This is an updated article about washing machines “exploding”, which was previously published in mid 2011 on my original site Washerhelp. (If you are looking into exploding door glass – you need this article instead door glass exploded).
If the drum has exploded out of the washing machine then continue reading.
Hotpoint Indesit & Hoover Candy washing machines exploding
I’ve been following and collating people’s experiences of exploding washing machines for a few years now, which started abroad. The first reports were mostly of Hoover & Candy washing machines (see links at bottom of article) but for some reason focus has shifted to Hotpoint and Indesit washers even though I have over 20 reports of Hoover or Candy washing machines doing the same thing.
Manufacturer’s first assured us that UK washing machines were not affected, which turned out to be untrue. Then they decided there was no need to warn any customers with an official safety notice, which was heavily criticised by Which? Then they assured BBC Watchdog that only two models were affected, which again turned out to be untrue and gave a false sense of security to many.
Last night BBC Watchdog did a second feature on this story (the first being in November 2012) and both Indesit and Hotpoint have now accepted they need to issue a proper safety notice, and have done (links below).
What's happening?
The inner drums of these washing machines are coming undone at the seams or splitting on spin, which is causing the laundry and parts of the metal inner drum to burst through the top of the (plastic) outer drum and through the plastic lid and control panels.
Due to the strong centrifugal forces involved on high spin the washing machine mechanically explodes throwing debris across the room.
Sensationalist headlines
My original article was picked up on several months ago and made headlines around the world, many of them sensational.
However, it does appear that washing machines with this potential to explode are in use all around the UK. Manufacturers all over the world typically try to mitigate safety issues by quoting how only a very small a percentage of the hundreds of thousands built have been affected. Whilst true, surely the only thing relevant is the potential consequences, not the percentage?
Taking their argument to its logical conclusion, if a child was killed by a product with a known design or manufacturing fault a manufacturer would try to say it’s only one child but there must be a million children unaffected. Therefore it’s not the frequency – but the potential danger and seriousness that should drive this sort of thing.
What if you have one of these washing machines?
Hotpoint and Indesit have issued statements saying
“The incidents outlined has been identified as a technical issue with a very small percentage of washing machine production during periods of 2007 to 2009 could be affected. [sic] ”
Forbes rent appliances and specialise in renting Bosch appliances so they know them inside out. They also rent other brands and many other products – more details at Forbes
Official Hotpoint & Indesit Safety Notices
Please let me know if any of the above links stop working
The faster spinning washing machines appear to be the problem, particularly 1400 or 1600 rpm I've commented many times before on Washerhelp that in my opinion many modern washing machines spin too fast for their quality of build. Plastic outer tubs (or drums) also play a part in allowing this sort of thing to happen, which couldn't happen when we had metal outer tubs.
Spinning at such high speeds puts a lot of stress and strain on a washing machine and involves powerful forces. Do manufacturers increase the quality of motors, drums, suspension etc. when they make them spin much faster? As far as I'm aware, no they don't.
If you are concerned, you need to check your model number using the above links. If your model number isn’t officially affected but you don’t trust that it’s guaranteed to be safe the best thing you can do is –
- Make sure people stay out of the room the washing machine is in when it's spinning – especially children. Pets also.
- Stop letting your washing machine spin at full speed by changing the wash programme, or preferably if you have options to reduce the spin speed of the final spin reduce it to 1000 rpm or as near as they will allow. If you are seriously concerned maybe even down to 800 rpm. Logic dictates that the faster one is spinning the more likely and the worse an incident could be.
I can’t guarantee these tips will prevent any incident, and some may argue it’s an over reaction to even follow these steps. People have to make up their own mind. It is true that statistically it’s very unlikely to happen to any specific washing machine, presumably even ones with affected model numbers.
The main thing to bear in mind is to limit people’s exposure to them whilst doing a load. As with all washing machines and other appliances like dishwashers and tumble dryers my advice is to never leave them on totally unattended or when in bed.
PREVIOUS COMMENTS TRANSFERRED: I’ve decided to copy and paste all previous comments that had been added to this article when it was on Washerhelp for reference. Therefore the first few pages of comments below will appear to have come from me.
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
PREVIOUS COMMENTS TRANSFERRED: I’ve decided to copy and paste all previous comments that had been added to this article when it was on Washerhelp for reference. Therefore the first few pages of comments will appear to have come from me. If you have new comments to add please do.
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
6th October 2011 – Lorraine Hughes
My Candy Washing Machine which is approx. 2 year old has blown up in my kitchen today causing damage to the worksurface which has been blow off the wall. Thank goodness nobody has been hurt. This is obviously a serious problem with this machine. What to do now.
7th October 2011 – Amy
I am a researcher for the BBC and I am keen to speak to anyone about Candy washing machines. If you can help please get in touch with me on 02920 322983.
8th October 2011 – Sarah
I bricked myself… My Candy CWB 110 (which i brought 2008 1100rpm) was shaking more violently today, but I wasn’t really that concerned until I could smell burning plastic and white smoke billowing out from behind and the detergent drawer…. shan’t be using it until I get it checked out! maybe a lucky escape who knows!
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
19th October 2011 – Merry
My mum bought a hoover washing machine in September 2008, and on saturday 15th Oct 2011 at about 11am, 5minutes after my mum put it on it exploded. There was a loud bang and the drum had twisted and spiked out of the top of the machine. There was bits of broken plastic everywhere, a brush that was on top of the machine had skewered itself an inch and a half into the ceiling and the blast had dented the freezer next to it.
All of our clothes that were in there were totally ruined. It also managed to blow 2 of our electrical fuses so the telly stopped working as soon as the blast happened. Thank God we didn’t have any small children running around because it could have killed someone or seriously injured them. The company has been very apologetic and they want to view the machine and issue us with a new model. Its actually made me and my mum quite scared of washing machines now :(
9th November 2011 – Rachel
We had a Indesit washing machine which violently exploded in March 2011. Luckily my children were in bed and not around when it happened. I contacted Indesit who replaced the washing machine but would not admit the problem was serious and warranted a re-call. I advised Trading Standards and WatchDog but have not heard anything since.
11th November 2011 AM – Jim
Our 2 and half year indesit exploded a couple of days ago, rang indesit and they are replacing washing machine and paying for all damage too worktops and clothes
11th January 2012 – carol cuthbert
I bought an indesit 1600 spin speed washing machine in ~November 2009 and it exploded last week. I had to wait a week until they could get an engineer out to look at it. It exploded and cracked the worktop above it, the unit next to it and it shunted my dishwasher over and knocked the side support for the worktop of.
The engineer came out to look at it and said he has never saw anything like it. He went outside and phoned Indesit and came back in and said someone will phone me this morning. so I am waiting on their call. The plastic drawer and another piece of plastic blew out the front and hit me on the back, though I was well padded so it didn’t cause any injury.
My 2 year old granddaughter was sitting at the table about 6 feet to the side of the machine and started screaming. Although the worktop was cracked I dread to think of the amount of damage and injury would have been caused had it not been under a worktop and ‘wedged’ in between the cupboard and the dishwasher as the top completely blew off.
11th January 2012 – Lesley Checkley
on the 10th January I heard a loud shattering noise from the kitchen, it turned out to be the glass in my Indesit IWB5113 washer shattering throwing glass across the kitchen and the largest piece which was still attached at the top was dragged inwards on the spin cycle slicing through the dog bed inside.
I expected Indesit to be interested in this but I have had no reply to my email, on phoneing Dixon I did get an engineer to call but he was rude and basically said it was my fault for putting the foam dog bed in the washer which he says would have cause the washer to shudder and the glass to smash!! I AM NOT AMUSED, call this customer service!
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
11th January 2012 – Craig Capewell
Our Indesit 1400 rpm washing machine brought in 2009 has just exploded this evening. The drum has ripped through the worktop and sprayed debris everywhere . Its a good job our kids were not near it as it could have done some serious damage. We have called the manufacturer and they say they have not heard of this before… i beg to differ as looking through the internet this seems an all too common occurrence. Indesit insisted it was not there fault but a manufacturing matter. I await a manager from the manufaturers to call me tomorrow.
8th April 2012 – Penny
My hoover washing machine has exploded today – 15months old!!! What the hell is going on? Thankfully it was in the cellar and no one was hurt. The machine only had 3 items of clothing in it at the time. There is glass everywhere, its even damaged the rubber sealed and the plastic inside the drum. I hope HOOVER will be simpathatic on Tuesday (Easter Holidays!)
14th May 2012 – Janet Walker
Our Hoover vision washing machine did the same thing on Sunday (13/05/2012).My husband was in the lounge and heard a horrendous bang like something had exploded.He ran to see what it was and saw smoke coming out of the washing machine drawer and quickly turned off the mains electric.There was a smell of burning.The drum had completely collapsed and looked like it had bounced up through the top of the machine as the chipboard top was torn apart.Inside the machine looked like a grenade had gone off and there was mangled metal and bits of plastic everywhere.There was a normal load of everyday items of clothing in the machine and nothing which could have caused a problem. A pair of trousers was caught up on the broken drum and damaged. Goodness knows what could have happened if we were all out at the time as it may have caught fire. I rang Hoover today and they are sending out an engineer to survey the damage, so at least they seem to be taking this seriously.The machine was registered with them and the lady i spoke with said it was manufactured in 2008 although we purchased it new from Comet in early 2010, so it appears it is one of the faulty pre 2009 machines, trust us to get one ! I only hope we get a new machine and some compensation too.
23rd May 2012 – karen grogan
My indesit washing machine blew up yesterday the lid and control pannel flew off and the inside just collapsed I am waiting for a phone call from indestit it was made in 2008
7th June 2012 – Keith
Well,I can see why we are all having the same problem,pleased I fopund this site.I gave my daughter a present of a new IWB 5113 Indesit, at this time I should say she was luck this time around. The machine is only 20 nonths old,Black toxic smoke came out of the back of the machine. Being and engineer and now retired, I felt that I had to investigate what had caused thi serious fault. I stripped this machine down to inspect what had caused the problem. The drain pump had a leak on the pipe from the drum it was a small weep,it got into the motor of the pump and burnt through the coil which explode with a bang,it also burnt out components in the pcb board at the rear,this situation as happened from what I read here a number of time,This make this machine dangerious and not fit for purpose, especially if children are about. This situation could be avoided by adding small in line fuses in the supply wires with low ratings that rupture on overload and would avoid this type of damage, I have written a report and sent this to the store were this machine was purchase along with digital photographs,to prove the faults. This machine is an health and safety issue.
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
26th June 2012 – Eleanor Wharton
My Indesit 2008 purchased machine has just blown up, dials blown off, door blown open, lid blown off, work top side damaged and pushed out, which shunted my free standing oven, drum half ripped back on itself, plastic everywhere. Luckily neither I or my young children were in there at the time and to think of the times I have sat my youngsters in front of it as they love watching it as babies!!! waiting for an engineer to come inspect it!!
24th July 2012 – sarah
Our indesit washer/dryer was not yet 18 mnts old when it exploded black smoke loude bang unusually no major damage but seems the smoke was caused the stone weight that broke and was grating on belt? Prior to thus happening the bolts keep coming lose
28th July 2012 – Kirstie
Our washing machine blew up last night and is an indiest brand!! After reading this and other articles i feel lucky our washing machine was in the cellar and not in the kitchen. I’m also shocked these machines have not been recalled as expensive damage could have been caused had it been in the kitchen!! Let alone serious injury to owners safety.
18th August 2012 – Kirsty Morgan
Oh my goodness i am so horrified to read this! I was just trying to look up what was wrong with my washing machine and found this. Earlier this eveing my Hoover washer was on spin (1400) and i could smell a burning smell. As i turned to look at the washer there was smoke billowing out of it. I turned the dial to off and switched the plug off at the wall. The smoke continued to pour out until my kitchen was really hazy. My washer is only about a year old but having read this article i wish i’d never bought a Hoover product!
27th August 2012 – Anna ewers
It was my washing machine that blew up missing my six year old by seconds our machine was in the laundry which leads out to the back garden my children are constantly running past in all fairness Hoover replaced my candy with a top of the range Hoover washing machine they also replaced my tumble dryer which was dented when the top flew off the candy and also paid a reasonable compensation for the clothes torn up in the drum, all on the same day however they didn’t believe my machine had blown up and there were parts blown from the laundry thru the kitchen and as far as my bathroom doorway I asked for and sent an engineer out within an hour I told them I’d found articles from Germany of similar cases and I’d contacted the papers to warn other people about it as the type of people who buy this size washing machine need a larger drum because we have so much washing to do having small children or a big family the lady I first spoke to said she didn’t care if I’d been to the papers she was really rude so I went over her head and straight to head office who were fab! I am passionate about this model being recalled before someone is seriously hurt or worse!
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
15th September 2012 – Jillian Hey
My Hotpoint super silent washing machine exploded on Thursday 13th of September 2012 luckily my ten year old girl was at school it is only a matter of time before a child is killed.
16th September 2012 – tracey storey
My hot point washer blew up on September 14th 2012,#my 15 month baby and i and my husband was stood in front of it it was like a bomb in my washer,my kitchen units are now ruined im now waiting for someone from hotpoint to ring me monday 17th let’s see eh mm? Some one needs to sort this out and do a recall and compensate us for damages of our property and clothing etc,some one is going to get killed soon
21st September 2012 – Sarah Rosser
Hi I’m a new victim of this problem. My washer was on spin last night and supposedly being a silent spin I thought it had become a bit noisy. As I approached the kitchen to switch the machine off it exploded in front of my eyes. It. The drum has smashed through the sides and top of the washer and in doing so has also smashed the side panels of my kitchen sink unit. My kitchen in devastated. I haven’t contacted Hoover yet but will do as soon as possible. I am shocked that this has been going on for so long and nothing done about it
27th September 2012 – tracey storey
I must say now that indesit/hot point customer service have been very good and are dealing with the incedent so far so good
29th September 2012 – janet jones
My Indesit machine exploded in the same manner as those quoted above on Wednesday 26/09/2012. The machine is pre 2009 luckily no-one was in the kitchen when it happened just heard an almighty bang. I haven’t yet contacted the manufactures as I have a Domestic & General policy for it so have to wait for the repair men to assess it. Any advice would be appreciated in case I am not offered a straight a replacement due to the age. I was really annoyed to find out this fault has been known about but no action taken to check these appliances.
30th September 2012 – Washerhelp
NOTE: I have a journalist interested in featuring someone affected by exploding washing machines in That’s Life magazine and are willing to pay for an interview. If anyone affected is interested please contact me and I will put you in touch with them.
Janet: If you don’t get a satisfactory result from D&G you will need to pursue it with the people you bought it from under the sale of good act as it clearly has an inherent fault.
2nd October 2012 – tracey storey
Had a replacement for our new washer……a new model ..ndesit have asked for quotes so just waiting for the outcome??? We have to buy a new kitchen so hopefully we will get some where and i do belieave im in the daily mirror paper,( which I did not no):-)
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
2nd October 2012 – Davis
I am the owner of an LG washing machine model F1256QD5 purchased in July 2011. On the 24 Aug 2012 the glass in the door exploded into the drum. The machine was switched off at the tpoime. The door and glass has been replaced by LG. On reporting the fault the retort received was that they had not heard of that fault before
20th October 2012 – tracey storey
Indesit have been extremely good with our out come about our washing machine exploding and we are happy with our agreement :-)
31st October 2012 – jackie fairhurst
my fathers machine is an indicit washing machine serial no w1x l123. There is only a dial with spin on but no spin speed. Can you confirm if this is safe
1st November 2012 – Washerhelp
Jackie: Indesit have said, “We are aware of a technical issue that could affect a very small quantity of these Indesit washing machine models, which were manufactured between May 2007 and June 2009. Under certain operating conditions the drum seam has fractured, causing damage to the machine. What consumers can do next: If you own an Indesit washing machine WIXL143 or WIXE167 and have any concerns, please contact the Indesit Customer Service Centre on email: support@indesit.co.uk or Tel: 01733 287 843 Please have your serial number to hand when you call it can be found on the front of the machine inside the door area.”
1st November 2012 – Washerhelp
This story was covered last night on BBC Watchdog featuring some of the people who have commented on this article.
4th November 2012 01:05:08 PM – rosalyn reid
I have a Hoover Vision HD washing machine that has just exploded today. The door has blew open, the drawer has blown out, the door seal is now at the other end of the kitchen and the drum has dented all the front of the machine. The explosion has damaged all the wood seperating the washing machine and dish washer and the item that was in the machine at the time is totally ruined.
5th November 2012 PM – teresa
My indesit washing machine drum has just exploded,hard plastic everywhere and metal drum folded back with my clothes wedged inside it.The model is WIXL 143.
7th November 2012 – Emma Owen
I didn’t see Watchdog. I wish I had. I have a Hoover OPH614 which we bought in July 2009. I consider myself very lucky that when mine exploded today I was out taking my son to school. The force of the drum ripping apart lifted my worktops, moved my fitted units and cut into the flooring.
7th November 2012 – jill mckay
2 days ago our hoover washing machine blew up pushing up through our granite worktop spraying chunks of granite accross the kitchen. Both my husband and myself had been in the kitchen minutes before it happened – without doubt if we had still been in there we would have had serious injuries or worse. Having now looked on this site we realise this is not the freak incident we first thought it was, we are now negociating with hoover so far they have been very helful but it will be interesting to see if we can do this without going to a solicitor which we will do if neccessary to get reasonable compensation. I am still in shock as to how this can have happened and if its true that this was a known fault why these machines were not recalled or at the very least we were informed that there could be a problem.
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
13th November 2012 – Emma Owen
Contacted Hoover, they sent out someone to do a safety report. They delivered a new machine today. I had to send them photos and a list of the damage to kitchen and clothes. Things that I didn’t have receipts for I found similar and pasted in the link or just estimated. They rang to say that would have a payment in my account in 7-10 days. Hoover have been very reasonable about the whole thing – which of course they should be. We were very lucky we were out, and the damage was more contained than some of the other cases I have read. I hope others have a satisfactory outcome too.
21st November 2012 – yummy mummy
I have an Indesit washing machine model number WIXE167UK which I bought in October 2008. Last week, it made the most awful screeching noise whilst spinning ( it is a 1600 apin model ). I stopped it immediately as it was attempting to dance across the kitchen. Went onto the internet to search for what could be the fault and spotted the Watchdog report. Rang Indesit, five days later, an engineer called, fitted a safety bracket, examined the machine and it turned out to be the motor brushes which had totally worn out. Cannot praise Indesit enough, was very concerned re the reports of these machines exploding but the engineer assured me that it was perfectly ok. Brilliant service.
30th December 2012 – kai vicker
as an ex gias service engineer i am not suprized that these candy/hoover washing machines are exploding as there was a problem with some of the motors they used and the electrionics weren’t compatable of dealing with the new motors without been reprogrammed which cause the vision grand o ranges to jump around this was in 2007,further more the indesit company on listing 2 indeist models which are affected is a load of nonsense i know that they had trouble with the welded drum across the hotpoint and ariston range which are owned by the indesit company, you are right in what you are saying it seems to be the high spin speeds which are the problem,indesit have a modifaction which is to fit a flimse metal bar across the top of the drum to stop the lid flying off lol.
10th January 2013 – alison wheatley
My washer exploded 2day and if it hadn’t been 4 my solid wood kitchen I cud have been killed !? Why has no one recalled this machine? I was in the room as it happened n it was really bad I shook 4 an hour after felt like I’d been in a car crash x
11th January 2013 – Paula Knight
Hi, My hot point HVL 241 has just exploded! Do you know if anymore have done this?
12th January 2013 – k.l
I have taken a real interest in this thread our candy washer dryer was less than 90 days old and the electronics have already broken. Like others it likes to dance across the floor too! It is a candy gow475
16th January 2013 – Nicola
My hotpoint HVl 211 exploded today with no warning. It is less than 5 years old. So, yes Paula Knight, it seems that Hotpoint machines explode too! We are currently trying to find out if it is covered by any insurance policies we have or through Hotpoints 5 year parts guarantee. Although a part is no good – the whole thing is in bits
21st January 2013 – Sheila
My hotpoint HVF 344 exploded last night. I contacted the manufacturer today and they are sending someone out to assess the damage on Thursday. I hope we can resolve this between us but I am very angry that such a dangerous product is out there being used by thousands of people.
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
24th January 2013 – Dan Mills
Our Indesit IWE8123 exploded on Saturday (19/1/13) We heard an almighty bang and went into the kitchen to find the top of the worktop contents scattered all over the place. All the clothes inside were ripped and the next morning we woke up to find that where the concrete block had hit the worktop so hard it had caused a gas leak as our hob is integrated into the worktop. Luckily I am a gas engineer and was able to fix this problem without having to call out anyone. On Tuesday morning (the first time we could speak to anyone was monday) an engineer came out to assess the damage. He looked at the machine for a grand total of 5 seconds and said it was repairable. After much dispute and a lot of emailed photos another engineer was sent out on the wednesday.
He did his job properly and confirmed what we thought had happened he said it was one of the worst machines he had seen in this state. The reason I go into so much detail is to inform you to stand your ground. They offered me a replacement but obviously afer what had happened with the machine and the customer service I refused saying I wanted a refund. They did agree to this and also refunded us an amount of compensation for the damaged clothes. I would also like to state that it is not just the 2007-2009 models as we purchased ours in October 2010 and the engineer confirmed it was made a month before this date. If you are reading this its probably because you have experienced a similar problem but my advice if it helps is DONT BUY INDESIT.
10th February 2013 – Jane
We have an IWE8123 that is just out of warranty and has started making bizarre noises and flashing up all sorts of error codes. Meanwhile, my laundry is stuck in the drum, door won’t open, can’t turn it off on the control panel, and for now it has had to be plugged from the mains as t starts itself up after a while, just making a draining noise. Should I be concerned about it blowing up? I have emailed Indesit, waiting a response.
(Comments transferred from original article when published on Washerhelp)
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
11th February 2013 – Washerhelp
No Jane: It’s only when spinning that they “blow up”. Unfortunately the words “blow up” and “explode” are potentially ambiguous, but they refer to the laundry bursting out of the drum under the centrifugal forces of spin which is a physical explosion.