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.
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duncan wood says
we too recently suffered the experience of the exploding washing machine, it was just like an explosion, we emailed hotpoint indesit who as usual did not admit any liability, we changed the machine to a zanussi the same week, hotpoint were not at all helpful , the company we purchased the new machine from removed the “exploded one” and we arranged for hotpoint to collect this from them as they delivered to this local company twice a week and they are still collecting it!!!, eventually we advised them to skip the offending machine, I will not purchase a hotpoint.indesit machine ever again as they have totally disregarded the health and safety aspect of this problem, surely if a modification was necessary they could have traced all machines and serial numbers easily, as do car manufacturers when a fault is found
lisa says
After seeing watchdog a few weeks ago I noticed that my machine (indesit wixl143 1400 purchased in 2008) was one of the ones affected by this fault. I phoned the helpline number an was told yes my washing machine was one of the ones possibly affected by this and an engineer would come an check it out.
The engineer came today but im not sure he was telling the whole truth! He said mine was not one that was a potential risk because it was a 48 litre drum an not a 52 litre?, also he said it wasnt made in the factory where the problem ones have come from (apparently theres 4 diff factories which used different drums??)
He gave me a printout stating that my machine was ok to use.
Jyst wondering if anyone else has had this or if anyone has any advice or thoughts on this as I have 2 small children an have lost all confidence in ghis washing machine??? Thanks xx
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Hi Lisa. It’s likely they are telling the truth. Anything different would be an extremely serious issue.
Mrs Lamond says
We have just had the in fortune to experience a ‘exploding’ washing machine Hoover OPHS612 – this machine was purchased in June 2011 – not exactly on ‘old’ machine. We have contacted Hoover/Candy customer services via the store we originally purchased from on the 2nd May (with photo’s of the machine) and to this day they still haven’t even had the decency to call. Plus as we’ve been waiting for a response from them we are still without a washing machine. Fortunately we were out at the time but had we been at home (with our three granddaughters) I’m afraid there would have been a chance of personal injury (is this what it would have taken for them to reply). What should we do now?
stephanie wharton says
my indesit washer bought 2012 started smoking and sounded like it was going to blow up sounded like the drum was full of metal this happened while in fast spin the model num was on web site as affected indesit wont replace what can in do ?????
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Are they saying the problem you have with it is nothing to do with the fault in the drum?
Lyndsey Ward says
We have a Candy wm purchased in nov 2010. The last few times we’ve used it I’d noticed a horrible burning smell but at the time hadnt realised it was the wm as still seemed to be working fine. Tonight, 5 mins after starting a cycle there was again a burning smell and I noticed smoke coming from the back of the work surface above the machine. I immediately switched off the power and now I’m concerned after reading these articles/comments. Should we contact Candy directly even though its now out of warranty?
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Hello Lyndsey. Hoover Candy didn’t issue an official safety notice about the washing machines with splitting drums so there’s no official way to check if yours was a model affected. The burning smell could be a “normal” fault and unrelated to any exploding or splitting drum but without getting an engineer to see it you won’t know. The split drum issue tended to manifest itself on fast spin. Clearly you shouldn’t be using it though so the only alternatives are to scrap it or get Hoover Candy to look at it and see what they say.
mandy says
We to purchased a candy wm in 20011 which tonight has set fire we called the fire brigade out and they said it was very lucky we were in or we could of lost everything now im reluctant to put a wash on at work or b4 I go to bed the care line are sending someone out first thing tomorrow but not a chance do I want another candy product in my house
Whitegoodshelp (Andy Trigg) says
Any appliance can catch fire and sadly they do. Never leave an appliance like a washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher on when not in, or especially when in bed. I’ve always warned against doing so, it’s just not worth the risk –
Is it safe to leave washing machine on?