What size washing machine?

Background:
We have a 4.0kg LG top loader washing machine which I think is on it's way out but DH thinks is fine (he doesn't use it much - only occasionally). The lint filter is beginning to get holey (a couple of the threads that make up the mesh have pulled out and now there's gaps in the filter and lint hangs on the gaps all the time) and I see reasonably regularly a fine-ish grey lint-like mess on the clothes that won't come off with a lint brush - to remove it, I need to wash the clothes again. To combat the grey mess on the clothes I am now washing at the next water level up (ie instead of a small/medium/large load - washing at a medium/large/extra large load) I also use some lint ball things (small balls that go in the washing machine with Velcro-like stuff on the outside) to try and reduce the lint that sticks to the clothes.

I don't use softener just a small amount of SA8 powder detergent. I used to use a little bit of vinegar instead of softener but it made the clothes smell to DH so I stopped using it. I have tried doing hot washes with vinegar to get rid of the grey lint-like stuff from the machine as well.

It's about 7 or so years old and doesn't have a gentle cycle (we didn't buy it - were given it when we moved in 5 yrs ago after a house fire by my parents as they were supplied with one at their then new house). I am due to have bubs in mid July (so we will be going from a 2 to 3 person household). I'm intending to use MCNs so will be using the machine a lot for nappies I know; not sure about how NB clothes and sheets and things go.

I'm curious to know if we should upgrade to a 7.0 kg washer (Fisher & Paykel top loader) which I have done some research about. DH thinks we won't need to, but I think we'll (aka I'll) be doing a lot more washing with a newborn in the house if we stick to the 4.0kg washer.

Thing is, just at the moment we can't afford to buy it outright (even though the sales are on and there are some really good prices for this model). I know that we would get the baby bonus (in the fortnightly payments) after the birth and so I think we could try to put it on a layby/rent to own/interest free purchase method to get it and pay it off fairly quickly afterwards. DH thinks that getting a washing machine would not be what the baby bonus should be used for (Quote: It's to get stuff for the baby). We have already bought most of the big ticket items for the baby & it's room and I think that we will be using the machine for the baby:wall:.

I'll be going back to full time work about 3mths after bubs is due (financial constraints mean I have to and bubs will go part time CC and part time with DH at least to the end of the year). So I won't have a huge amount of time to do lots and lots of loads of washing. (currently each load takes about 45-60 min)
Currently we (okay I) do about 3 - 4 loads of clothes a week - towels & sheets somewhere between fortnightly & monthly :redface: depending on when they look like they need a wash.

Questions:

1. Should we upgrade the size of our washing machine? (ie could we survive with the 4kg washer that we have or would it make more sense to upgrade?) What's your experiences?

2. Is buying a new washing machine out of the Baby Bonus a reasonable thing to do?

yep i think you should upgrade. Esp with you going back to work fulltime, your not going to have time to do washing all the time and when u do it will prob be quite a big load.

Yep, buy it out of your baby bonus. Makes sense. Not much of ours got spent on DD, as she had everything. Just remember it doesnt come in one lump sum anymore, as far as im aware.

If you think you'll need a bigger one - then go for it. But if its the lint filter thats bothering you - you can buy new ones - i just replaced mine for about $15 - got it at an appliance parts/service store. I also bought some stuff which cleaned my machine (put it through an empty cycle.

I would get your machine looked at first so you don't have to spend the money if you don't have to. If it does need to be replaced I would definitely upsize. I have a 5.5kg fisher and paykel top loader and it is too small for a family of three. Not looking forward to washing for 4 in it.
I don't think using your baby bonus is a bad idea at all. Exactly what it is for. Helping out when you have a baby not being wasted.

Personally I would go as big as I can now that you have the opportunity to do it. I had a 4.5kg simpson for years - I brought it when I was 19 and only just replaced it late last year with a 9kg simpson and that was after doing the washing for 6 people for a year in it. Anyhoo, I think that's what the baby bonus should be used for - you're going to wash the baby's clothes in it, you are going to have extra washing created by having an extra person in the house. And back when my 3rd was born and the baby bonus was being introduced in 3 days time, the midwife and I were talking about it and she said even buying new tyres for your car is something worth while to spend it on because you are making sure you have a safe car to get you around in kwim?

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But if its the lint filter thats bothering you - you can buy new ones - i just replaced mine for about $15 - got it at an appliance parts/service store.

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Did try to organise to replace the lint filter - found the part no and an online place to get it & DH said he'd order it if I gave him the details .... that was about a month or so ago ... asked him about it last night and he's lost the details.:doh: (still think we should upgrade - the machine's been irritating me for a while now)

I would say yes to a new washing machine for sure. Maybe tell your DH that by upgrading you would be saving money in electricty and water in the long run. Think about it, you use electricity for 1 bigger load of washing or 2 smaller loads, and the same would go for the water. The FP machines are water friendly (well ours is anyway) in that it re uses the water in a single cycle instead of dumping it and refilling, so you use less water. Plus you save on buying whatever you are needing to add to stop the lint on your clothes.

2. Buying a washing machine out of the baby bonus is most certainly a reasonable thing to do. You need to wash clothes for bub, who will be vomiting over things and weeing and pooing on stuff as well.... including yours and your DH's clothing :) We bought a dryer with our baby bonus, I did feel a little guilty, but it had been raining, so we didnt have time to get his clothes dry before he was needing to wear them. Off to the shop, got a dryer, and what an investement it turned out to be...More rain and even more rain on top of that meant he had dry clothes and spew rags, and last month when he was vomiting from gastro, I did 4 FULL LOADS in my 7-8kg washing machine, of cloth nappies/spew rags just to keep up with his vomiting. Imagine doing something like that in a 4kg machine..... I was barely keeping up with my nice sized washer AND dryer!
You definately deserve it, and don't feel guilty for spending the baby bonus on something that you will need. Get it now if you can, especially if sales are on, that way you save even more money :)

Nic