THE SHOPPING THREAD :-)

[CreamPuff63]

Jen have a look at Appliancesonline online . com.au  I recently bought some dryer from them and it was delivered the next day. I saved about $300 I reckon.  Hardly Normal charge $70 for delivery and these guys don't charge. There's lots of customer testimonials about each of the products.

[stacelee]

I have an LG front loader which I love.  My kids and husband managed to murder two Bosch machines so I decided to go a different way this time.  The LG has a direct drive motor which means there are no "bands" or whatever they are called to break.  It also has a 30min quick cycle which I use all the time because I use soap nuts not detergent so I don't need the longer cycles.  It seems to do a really good job of getting stuff clean and the soap nuts help to reduce those lovely "maccas" fried food smells from the kids work uniforms.

[jo_nz]

Gert, I love the fabric softener tip.  I use a tiny bit now and then in the appropriate compartment of my machine, but that sounds a better way to go. 
My sister has a large top loader without the agitator, and find it much gentler on the clothes than her previous machine, so that could be an option for those who don't want front loaders.  Front loader works for us - we have the drier mounted above it. 

We only recently bought our washing machine - a fairly basic Haier machine, after having a very expensive Ariston one before.  Seems just as good to me.  Our previous one only lasted about 5-6yrs, which is "reasonable" but for the price didn't seem worth going for the expensive one again.

[Wonder]

Jo we had an ariston a long time ago and weren't very happy with it.

I would also suggest looking at appliancesonline.com.au, we have bought a few things from there and have found the service and price is fantastic. Free delivery to our area and they install the new machine and take away the old one for free if that's what you would like them to do. I ordered our new one on Sunday afternoon when our old one broke down and the new one was delivered and installed on Tuesday morning all for slightly cheaper than our local Good Guys wanted for the machine alone. The installer even came and got me and suggested I clean where the machine was going between taking out the old and installing the new one, and then waited while I went and sorted it out.

[Nikkit]

Bedlam, good tip there for the vinegar in the softener thingy in the washing machine. I have been doing that this morning and the clothes are just lovely and soft. And don't smell like vinegar. (I was a bit worried to start with so put hubby's work clothes in with it first - figured if he smells like fish and chips with vinegar - he'll be at work and it won't bother me!)

[Wonder]

Yeah DD has texted me to let me know my second bowl has arrived.

[judydawn]

My friend's husband was a washing machine repairman and he said fabric softener just clogs up the working parts of the machine, the repairmen love it as it means more work for them  The old vinegar tip was given to me by an Enjo rep many years ago and I've been using it ever since.  I pour half a 2 litre bottle into another container and top both containers up with water- 4 litres for the price of 2 (I only use home brand for the washing machine).  My Hoover heavy duty machine is still going after 20 years.  I also use it in the dishwasher instead of Finish.

[obbie]

I use vinegar in the dish washer too

[Halex]

Just purchased delicious Love to Cook from K-mart $25, Myer had it for $39.99

HHW

[gertbysea]

I have replaced all the ariston  Appliances bar the hob  and I would get rid of that if I could. Utter crap in my opinion.

Gert

[mab19]

I have a Maytag washing machine which I have had for years and it seem to do a good job.  I always sort my washing into whites, colours and darks and prefer to use white vinegar instead of softener.   I haven't owned a dryer in years and either hang the washing on the line in good weather or on the clothes horse in the wet weather.  There are a few things I will iron but not many.  When the children were very small my mum would come and do the ironing and she loved to iron everything including the corners of towels and nappies.

[*suzanne*]

we just bought the miele front loader and dryer and I love them,  the dryer has six star energy rating and  I don't use a clothes line or an iron so it was a little more expensive than your average dryer but it is brilliant.
my washing machine like hallys can be opened to chuck something in if I've forgot but generally it just waits until the next load I too was originally a top loader fan but very happy with mine :D

Please could you pm the model of your dryer. Ours is very old & on the way out & we love miele. Thx. H

hally I just bought the miele 6 star condenser dryer it is wonderful and can be plumbed so you don't have to empty the water not that it's much of a hassle but no more laundry that fills up with steam

[Halex]

Thank you. Will look for it.

My pizza kit for my tandor oven has just arrived. excitement plus

[maddy]

I don't use fabric softener, for the reasons Judy mentioned.
I have a Bosch front loader, and very happy with it.  Bought this one at the time for its energy rating & water consumption.

Shopping......

Picked up my ring from being resized, and the devil made me buy this on the way out



Just the cake slicer, as I have the knife








There's other bits but I've forgotton  

.....and I didn't buy these, but I did giggle when I spotted them

[*suzanne*]

today Lily and I bought some more Christmas lights and a hair braider, the teachers gifts x 6 and the boys presents from Lily.
yesterday online I bought my parents the in laws and my eldest sisters Christmas presents.  my delivery driver is going to be very busy over the next few weeks ) last thing to do is get dd21 her gift from ikea I hope I can do it online and get it delivered too