We are in the process of a home renovation and over the next 4 months we are knocking down walls (!) changing the decor and updating appliances, including a new washing machine. We have gone for an AEG 7000 Lavamat ProSteam. It’s an 8kg model but way more advanced than our old one, it even has a steam option for clothes but I will come to that later.
In terms of aesthetics, it’s a good-looking machine. The overall look has a soft fluidity to it and is absent of any hard lines, similar to our cupboard handles. I also like the fact that it has a black control panel as this ties in nicely our raven coloured cabinets.
Even though the drum is the same size as our old machine, the style of the door is wider giving the appearance of a larger model. Another stylish touch is the matte silver door frame, it’s a simple addition but adds to the contemporary feel.
I was a little overwhelmed by the digital display and all of the wash cycles that were on offer, including this curious steam programme. I think it’s great to have an advanced machine but it does need to be user-friendly, especially when you have a ton of grubby kids clothes to wash! It took some time to read the manual and I was amazed at how much there was to offer. Other than cleaning the clothes well, my main priorities for a machine are one that offers a quick wash for when you need something straight away, normally something child related, and one that is quiet.
The digital display is fairly sensitive and takes a little getting used to but was really easy to navigate. As mentioned, the time save and quick washes are an integral part of my washing and so these are the programmes I tried first. However, before the wash starts, this machine weighs your clothes and adjusts the settings accordingly ensuring you have the most economical wash possible – really. If that’s not good enough, the time save button has two cool settings; one press for time save on a normal load and then two presses for time save on a smaller load and reducing the length of the wash. Both of these cycles worked well.
Being able to ‘pause and interrupt’ a wash is also a button that gets used frequently in this household as I am forever adding to a cycle that has already started. Good to see that this machine has one of those. Other good programmes are the sports, duvet and outdoors and anti-allergy, trust me when I say it does it all.
The Crème de la crème for me has to be the ProSteam technology ‘steam’ button. If, like me, you avoid ironing like the plague, this little button will be your golden ticket but the question is, does it work and the answer is, yes. This button is not meant to remove all creases, just reduce them by 1/3 and so if you think all the creases will miraculously vanish and remove the need for ironing then think again. What it does do is remove enough creases to make the ironing 50% easier and that’s good enough for me.
This machine has a big thumbs up for me. It is high-end at a cost of £599 but unlike other brands, it comes with a 5 year guarantee which makes it a sound purchase.
This post was a collaboration with Euronics. All thoughts and comments are my own.
