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] ”
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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My Hoover blew up today with me standing next to it!!!!!!.Luckily it was surrounded by worktop and dishwasher which took the damage. Very frightening, my wooden worktops have been dislodged and floor tiles cracked. Bits flew everywhere, awaiting visit tmw from Hoover engineer.
I have (had) an Indesit WIXL 143 2009 which blew up on Saturday 1st Feb, I ordered a new one (Logik) on line thinking it was out of warranty so, hey ho, but then I realise when browsing the internet on Sunday that Indesit knew of this fault and didn’t issue a product recall, not only has it broken our kitchen worktop but wrecked a mirror and £200 worth of clothing, I’d gone through our insurance but now Indesit can pay, I am fuming there are all these articles on the net about it and an absolutely dangerous bit of crap is sitting in people’s kitchens literally blowing up. Can anyone tell me what outcome they got from complaints, they are already past their ‘contact me in 24 hours’ promise, so I’m not holding out much hope until the press get involved (again)
Hello Mick. Indesit have issued a safety notice which is linked to in my article. It took them a while but they did. Unfortunately though many people won’t know about it unless they stumble across the notice in the press or on sites like mine. This is why it’s a good idea to always register a product. Although not foolproof, when a manufacturer has a safety notice they usually contact everyone who registered the product. If they can’t, then unless someone comes across it they will be unaware.
Hi, I have the WIXE 167 model and the drum has just split tonight. No explosion or damage to worktops, however expensive clothes have been ripped in half. I am now left with a broken washing machine and unwearable clothes. Will Indesit replace the washing machine without fuss? And will I be giving compensation for my damaged clothes? Thanks.
Hi Thomas: Check to see if your machine is one of the ones affected. It doesn’t go just on model numbers, but serial numbers too. The same model can stay in production for a period of time in which things on the production line can change. Use the link in my article under “Official Hotpoint & Indesit Safety Notices”.
If it is, it ought to be straight forward. If it isn’t, they may wash their hands of it depending how old it is. If it isn’t too old though you may well have a claim under the sale of goods act against the retailer for selling you a product with an inherent fault. It all depends on the full circumstances.
My Indesit WIXL 163 1600rpm exploded half an hour ago, it was on final spin and started making a bit of a strange noise then BANG! the whole thing now looks like the picture you have up above.
The lid blew off along with the sides of the machine leaving bits of debris everywhere, the big chunk of concrete inside had all shattered. When we took the lid off it looked like the whole drum had blown apart trapping all of the clothes, some of them in tatters. Next job, buy a new washing machine – but choose carefully.
My indesit w1xxe127 washing machine purchased in 2010 started making a horrible banging sound when spinning. White dust appeared on the clothes and some were ripped. When I checked the metal drum has a hole in it! I have contacted indesit and am awaiting a call back (could be in for a long wait!) is it worth persuing this or shall I give it up and a get a new machine obviously not an indesit!
According to the Indesit page linked to in this article affected washing machines were made between 2007 and 2009. It’s possible that one made in 2009 though could have been sold in 2010 so enter your model and serial number in on their to double check. If yours is one that they currently accept is affected they should sort something out.
If it isn’t, they are extremely unlikely to be remotely interested, neither would the retailer. However, if you think it hasn’t lasted a reasonable time or has suffered from a design (inherent) fault you would need to press your case with the retailer but you will not get much help from them and would most likely have a fight on your hands. If it’s only lasted 4 years that’s pretty poor, but it’s not a “quality” brand, and if it was fairly cheap and has been heavily used it could be considered acceptable. On the other hand if it was an expensive model and has only done very light work it may be that 4 years is unacceptable.
The manufacturers have no obligation under the sale of goods act. Read my article, and the related articles linked to at the end Out of guarantee doesn’t always mean you should pay
PLEASE READ MY STORY & DO WHAT EVER YOU WISH WITH IT
HOOVER : VTS712D21B/180
1200 7kg HooverCandy Bury Rd Bolton BL2 6PU
Please read the following series of events :
Ordered : 1st May 14 Thursday Very.co.uk
Delivered : 9th May 14 Friday Very.co.uk
4th Wash : 10th May 14 Saturday 1st 1200 spin So loud I thought it was going to EXPLODE
7th Wash : 13th May 14 Tuesday Loaded & Set at/on 8pm. And went to bed. Got up about
3am ( bathroom down stairs ) & the whole of the kitchen floor ( top quality laminated ) was
absolutely flooded – covered in soapy/rinse water !
Phone call to HooverCandy : 14th May 14 @8.30am ( not 24hr as literature suggested ) I first registered the appliance for warranty
Phone call to Very.co.uk : 14th May 14 @8.40am Informed me to get a incident number.
Phone call to HooverCandy : 14th May 14 @8.45am Registered a complaint.
Ref no issued : 1052 0491 Engineer appointment booked for Friday to assess DAMAGED TO FLOOR & BASE END PANEL.
NB I did not want it repaired so they agreed the appointment was for kitchen damage.
Phone call to Very.co.uk : 14th May 14 @ 8.55am Customer Complaints informing them of
Hoover Ref no : 1052 0491 They informed me that the appliance would be collected & a new one delivered.
Hoover Engineer Appt : 16th May 14 12pm 4pm Arrived @ 2.15pm
Phone call to Hoover : 16th May 14 @ 2.45pm Engineer was still with me as he had no
information regarding the FLOOR DAMAGED.
The Administration Dept ( 01204 556105 ) had two separate jobs booked :
One : Machine fault assessment
Second : Floor damage assessment
Therefore engineer took photographs of ALL damages drum ( with huge crack ) & kitchen
floor & fittings
Joiner/Floor Fitter : 16th May 14 Arrived @2.30pm to witness/flooring fitter in 2010
Phone call to Hoover : 16th May 14 @ 2.50PM Appointment made to remove faulty machine Wed
21st May 14 but no replacement would be delivered.
Phone call to Very.co.uk : Refunded full amount but no replacement avail until June 14.
But soooo glad now I have read these comments
The day before we had a baby crawling on the floor
I knew that the company who manufactured the flooring had changed the linking system due to the Patent Copyright. Which means there is no more stock left of the copied patent. Therefore I will have to replace the whole of the kitchen floor. Will be trying retailer before I go back to Hoover-Candy
I HOPE THIS MAY SAVE SOMEONES LIFE.
Thanks for reading Julia
Hi Julia. The exploding washing machines were related to ones manufactured in 2007 to 2009, so in theory at least, none sold now or even recently are supposed to be affected. Let us know what happens. If damage is caused by a fault on the washing machine you should get all reasonable costs of repairing damage dealt with. I presume the Hoover engineer accepted it was a washing machine fault if you got a refund? A common cause of similar symptoms can be coins or other obstructions left inside pockets although if that was suspected I’m sure the engineer would have said so.