What were your impressions from the first few uses?
Initial thoughts were that this shiny, very high tech looking machine looked totally out of place in my scruffy utility room! I was also surprised at how heavy it was (delivery men couldn't fit it due to non return valve box thingy and left it blocking the back door so had to try and move it!) Dh said the weight was a sign of the high quality of the machine. I had a good read of the instruction manual whilst waiting for DH to come home and carve up the cupboard to fit the box through.
Dh's comments after fitting was that it was a much better quality than our old machine and that this was evident from things such as a brass lock ring on the end of the tube instead of a plastic one as well as a designated storage space on the back of the machine for the transport bars "It's just been so well thought about" he said. I loved the fact that the door is completely flat and not inset at all. It has always been a bugbear of mine that dust settles on the ledge in the door but that is not going to happen with this machine.
This machine is the first one I've had where I've really had to study the instruction booklet. My first thoughts were that I was never going to get to grips with it but actually once you have mastered the basics it is quite intuitive.
Like other testers I was surprised that you have to actually select either the twin dos or cap system and that it doesn't do it automatically. On the second wash I forgot to select one and had to rewash it. It would be good if you were forced to select an option for the machine to start.
Overall first impressions were very, very good.
- So far, what do you think of: the wash results, sound levels and ease of use?
This machine is fantastic and gets things really clean (or maybe it's the Miele detergents?) Either way I'm impressed. I wasn't sure whether I would like the Miele detergent as I am fussy about my detergents and normally an Ariel powder gal however I have to say that the clothes come out smelling lovely even after tumble drying and with no fabric conditioner. I need to do a cost comparison but I think I may stock up on the Miele detergent.
I have used the woollen detergent cap and also used the sports programme and detergent for DH's smelly cycling gear. They came out really clean and smelling lovely. It sounds lazy but the fact that you don't have to put detergent in every wash is great. I have also discovered that our water is much softer than I thought as the machine kept telling me that too much foam had been detected and I needed to reduce the dose. It makes me realise that I must have used way too much detergent in the past and I love that the machine is helping me to save money as well as minimising my impact on the environment.
Other features that I love are the ability to select the degree of soiling as well as the main minimum iron programme and the anti-crease tumble when the cycle has finished.
The machine is very quiet when in use however we find it much louder when it is filling with water as we can hear it when we are upstairs which we couldn't with our old machine (I think it must be something to do with the valve/box thing)
Once you have got the hang of it, it is very easy to operate. My only niggle is that the cottons programme (which is the one I use most) has its default temperature as 60c. I am a little nervous that one day I will forget to change it down to 40c and will shrink my clothes.
When I was getting used to the machine I thought that the chance of Dh using the machine and actually putting a wash on had become even more of a remote possibility as it takes a bit of getting used to. However DH views it as a new technological gadget and is keen to use it so that has been an unexpected bonus!