White Goods Blog:

Topical commentary, reviews, free advice, and special offers from the world of white goods in the UK

Although the majority of articles are highlighting special offers and discounts I publish many informative articles on white goods. You can find them by browsing through the white goods categories links on the left column.

Washing nets: Net to protect bra whilst washing

Washing bras in a washing machine can cause problems. In fact problems caused by washing bras are surprisingly common. Many bras should be hand washed only, but most people still put them in the washing machine.

The straps can get tangled around other laundry and even get ripped off of the bra if it gets caught between the drum and the door seal. A more common problem is that the underwires from bras commonly come out during washing and get in between the outer tub and the inner drum. This can result in an expensive washing machine breakdown.

Underwires are usually sown into the bra but they very often work loose due to the stresses of repeated washing. The main problems associated with underwires in a washing machine are when one works loose and gets down between the tub and drum resulting in the following possible symptoms -

Even Mrs Washerhelp refuses to wash her bras by hand. Over the years I’ve had at least a couple of incidences when a bra wire has jammed the pump on our washing machine and she refused to pay my call out charge to fix it ;-)

Apparently she’s had several incidents where a bra has got severely tangled up too. So when I recently discovered a special net designed to protect bras in the washing machine I decided to buy one and try it out.

The bra net is available on 4Washerhelp spares Wpro professional bra net

Bra washing net to protect bras

Here’s what I think of it -

It is a little bit pricey at £19.49 (and there’s a few quid postage and packaging too). However it is very well made and is likely to last, which justifies the term “professional” being used to describe it. It is made of much thicker and stronger material than most washing nets and is in fact bra-cup-shaped. I think the idea is for it to maintain its shape during the wash and in turn help maintain the shape of the bra inside.

It’s made of two layers of material, the outer material having larger holes in them in to let detergent and water easily inside and the inner material is quite fine. The whole thing is stitched together very well and has a quality nylon zip to open and close it.

You can only fit one bra inside, but it should protect one from tangling with other items of laundry, as well as preventing the strap getting trapped between the drum and the door seal. If an underwire comes loose it should also contain it inside this bag.

I would recommend it particularly for protecting an expensive bra, but at the end of the day even a cheap bra could do with being prevented from damaging the actual washing machine in the ways described above. Ironically a cheaper bra is more likely to lose its under wire or strap. You could buy at least four of these bra protectors for less than the cost of most manufacturers labour charges, or at least two for the price of getting a decent local repair man in.

My main criticism would be that it would be better if it was a bit bigger as large bras would be packed inside a little tightly and this could impede wash efficiency. At the end of the day though, bra underwires are responsible for lot of problems in washing machines.

Alternatives

Whilst on the subject of nets to protect laundry items in the washing machine there are a few other nets available too which a lot cheaper but basically just a normal washing net.

Wpro professional bra net (as reviewed)

Similar items

Related: If you think you have a bra wire stuck inside your washing machine there’s a little diy repair help on my forum about it - Something (bra wire?) stuck in washing machine

Footnote: You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve pulled out bra wires from a washing machine and a customer has emphatically said they have no underwires missing from any bra (which begs the question, what use are the bra wires if customers commonly never even notice when one goes missing?) Or they claim they have no bras that even contain underwires. They say something like, “I don’t have any of that kind of bra”. I can only assume that bra wires are fitted in many so-called normal bras but some people think they are only in the fancy, lift and separate ones.

I’ve even found bra wires in washing machines owned by single men but let’s not over analyse that. There could be a perfectly innocent explanation.


Written by Washerhelp on June 24th, 2008 with 1 comment.
Read more articles on Accessories for white goods appliances.


Research white goods appliances:To research all white goods appliances as well as most other consumer goods and issues, and read the latest reviews and best buy recommendations Which? Online offer a 30 day trial which I recommend. I've been a member for over a year now and wouldn't buy anything without consulting Which? first. Mind you, I like to think Whitegoodshelp is also a good resource for researching white goods :-) Reviews of 125 washing machines including over 30 top performing Best Buys

Comet Discount codes for appliances. Save 10%

The following discount codes are available for white goods at Comet (Expires 25/06/08)

£10 off any cooking or integrated appliance over £199 - Code: COOKSKITCHEN10

£20 off any cooking or integrated appliance over £299 - Code: COOKSKITCHEN20

£40 off any cooking or integrated appliance over £499 - Code: COOKSKITCHEN40

£60 off any cooking or integrated appliance over £699 - Code: COOKSKITCHEN60

£100 off any cooking or integrated appliance over £1000 - Code: COOKSKITCHEN100

SAVE 10% on all freestanding Washing Machines - Code: 10WSH

Save 10% on all freestanding Dishwashers - Code: 10DSH

Save 10% on all freestanding Fridge Freezers (excluding USA style Fridge Freezers) - Code: 10FFRS

Use the discount codes here - Comet discount codes

Written by Washerhelp on June 20th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Special offers on washing machines and white goods.

Currys discount codes - 10% off (June)

Currys are extending their 10% off codes for Medium Domestic Appliances originally due to end Monday the 23rd until Wednesday 25th June -

Use the following discount codes for 10% off -

AWEC10 10% off electric cookers
AWGC10 10% off gas cookers
AWDFC10 10% off dual fuel cookers
AWRC10 10% off rangestyle cookers
AWRCP10 10% off rangestyle cooker packages
AWBIO10 10% off built-in ovens
AWBIGH10 10% off built-in gas hobs
AWBIEH10 10% off built-in electric hobs
AWREF10 10% off built-in refrigeration
AWDISH10 10% off built-in dishwashers
AWLAUN10 10% off built-in laundry
AWEHOB10 10% off one box with electric hob
AWGHOB10 10% off one box with gas hob
AWCP10 10% off built-in cooking packages

Use discount codes at - Currys

Free delivery offer also still valid


Written by Washerhelp on June 20th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Special offers on washing machines and white goods.

Indesit error code F07

It seems that a common error code on Indesit washing machines is error code 7. This code can show itself as F 007 or with washing machines that have a rotating control dial the door lock light can flash in cycles of seven times.

This error code usually means, “heater relay stuck”.

The heater is switched on via a relay built into the main PCB. This relay is known to get jammed causing error code 7. In my experience this has usually meant a new PCB needed fitting and as the PCB comes without the main processor EEPROM chip one of those is needed also.

This repair is going to be expensive. I have heard anecdotally of engineers freeing off the jammed relay by giving it a firm tap. However, I would not expect such a repair to last as the chances are the relay would just get stuck again later on.

If a washing machine is still under the five-year parts warranty it would be cheaper to let the manufacture fit these parts but although the parts would be free the labour is going to be about £90.

Related links:

Written by Washerhelp on June 20th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Error codes.

£77 off Miele W4144WPS washing machine

I’ve just checked this Dixons offer out and it seems a good one. They have the Miele W4144WPS washing machine at £700 and it’s usually £777. A quick check at PriceRunner shows most people are currently selling it at £790 with 3 or 4 merchants selling it at £890.

Miele W4144WPS washing machine

NOTE: The price still shows as £777 - you need to use the discount code MIELE700 to get for £700 You should also get free standard delivery.

Miele Washing machine, W4144WPS

As usual, this offer is likely to last only a short while and the price may change.


Written by Washerhelp on June 19th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Special offers on washing machines and white goods.

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All work © Copyright Andy(ArT)Trigg 2007 - 2008: Feel free to quote but please link to the source.