[Nicola]

Has anyone had experience of shipping a washing machine?

Ours has just broken down and would have cost £200 to repair. :wah We had intended to leave it behind when we sold the house. So as we have three boys to keep clean, I have just had to go out and buy a new one for almost the same price.

Is it worth shipping over or should we sell it before we go? I would appreciate your comments. How do you empty all the water out of it before it goes in the Container?

Also do rentals tend to come with a washing machine, or have most of you had to buy one the minute you got there.

[jo b]

Nicola

if it fits in your container take it with you.

washers are expensive in NZ. If it is a front loader they are better than top loaders (according to Which), because with top loaders the weight of dirt sinks to the bottom so all the clothes at the bottom of the drum get washed in dirty water, whereas with a front loader because of the tilt on the drum it evens the dirt out so therefore the water overall is generally cleaner. If you get my drift.

YES bring it with you!!

Jo

[wilson182]

I think Bring it wit you , especially as its new. Most rentals do come with washing machines, but they are normally quite old. One rental we went to look at had a communal washing machine that cost $2 per wash :eek

[sarahw]

BRING IT!!!!! - especially if its a front loader - they cost a small fortune out here - we spent $1500 on a washing machine when we got here - the same model probably would have cost £300 at home!

[Moorf]

Yep bring it - and make sure you have mechanical derangement included in your shipping insurance too :nice1

[Nicola]

Thanks guys for all the replies. I guess it is a resounding yes to bringing the washing machine.

Next question is does anyone know how to get all the water out before shipping it. Last thing I want is for it to leak over everything else in the container.

Will it arrive all black mould and smelly at the other end.

Nicola

[sarahw]

Sorry don't know on that one but more importantly you don't want any water/moisture in your container as it will get v. hot on the journey over & everything'll be mouldy when you get here too.

[jo b]

Nicola,

best advice is to ask the shippers they do it all the time (ship things that is). They should know the best way.

Jo

[baboonworld]

Nicola

If it is a front loader they are better than top loaders (according to Which), because with top loaders the weight of dirt sinks to the bottom so all the clothes at the bottom of the drum get washed in dirty water, whereas with a front loader because of the tilt on the drum it evens the dirt out so therefore the water overall is generally cleaner. If you get my drift.

Jo

Does that not mean then that in a front loader all your clothes are just as dirty as each other - rather than a top loader when at least your top clothes are clean!!!

And i don think there are any washing machine shops in Dannevirke :laugh
x

Next question is does anyone know how to get all the water out before shipping it. Last thing I want is for it to leak over everything else in the container.

Will it arrive all black mould and smelly at the other end.

Mine is already all black on the rubber part anyway - so no worries for me!!!

[selchie]

Is there anyone from the US who have experience bringing a washer over? Richsadam's US vs NZ Electronics thread says they won't work, but I'm hoping for confirmation or refutal. A friend who lived part time in NZ told us to bring our appliances, but we are having trouble contacting her for clarification.

[tatch76]

We've been told not to bring our washer and dryer simply because they probably wouldn't fit! Initially we had planned on taking them, but after speaking with someone from Auckland, have thought better of it. Love to hear other opinions...

Kris

[jubjub]

I am glad we bought ours, its so much better at cleaning than the top loader we had rented for a month or so, true enough we could not fit a dryer into our laundry area (we dont have one anyway:p ), but it could always go in the garage?

As for water, yes there was a bit, but there was so much cardboard round it from the packers, it did not get onto anything else, and it was not a bit mouldy.

[Moorf]

We sold ours in the UK.. bought a top loader here and I appear to be the only Brit in NZ who actually prefers my top loader to my old front loader :D

[Avalon]

We sold ours in the UK.. bought a top loader here and I appear to be the only Brit in NZ who actually prefers my top loader to my old front loader :D

No - I do too!

I have brought my front loader over as well, and will be using that when we move to our new house, but here in the apartment, we have a top loader and dryer. I can do the washing in a fraction of the time and the dryer seems more efficient too.

My biggest problem is lack of non- bio washing powders - and the fact that persil sensitive doesnt come in big packs!

[Moorf]

:nice1 I'm not alone!

Same reasons I love it - washing done in minutes, always washed well, can pop stuff in after it's started ...

[jubjub]

Avalon, we saw persil sensitive in Bunnings the other day, in 6kg sacks if thats any use.... may have been the low suds one though

[Dave & Sandra]

Me too - I like my top loader. Much prefer it to a front loader and takes loads of stuff and washed in half the time.

[Avalon]

Avalon, we saw persil sensitive in Bunnings the other day, in 6kg sacks if thats any use.... may have been the low suds one though
Wow thank you - ill check that out.

Dont think i can use the low sus version as it has enzymes - and we are going to be on a septic tank. May not be able to use it.

[selchie]

Wow, I am surprised at the number of front-to-top loader converts! Here in the US, front loaders are considered to be more desirable. Verrry interesting.

[DLW]

We brought our machine. It broke down not long after and we found that the Repair men over here don't mend our model. We had to get a friend toorder the parts from the UK for us and wait 4 weeks for them to arrive. Fortunately we could fit them ourselves! I would try and find out if you are able to get the machine repaired should it fail!!!
I'm sure this tip is already on the web-site. Tea bags placed in washers, fridges etc act like those little bags of silica gel and absorb moisture.

DLW