Good Ideas Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine

[sensotronic]

I got one of these small twin tub washers today. I have always fancied getting one and as soon as I saw it for under £90, I decided to take the plunge.

Talk about a blast from the past, this twinny acts just like a full sized machine with all the hands on fun you get when using a twin tub. I did a couple of small loads and I am impressed. The hoses are very poor quality and the cord hooks on the back probably won't stay intact without taking care, but they are the only downsides I can see at the moment. The pulsator at the base of the wash tub does cause some tangling, but not as much as a Hoovermatic as it does rotate both ways.

This machine is mainly sold to motorhome and caravan owners, but It would also be great for someone in rented accommodation, for single people, couples and anyone who can't have a plumbed in automatic for whatever reason.

There wasn't much on Youtube featuring this washer, so I will be doing a thorough in depth video review soon.

 

[streakers]

Did you ever

get a video done and uploaded for this one? I'd like to see it in action...

Cheers
Ste

 

[sensotronic]

I had to send it back because the spin lid wasn't closing properly and I noticed a small crack on the side of the top panel. However, I received the replacement today and have just completed a couple of loads and am very happy with the results. It is almost like a large toy washing machine, but it performs very well and does it quietly.

I hope to make a video in the next couple of weeks and will post a link to it when its uploaded.

 

[turbo500]

Lovely machines Roger, with a nice wash action too. Just a shame they're not the best quality, but for that price, what should one expect?

Just a quick question, a lot of the old twinnes had rinse features - does this allow for the spinner to be filled with water for rinsing?

 

[sensotronic]

Yes Chris, it has a water inlet into the spinner for rinsing. The quality of the machine itself isn't too bad, it's just let down by the poor drain and fill hoses.

 

[kirbylux77]

Roger, your new twin tub washer looks really nice! Reminds me of my childhood, of when I was a toddler. My Mom had a Hoover twin tub washer back in the late 70's that she had for at least 10 years before it died. Wish this style was still common in North America, but sadly it isn't anymore

Rob

PS - I really like your YouTube videos & your presenting style! Keep up the good work, mate .

 

[sensotronic]

Demo video now on Youtube

Here's my demo of this little twin tub. I'm still loving it and the novelty of washing my clothes in it hasn't worn off. The poor Bosch in the kitchen is wondering what it's done wrong, though it still gets to wash my partner's clothes.

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

Excellent video as always Roger! I am not very familiar with twin tub machines, just the now traditional automatic front loading machine. I have just taken delivery of a Bosch Washer/Dryer 6 series or something, brushless motor job. When I have time, I will make a thread of it. It is an excellent machine, typical bosch quality etc, but this machine you have is really rather smart.

How would you compare the cleaning and drying performance compared to your bosch ? Also, I imagine this takes around half the time to do a cycle compared to normal machines?

 

[alexhoovers94]

I Bought The Good Ideas Twin Tub Too!

Roger, you inspired me to get this machine, I use to have a much smaller non pump version of this, you may be familiar with the one I mean, it was badged "Royal".

I this for £99 with free p&p so a bit of a bargain, can't weight to get it, I am sure it will be bigger capacity than my previous one.

 

[sensotronic]

Yes Alex, it will be bigger than your old one, if that's the one you put on your Youtube channel. I think you'll find the wash action to be a bit more vigorous too. My first one arrived damaged, so I hope yours arrives in one piece.

 

[alexhoovers94]

indeed it was the machine I featured on my YouTube channel. Do you have the dimensions of this Good Ideas model?

 

[sensotronic]

The dimensions are approximately 66cm high, 58cm wide, 34cm deep.

 

[alexhoovers94]

Really? doesn't seem to be that much bigger than the mini Royal one I had a while ago, going of those measurements. :/

 

[sensotronic]

The Good Ideas twin tub takes a 3.5 kg wash load compared to 2kg in the Royal.

If the Royal is the same as in the link below, the dimensions of that are 33.5 x 35.5 x 56 cm.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-230V-Twin-Washing-Machine/dp/B0061NEGKK

 

[sensotronic]

There seems to be different measurements on different websites for the Royal so I don't know which is accurate. The Good Ideas machine was certainly bigger than I expected it to be and will easily wash and spin a double duvet cover in one load and the pillowcase and sheet in another load.

 

[alexhoovers94]

Thanks Roger, I just am not sure if the drain hose will reach to my kitchen sink, as you mentioned that as one of the set back but mine may possibly be lower than yours, if not I can hang it over the bath.

 

[electroluxxxx]

I have been tempted to retire the old hoover washer and dryer and going with the Panda machines just like the one you pictured. now I know there is a HUGE difference with quality but I am having mixed feelings on retiring my set.

I did notice though that now the company that makes the Good Ideas (Panda) machines are now making a dryer which looks pretty solid.

here are some photos of my hoover set

 

[turbo500]

Mike, that Hoover Twin Tub was the first washing mahcine my Grandma (Mum's side) ever had, bought in 1964. Prior to this, she had a wash tub, mangle and wash boiler in which she used to wash everything for 6 kids and 2 adults. My Mum still remembers her getting the twinnie and (as she put it) it was like "all her birthdays had come at once"

 

[spiraclean]

Great vid Senso, shows clearly how the machine works. Got to say I wasn't expecting much considering its size and price, but it certainly appears to pack a bit of a punch. The results speak for themselves of course, very impressive.

Until fairly recently I had a Hotpoint Supermatic Deluxe, and enjoyed being able to get a whole week's laundry done in the space of a few hours and then being done with it. The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the spin rinse, which never rinsed clear enough for my liking, and the kludgy method of removing the agitator and connecting up the hose in order to slowly drain the washtub, which meant rinsing in there would have been completely impractical. Perhaps a Hoover or Servis would have suited better, but in the end I just went back to using the Bosch auto. Your machine looks far more user friendly in that regard, all the nostalgia without quite as much fuss LOL.

Worth checking out the car boot sales for some vintage laundry tongs, by the way. Had I not given them to the person who bought my Supermatic, I'd have offered to send them on to you. Hot, soapy water is murder on the hands after a while!