I have a bit of a gripe about washing machines....specifically the cold-fill ones. Since the old hot and cold fill ones were phased out ( EU rules?).. Most people buying a new machine have had to buy a cold fill machine. I have a Bosch, which is ok, but would be much better if it were hot and cold fill. For months it was really getting my goat that when washing a load of whites, the water would take ages to heat up, and the glass door never really got hot. The washing load was being washed in cold water for most of the cycle. It costs big bucks to wash at 90*, and so I use about 60*. I never felt happy with the white load.

So.....nowadays, when doing a white load, I put the powder in the compartment and then put 3 or 4 kettles of boiling water in the compartment before I start the cycle. This way, the washing is being washed in hot water from the beginning of the cycle. My whites are sparkling, and I am proud to peg them on the line! My OH reckons that it costs more to boil 3 or 4 kettles of water, than to have the machine heat the water for half an hour or so. I don't really care, as long as I get nice whites.......what do you folks think?

I don't know anyone else who does this...but I can't be the only one.