washing powder not dissolving in machine

verynewmoneysaver

Thanks for replies. I think I will stop using fabric conditioner, but I have a stock of it. Is it good for anything else?

The_Old_Bag

I had a Zanussi W/M for 18 yrs - never had problem with the quality of the wash. Died a death and replaced it with another Zanussi. Been rubbish since day one. I am constantly having to clean out the rubber door seal - full of grey/greasy deposits which every once in a while seem to decide to work their way loose on their own, and end up on all the 'clean' clothes. Needless to say always seems to be on white wash, and have NEVER been able to get the marks off, no matter what I have tried ( inc neat bleach !!) - any suggestions would be appreciated.
Did call out an engineer when first happened, and I was advised not to use FC. Never have since, but still have the build up, and still have the occasional load of clothes RUINED. Also have problem with the occasional white powder marks appearing on clothes - of course on the coloured wash !!
When had 1st w/m (I plead youth,innocence and ignorant) NEVER cleaned out the powder drawer, nor the filters (- no one ever told me I had to !!). Yet I never had a problem. Now I clean them out regularly, and still end up ruining my latest/favourite clothes. I have a feeling it is something to do with all the new machines being "Cold Water Fill", my old Zanussi would use hot water fill, and only if the water was not up to a hot enough temp would it then need to heat it up inside the w/m. Did e-mail Zanussi to ask about this, but never heard back.
I will try the Soda and White vinegar, but how come we are in the 21st century and having to use the old time consuming methods our grandmothers did ??

mcoletta

Try and use extra rinse, if that doesn't work use less powder.
BTW I use "crap washing powder" and it works just as well, if not better!

mcoletta

Fabric conditioner can be used like Fabreeze, just get a spray bottle and some water and fill up the bottle with one cap full. Smells great!

matto

We had a similar problem using tablets but it turned out we weren't using them properly.

It seems that some go in with the wash and it's important you use the bag thing to hold them. Others are meant to go in the drawer and you have to get them the right way up.

Nile

Hello The Old Bag


Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

Katykat

Modern washing machines are designed to be used with less water & less washing powder. Its supposed to help the environment. Washing powders are now made to dissolve in or low temperatures, so its difficult to understand why you should use a hotter wash. The only time the washer should use such hot water nowadays is occasionally running a "clean out " wash as various people have advised, ie no clothes, very hot water and a spot of vinegar. Incidentally, I pour water into the conditioner compartment first, then the conditioner. This stops all the gunk clogging the pipes up. I religiously followed the advice in O/S and used vinegar instead of conditioner. Result ? No matter how little I used, my clothes still had a faint vinegary pong, so went back to conditioner. There is also no reason why you cant put the powder in the drum, we used to do it with twin tubs, and in Australia & America where most washers are top loaders, the powder goes in the drum.

mummytofour

verynewmoneysaver wrote:

Thanks for replies. I think I will stop using fabric conditioner, but I have a stock of it. Is it good for anything else?

You can try putting some on a face cloth and bunging it in the drier, acts like bounce would and its a load cheaper.

kazd

I read an article once that said you should use powder occasionally to keep the pipes clean and not to just use liquid. It was either good housekeeping or which

marybishop

Greasy, grey deposits sound familiar! W mach repairman told me it was because I use too much powder. If you can't see the washing because of the suds then using too much. Told me to halve the amount I was using - so far so good. Changed back from tabs to powder as it's easier to control amount you're using - try breaking tabs in half, right mess! He also said using Calgon was a waste of time - one lady he knew used it so much it eroded the parts away in the machine!