How many loads of washing a week?

savingssaver

I do two loads as a day as i have a big family

lostinrates

valk_scot wrote: »

Well unless you're economising by not using loo paper or sanitary protection why would they be stinking? Also a 40'C wash with detergent will kill everything necessary off. We're past the days of having to boil everything because of having nits or impetigo. Anyway, bio powder (which is necessary if pants have skid marks or blood on them or you've been mopping up ketchup) won't work over 60'C so a hot wash is a waste of time and money. 90'C washes are a throwback to pre-washing machine + detergent days, when boiling the clothes really was the only way to get them clean.

21st Century, folks. Make use of the technology. Everything that can be machine washed only needs 30'C or 40'C and supermarket detergent to get it clean enough for health!

fwiw not all of us use bio washing powder...some because of skin conditions or sensititvity, others because of septic tanks or sewage treatment centres.

when I want to use bio its handwashing, using water from buckets in the back garden, and useing the water to scrub the concrete paths/terrace out side. Its not something I fancy through winter certainly!

I really miss using bio washing powder regularly: there is a greater range for those that like scents etc and its very effective I think.

dibuzz

valk_scot wrote: »

My son plays rugby..two training sessions a week and one or two matches at the weekend. Match shorts have white panels...I find Fairy liquid and a nail brush helps. However he keeps his match kit just for matches..if it's a training day he wears plain navy rugby shorts and any old rugby top out the charity shop. The worst to wash is the body armour btw...son is a prop and needs padding..it gets soaked in a bucket of cold water after every session to get the sweat, blood and mud out.

I'd have a word with your sons' coach about kit. If they want white for matches fine, but for training it's totally ridiculous.

Thanks, I'll try the nailbrush and fairy liquid tip mext time. They both wear dark shorts and old rugby shirts for training, in fact son wears one his older brother wore for training 10 yrs ago and it's still going strong.
Until a month ago his team had to give their kit back for washing but now they just keep them which has caused some moaning from other mums but as the girls have always had to wash thier kit it makes no difference to me.
They both wear body armour and it stinks when they take it off.
I have been known to hang muddy kit on the line and hose it down before it goes near the washing machine.

valk_scot

lostinrates wrote: »

fwiw not all of us use bio washing powder...some because of skin conditions or sensititvity, others because of septic tanks or sewage treatment centres.

when I want to use bio its handwashing, using water from buckets in the back garden, and useing the water to scrub the concrete paths/terrace out side. Its not something I fancy through winter certainly!

I really miss using bio washing powder regularly: there is a greater range for those that like scents etc and its very effective I think.

I hardly ever use bio either, ditto laundry boosters etc. They make Hubby itch. But I don't actually care much if things like teatowels or wiping up cloths look a bit dingey as long as they're clean. For the odd stain on clothes I usually give them a cold soak and rub a bit of non-bio or Fairy into the stain before it goes in the machine, with or without use of nailbrush depending on fabric. The kids have scruff clothes for slobbing around the house (we all do, come to think of it) and if they come to meals in good clothes I send them to put an old t-shirt on.

Bio powders are a bit of a con I think...you'd be better off using non-bio as basic and then if you had something that warrented using a few enzymes (and you could, of course, as you rightly say above) then add a scoop of enzyme booster. Otherwise the enzymes gradually eat their way through protein based fibres like wool and silk if you use them on a regular basis.

Incidentally to add to the discussion on hand washing everything, I regularly go away camping for 6-8 weeks in the summer and belive me, hand washing for a family of four is something you get bored with extremely rapidly! So I've got a rule that for at least one day per week we've got to be on a campsite with a washing machine, preferably one of these massive german top loaders that can take the equivalent of three normal loads and spins at 2,000rpm. I've been known to go to certain campsites just because I remembered they had a good washing machine. If I had a bigger family, was doing 20+ normal loads a week and had space, I'd definately consider buying a top loader. They are infinately better than our titchy little front loaders...and I say this as the owner of a german built Bosch front loader which is as good as they get.

[Deleted User]

valk_scot wrote: »

21st Century, folks. Make use of the technology. Everything that can be machine washed only needs 30'C or 40'C and supermarket detergentto get it clean enough for health!

call me old fashioned then. I just don`t do knickers with tea towels and both get washed separately in 60 degree washes

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/appliance-industry-news/41-news/3226-low-temperature-washes-slammed-in-reports.html

omg, after reading that I am going to do a 95 wash once a month, with a bleach. Probably with white towels, so the wash isn`t wasted. My mum was right all along

lilrahi

Hi kittie, thanks for that link. Who knew?? Methinks I too need to get the bleach out and crank up the temperature.

And thanks to everyone else for making me feel better about having 5+ loads of washing a week! DH complains it's too much but strangely enough not as much as when he has no clean clothes to wear!

lostinrates

kittie wrote: »

call me old fashioned then. I just don`t do knickers with tea towels and both get washed separately in 60 degree washes

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/appliance-industry-news/41-news/3226-low-temperature-washes-slammed-in-reports.html

omg, after reading that I am going to do a 95 wash once a month, with a bleach. Probably with white towels, so the wash isn`t wasted. My mum was right all along

My browser won't let me open this link (I have a very fussy browser) can someone give me a brief synopsis of the info please?:o

edit :fwiw septic tank users also have to be careful with bleach use. I think a hot wash probably kills any nasties in the machine, and put my cleaning cloths in that because they are also nasty and I don't mind if they shrink or whatever. Up until recently I've been an every thing at 40 degree kinda gal: I really feel being totally bugless is a really bad idea for immune systems. I have a weak immune system because of health, and I don't get thrush or anything form my washing, even when its been at 40. I only mentioned the 60 degree thing because having been so convinced 40 was good enough and trying to be OS and eco conscious this was revised knowledge.

I think its a balance because while no one wants to breed nasties in their machine, neither is an over sterile home environment healthy.

[Deleted User]

lostinrates will this do (blast I can`t do the hyperlink so here goes)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050239/How-washing-machines-familys-health-risk-Low-temperatures-mixed-loads-spreading-dangerous-bugs.html


I heard sally bloomfield on the radio and she practises what she preaches. I have got the dishwasher on an empty high temperature wash now, with a cleaner. God knows what lurks in there :eek:

lostinrates

kittie wrote: »

lostinrates will this do (blast I can`t do the hyperlink so here goes)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050239/How-washing-machines-familys-health-risk-Low-temperatures-mixed-loads-spreading-dangerous-bugs.html


I heard sally bloomfield on the radio and she practises what she preaches. I have got the dishwasher on an empty high temperature wash now, with a cleaner. God knows what lurks in there :eek:

thank you very much, that one opened fine.:) I have no diswasher, and tbh, I think some of that is a little OTT for most normal households. Lots of my knickers are labelled 40 degree wash, and some are so delicate I hand wash them. I suppose I could add dettol or napisan every now and then, I've never done that. I also machine wash some delicates and things like cashmere jumpers, I don't feel the need to disinfect them, nor do I want felt back for the cashmere I put in!:D

I feel that my one hot wash a week probably kills things so that a population cannot build up, I'm not sure about the rest. I feel its fairly unlikely, unless we are ill, that failing to wash everything at 60 is going to damage us, where us I feel certain a zero approach to germs etc will.


I am pleased to have OS endorsement and the artical about non bio. I don't feel it cleans as well, but hey ho, its never bothered me using it, and I don't have a choice any way, lol.

valk_scot

I would also like to point out that the place you're most likely to find Staphylococcus aureus in the house is on your face and up your nose especially. Now admit it, how many of you wash your hands without fail every time you blow your nose? Just as well you're mostly immune to your local strains

As for E coli, what strain? Very few strains are harmful to humans either which is just as well because your gut is absolutely full of it.

If you wash just your own family's clothes together it doesn't make a whit of difference if some of these harmless local strains get passed round. TBH you'll get the exact same effect if your spotty teenager touches his face while he's drying the dishes for you, or if someone flushes the loo with the seat up and your towel rail is within ten feet of it.

You'd be better off putting your bleach and disinfectant in the bathtub when you have a bath tbh. Alternatively, why not rely on your immune system to shrug off a few minor germs? Unless of course your immune system hasn't developed properly due to your mum being far too enthusiastic with the cleaning materials when you were young.

And, you know, the Daily Mail. Give us a break....