HOOVER A3008 (01) PDF DOCUMENT

The main parts and controls of your HOOVER A3008 washing machine are:

1. Dispenser: Pull it open to find three compartments. The left is for pre-wash powder, the right is for the main wash powder, and the centre is for fabric conditioner.

2. Programme Indicator Lights: These lights show the machine’s status. The ‘On’ light on the left illuminates when the ‘On’ button is pressed. Other lights indicate which part of the cycle is operating: pre-wash, main-wash, rinses, or spin.

3. ‘On’ Button: Pressing this button switches on the red indicator light, showing the machine has power. It also mechanically locks the door.

4. ‘Off’ Button: Pressing this button switches off the electricity supply to the machine and releases the mechanical lock on the door.

5. Keyplate Operating Slot: This is where you insert the selected Keyplate to start a programme. Beneath it is a storage slot for the Keyplate not in use.

6. Keyplates: The machine comes with two Keyplates, one orange and one white, providing a choice of 16 programmes. Programmes are marked on the edge of both faces of each Keyplate.

7. Programme Chart: Located in the door recess, this chart shows garment care label numbers and the corresponding programme titles.

8. Door Latch: Sliding the latch to the right opens the door. This cannot be done while the ‘On’ button is pressed. An additional electrical safety feature prevents the door from opening while the drum is in motion, with a delay of about 50 seconds after the drum stops.

9. Electricity Mains Lead: This should be connected to an earthed 13 or 15 amp plug, correctly fused.

10. Filling Hoses: Ensure these are correctly connected to the machine and to the hot and cold taps, which should be left fully turned on during the programme.

11. Drain Hose: If the machine is not permanently plumbed, hook the drain hose over the sink when in use.

If your HOOVER A3008 either won’t start or has stopped before finishing a programme, run through this simple checklist before assuming a breakdown:

1. Ensure you have pushed the Keyplate fully home and pressed the ‘On’ button.

2. Check that the machine door is fully closed.

3. Check that the dispenser drawer is fully closed.

4. Ensure there is an electricity supply to the machine. The red indicator light should be illuminated when the ‘On’ button is pressed. First, check the plug socket by plugging in another appliance, like a table lamp. If that does not work, the fuse in the fuse box has probably blown. If the other appliance works, check the fuse in the plug top of the washing machine.

5. Check that the supply of both hot and cold water to the machine is fully turned on and that there are no leaks from the hose connections.

6. Make certain that the drain hose is not kinked.

If the HOOVER A3008 stops during a programme with water above the bottom of the door opening, you can remove the load by following this procedure:

1. Switch off at the power socket and remove the plug.

2. Pull the machine out to access the back. Unclip the drain hose and lower the end carefully into a bucket to drain the water. If the bucket fills up, raise the end of the hose above the machine’s top level to stop the flow while you empty the bucket. Repeat until the water level is below the door opening, then replace the hose clip.

3. Push the ‘Off’ button. You can now open the door and remove the clothes.

If the machine stops with the water level already below the door opening, you can simply push the ‘Off’ button and open the door without needing to drain the water first.

Before you begin, turn on the electricity and water supplies and check that the drain hose is correctly positioned in the sink (if not plumbed in).

Step 1. Load the machine: Consult the ‘Which Programme?’ guide to sort your clothes. Open the door, put the load into the machine, and close the door firmly.

Step 2. Add detergent: Pull open the dispenser. Following the wash powder guide, measure and pour the correct amount of low lather wash powder into the main wash compartment (and pre-wash if needed). Add fabric softener to the centre compartment if desired. Close the drawer firmly.

Step 3. Power on: Press the ‘On’ button. The red indicator light will come on.

Step 4. Start the programme: Insert the Keyplate into the operating slot with your thumb over the selected programme title. Push the Keyplate fully home to start the machine. The machine will now automatically manage water intake, heating, washing, rinsing, and spinning. The indicator lights will show the progress of the programme.

If you have selected the Minimum Iron, Delicates, White Nylon, Drip Dry, or Man-made Fibre Blankets programme on your HOOVER A3008, the machine is designed to stop full of water at the end of the last rinse. This is a deliberate feature to minimise creasing of the fabrics.

When you return to the machine, you will notice the red ‘On’ light and the ‘Rinse’ light are illuminated. To complete the programme, do not attempt to open the door. Simply press the Keyplate in again. The machine will then finish the cycle. Once finished, remove the garments as soon as possible.

To ensure proper operation of your HOOVER A3008, please follow these guidelines:

• Do make sure your sink outlet grille is not blocked.

• Do make sure the end of the drain hose is above the water level in the sink during emptying to prevent water syphoning back into the machine.

• Do make quite certain that you only use a low lather washing powder.

• Do make sure the door and dispenser drawer are fully closed.

• Do remember that to start a programme you must push the Keyplate fully home.

• Do make sure the machine is empty of water and the programme is complete before opening the door (note that some programmes stop full of water by design).

• Do turn off both water taps fully when the machine is not in use, even if it is plumbed-in.

• Do turn off the electricity supply after all your washing is finished.

To prevent issues with your HOOVER A3008, please avoid the following:

• Don’t allow the drain hose to kink, as this could stop the machine from emptying.

• Don’t worry if you select the wrong programme. Simply push the ‘Off’ button, remove the Keyplate, select the correct one, and press ‘On’ again.

• Don’t leave wash powder in the dispenser for any length of time, as it may form lumps that are difficult to dissolve.

• Don’t forget that the machine has two safety locks on the door.

• Don’t forget to inspect and clean the filters on the water inlet valves if necessary, as described in the installation instructions.

The amount of low lather powder needed depends on water hardness and how soiled the clothes are. Be sure to use only a low lather powder suitable for front-loading automatic machines to avoid excess foam. For particularly dirty clothes, use a pre-wash programme and place half the recommended powder in the pre-wash compartment and the other half in the main wash compartment.

This guide will help you determine the approximate amount of powder for the main wash compartment (1 cup = approximately 3½ ozs):

For best results, treat stains immediately. Always test stain removers on an inconspicuous part of the garment first. Many stain removers are poisonous or inflammable, so keep them away from children and open flames, and work in a well-ventilated room.

Ball point and felt tip pens: Dab with methylated spirit (except on Tricel or Arnel).

Candle wax: Scrape off excess wax. Place the stain between two sheets of blotting paper and press with a warm iron. Treat with methylated or white spirit (except on Tricel or Arnel).

Grass: Sponge with methylated spirit (except on Tricel or Arnel).

Ink: Sponge immediately with cold water with a little liquid detergent added.

Iron mould: Use an iron mould remover (e.g., Movol) and wash immediately.

Mildew: Treat as soon as possible with a weak solution of bleach and wash immediately. Avoid over-bleaching.

Nail varnish: Dab with nail varnish remover or acetone (do not use on Tricel, Arnel, or acetate).

Oil (beach or car): Rub in a little solvent soap (e.g., Swarfega), rinse in cold water, and wash immediately. Alternatively, use a grease solvent (e.g., Thawpit, Dabitoff) and wash.

Paint (gloss or undercoat): Use a paint remover like Polyclens and wash immediately.

Paint (emulsion): Treat immediately under running water. If set, use Polyclens and wash immediately.

Paint (cellulose): Treat with acetone or nail varnish remover (do not use on Tricel, Arnel, or acetate).

Scorch marks: Bad scorch marks cannot be fully removed. Wash with soapy water with borax added, then gently rub in a little glycerine and wash again.

The Orange Keyplate on your HOOVER A3008 is used for the following programmes. For garments made from a mixture of fibres, wash at the temperature required for the more delicate fabric.

The White Keyplate on your HOOVER A3008 is used for special programmes for heavily soiled items, delicate items, or specific treatments.

Use the following table to match the International care label on your garments to the correct settings on your HOOVER A3008. Note that programme times are approximate and can vary based on factors like voltage, load size, and water temperature.

Fabric conditioners: These can be added to any wash programme to soften fabrics and reduce static ‘clinging’ on man-made fibres. Add the required quantity to the centre compartment of the dispenser. If you only want to treat a few items after washing, place the clothes in the machine, add the conditioner, and select the ‘Special treatments’ programme (on the White Keyplate).

Starching: For a large load, leave the washed articles in the machine. Pour the recommended dilution of starch into the drum, close the door, and select the ‘Special treatments’ programme. After starching, rinse the machine by selecting the ‘Special treatments’ programme again without any clothes inside.

Household bleaches: Household bleaches are not recommended for use in the HOOVER A3008 as they can damage fabrics if not used with great care. The recommended low lather detergents contain sufficient bleach for normal stains.

Separate cold rinse: This is useful for rinsing items like babies’ nappies before washing, removing dust from curtains, or rinsing hand-washed articles. Load the items, select the ‘Special treatments’ programme, and start the machine.

Spin dry programme: This programme (on the Orange Keyplate) can be used to give hand-washed articles an extra spin. For a short 20-second spin suitable for man-made fibres, select the programme and then remove the Keyplate after 20 seconds to complete the cycle automatically.

Preparing the Clothes:

• Repair any worn or torn clothes before washing.

• Empty all pockets.

• Close fasteners and tie apron strings or pyjama cords in a loose bow.

• For heavily soiled items, use a pre-wash programme from the white Keyplate.

• For dirty collars and cuffs, damp them and rub in a little bar soap (not powder) before washing.

Size of Load:

• Cottons and linens: The machine can wash up to 9 lb of dry clothes. A mixed load of large and small articles is preferable. Do not include more than three double or five single cotton sheets in one load. For highly absorbent items like towels and nappies, keep the load to approximately 6 lb to ensure thorough rinsing.

• Man-made fibres and special finishes: For drip-dry, minimum iron, and delicate fabrics, the load should not exceed 4 lb to avoid creasing.

• Machine washable wool: Reduce the load to approximately 3 lb to avoid felting and shrinkage.

• Mixed loads: While it’s best to sort clothes into separate loads, you can mix certain fabric groups. When mixing, always wash according to the lower care label number (e.g., wash a mix of items with label ‘2’ and ‘5’ using the programme for label ‘5’). Be aware that frequent mixing may cause greying of white articles.

This guide provides the approximate dry weight of various articles to help you assemble a proper wash load for your HOOVER A3008.

Woollens: Only wash woollen garments that are specifically labelled as machine washable (e.g., “Superwash” or “Washable Shrink Resistent”). Use the ‘Woollens’ programme. Garments not bearing these labels, including hand-knitted woollens (unless made from Superwash wool), should be washed by hand. The ‘Spin dry’ programme can be used to give hand-washed woollens a final spin to speed up drying.

Blankets: Many blankets are machine washable, but always check the label. Wash machine-washable woollen blankets on the ‘Woollens’ programme. Wash man-made fibre blankets on the ‘Man-made fibre blankets’ programme (on the White Keyplate).

Curtains: Sunlight, dust, and dampness can cause curtain materials to rot, which may only become apparent after washing. As curtains are often made from more than one type of fibre, it is safest to use the ‘Delicates’ programme if in doubt. Never machine wash glass fibre curtains, as tiny glass particles can break off and cling to the machine, causing skin irritation in subsequent washes.

Candlewick: Candlewick tufts can become loose. Many manufacturers recommend hand washing only. If machine washing is recommended on the label, use the ‘Delicates’ programme.

Colour fastness: The colour fastness of some fabrics depends on the wash temperature. Be careful not to include garments where dyes are likely to run in your normal load. Always check the garment manufacturer’s label for washing instructions.

Home dyeing: Your HOOVER A3008 is ideal for home dyeing. The method varies depending on the fabric and type of dye. It is very important to carefully follow the instructions on the dye container, including how to clean the machine afterwards. Home-dyed articles should always be washed separately. If you have any problems, check with the dye manufacturer.