An evening with the Hoovermatic Deluxe

[74simon]

I spent this evening working through a pile of laundry with my HMDL and its spanking new hoses to see how it performed. There is a very slight leak from under the machine, but it has improved since its inaugural run yesterday - I have been told that hot water helps the pump reseal if it has been dismantled, as mine was. To be honest, it isn't the best example of one of these, but it still seems reasonable, and is certainly usable - it's now done a dozen loads over the weekend, thanks to our automatic being sickly!

This first picture is of the tub being filled - this 3314L has a permanently attached fill hose, stored with the drain hose on the back of the machine.

 

[74simon]

The dials

In a different order to the USA Hoover twinnie, and with a heater to boot - these were popular with people who had babies, as you could boil their nappies (diapers) in it. A shame you can't rinse and operate the heater at the same time though.

 

[74simon]

Loaded...

Will it take a double duvet cover, double bedsheet and pillowcases? *holds breath*

 

[74simon]

It cetainly will!

Although I kept the lid down for the duration of the wash to save being splattered!

 

[74simon]

Soap cake!

Even though I used the correct amount of Fairy Snow detergent... ended up ladling it out with a jug.

 

[74simon]

Wash over

You may have heard that Hoovermatics tangle a little... Note that the pillowcase is about the same vintage as the machine!

 

[74simon]

And rinse!

Much easier that having to keep hosing the load down. Plus three rinses take about the same time as one four minute load, which keeps your momentum going.

 

[74simon]

Emptying

Only takes about a minute to empty the tub. Marvellous machine!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Splashmatic!!

Hey Simon,

Glad you got it working, looks in fine condition, I love the Charcoal and blue styling of these machines, so simple and stylish....I see, like Hoover , you are not afraid of colour!!!

I`m curious as to how you loaded ??did you place on top of the water and then switch on?? or puch the clothes under??

I was always taught to switch on and then load items whilst it whipped them under the water, Jon from brum says always load under the water then switch on....have tried both and sometimes it still tangles....

AND, it wouldnt be a Hoover Wash without a Splash!!!

Cheers, Mike

 

[74simon]

Hi Mike,

until we moved house we had the curtains that matched that pillowcase in our bedroom... my choice, naturally.

When using the machine, I just put the sheets on top of the water, shut the lid and let the magic of the activator do the rest. I shall be experimenting though!

Had some problems with the anti-syphon valve, as our hot water is at a VERY low pressure, but have fitted a rubber nozley thing to the fill hose which works a lot better... shame though.

The 3314L is a beaut, especially with that blue spinner cover. I do like the look of later models, ie T5004/24, but can't be bothered fannying round with an interlock like I had to with our old Hotpoint Supermatic. I remember my auntie levering open the lid of her T5002 with a knife to defeat the interlock though!

Even my partner tried the HMDL tonight. He's impressed with the auto rinse and the fact that he'll be able to use soap flakes again, but less than impressed with the way it will only take two pairs of jeans at a time!

Si

 

[newwave1]

Hey simon!
Fantastic twinny! Looks alot of fun! Whats frontloader do you have and whats wrong with it? I remember my hotpoint twinny i had last year was rather splashy. Thank you for posting pics!

Darren

 

[74simon]

Hullo Darren,

It's a Servis M6011, which came with the flat. My partner thinks that the concrete weight has come loose. Wash is quiet enough, but the spin is very very loud, and the machine shakes so much the detergent drawer sometimes pops open! There's grey dust under it too. Must phone the landlord at some point...

I wish we'd kept our Indesit W123, had that for four years with no probs at all, but then my partner was always fastidious with it, using soda crystals in every wash, and stopping it if it was out of balance.

Si

 

[newwave1]

Crikey. What do you think to the servis?

Is your partner into machines too? Or just likes to take care of things?

Darren

 

[mickeyd]

Hello, Lads!

Such a beautiful machine and the chrome tub is so much nicer than the plastic American one I have. Isn't the spinning just insane? Don't know any toploader than spins faster?

My way is to fill it, start the agitation, then feed the load, piece by piece and watch the Hoover dog madly snatch it down. Woff ! Woff ! Lots o' fun.

 

[74simon]

Don't like the Servis

The controls aren't very intuitive, and I don't like the way the dial doesn't advance! I understand Servises (Servii?) aren't too reliable either - ours is less than two years old, and doesn't get a hammering.

My partner took care of the Indesit to make sure it lasted (which it did), but is more of a gadget freak than anything else - over the years we've had slo-cookers, popcorn makers, every conceivable type of coffee maker and even knitting machines and two rice cookers at once (different sizes, you see)!

I'm more of a Hoover collector - mostly vacuums, but got some obscure stuff too - toaster, shaver, hairdryer etc. Oh, and Russell Hobbs kettles too! And anything by HMV...

Si

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Washdog

That was a great add & slogan, "The HooverWashdog" & the 4 minute wash!!!This is a vid of the later model the T5054 when Jetcone Jon came over, lids up to see the action!!!

You certainly have to hold onto your hoses with a Hoovermatic in your house...LOL

 

[74simon]

Hoover Washdog!

Kevin Cox sent me the ad below - I love the cozy way that they sell it as part of the family, rather than a flashy bit of technology.

I vaugely remember a similar TV campain, with a woman pulling one by a leash, although it must have been a later model, as I was only born in 74 - my October '73 washdog is three months older than I am!

Mickey - I love the wacky colours of the American plastic tub machines - and those cabinet finishes even more! The avocado and harvest gold ones are gorgeous!

I've linked to a short video of my autorinse kicking in - that spinner roar is quite something...

Si

 

[gansky1]

Great ad! I love that SS wash-tub too - much more sleek looking that the harvest gold one in my Hoover Deluxe.

 

[matchboxpaul]

Once the automatics are sorted, I might start work on hoover and hotpoint twin tubs. Never really had a thing for twinnies, but I sense that I am getting urges!
Another well preserved piece of early 70's appliance nostalgia. Love it