bad at rinsing given new regulations with water use etc?
(incidentally – the problem with the Bosch was that it died after just 2.5 years and was always a noisy machine. It was also pretty bad at drying. The AEG is, to its credit, very good at drying and not creasing clothes, and has a lovely almost-silent motor.)
Thanks in advance for any help!
Graham
Re: AEG L14850 poor rinsing
You never mentioned if you have inspected the drain filter….have you? And if your machine drains indirectly into (for example) a shared drain with the sink unit, that too needs checking for potential restriction of outflow. Both of the above can affect what you are experiencing with poor rinsing. 😉
Re: AEG L14850 poor rinsing
Hi and thanks for the response.
I have checked the drain filter (all fine), and also the drain hose + pipework the drain hose drains into. I’ve watched the machine empty into the standpipe, and it gushes out the drain hose, and the standpipe copes with the amount fine – it’s not blocked. The machine empties the water fine, so I don’t think that’s the problem.
I think the issue is that (a) it just doesn’t use enough water on the rinses, and (b) it doesn’t do enough intermediate spins to get rid of water/detergent. In fact on the ‘easy care’ programs, it doesn’t do any decent intermediate spins between rinses. Before the last rinse it does a very slow (400-500rpm) spin for about 20 seconds, and that’s it, which seems unusual for a modern machine that uses so little water.
It always does its final spin with no problems, though, and the machine is correctly levelled etc, so I don’t think balance protection is the issue either.
Thanks,
Graham
Re: AEG L14850 poor rinsing
I’m guessing you must live in a soft water region or have a domestic water softener installed? Most guys on here have not on single good word to say about Ecover, I can vouch from experience at using that gunge myself (I have softened water by the way) I even complained at length to Ecover about their product and all they did was to apologise and send me more of the ruddy stuff!
Can I suggest two things, just as a trail if you like: –
1) Do try another brand
2) Reduce the amount of clothing in the machine each wash.Incidentally, I don’t think there is any issue with the programme sequence so that can be ruled out.
HTH?
Re: AEG L14850 poor rinsing
Hi
Are you using the correct amount of detergent according to machine instructions. you could be over doseing.
Most new machines use less water for washing,so the amount of detergent needs to be adjusted accordingly.Washman
Re: AEG L14850 poor rinsing
Hi,
Thanks very much for the responses. We will try another brand and see what happens. Another thought – is there anything you know of that can be put into the last rinse water (in the fabric conditioner compartment), to “kill” the soap?
We live in Crawley, West Sussex. A recent water hardness test showed we are in a moderately-soft water area. We do not have a water softener.
Re. the amount of detergent we use – as in the original post, Ecover recommend 1.5 capfuls for a 7kg machine. We are currently using just 0.25 of a capful (which is just over 1 teaspoonful) and even that seems too much. Trouble is – much less, and the clothes start to not come clean!
If it comes to it we are prepared to change the machine. Can any of you guys recommend a washer/dryer that:
– is as quiet as the AEG one is (this model has the “super silent” system – an inverter motor I believe, and is virtually silent, which is heaven in an open plan house!)
– is known for rinsing wellThe high-end Siemens models (IQ700 I think) seem to fit the bill with this and Which rate them well for noise/rinsing, but what are they like in reality? Is the motor as silent as the AEG one?
I know washer/dryers are not liked on this forum (and I understand the reasons why) but we really don’t have anywhere else to put a separate drier and although only really used in the winter, it is very useful sometimes.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Graham
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