New Washing Machine

wendywitch

I've ordered a new washing machine and it's due for delivery on the 20th April.

What I need is all the advice you can give on taking care of it. I want it to last and work as well as possible.
I've brought some Ecoballs and I'm going to give them ago - even though many people on the site say they are rubbish

What other detergents to you suggest?
Should I buy "calgon" or would you advise something else?

Any advice would be gratefully received

mouseymousey99

Used to buy Calgon when I lived in Cambridge, sort of fell out of the habit now. I knew a washing repair chap who said it helped if you ran your machine once a week empty - how true that was I can't say. I like Bold & Lenor (I know its £££'s more - eeek) but I like the smell and the way my washing feels.

rachbc

i think the best thing is to buy a decent machine to start with - I've had a bosch for 8 years, used daily and not done anything specific to look after it. I use half rec amount of cheap liquid detergent and no conditioner, am in a hardwater area but never used calgon etc and not a single problem.

sassygirl_2

If you add up the amount it would cost to use calgon in every wash as recomended you will find that at the end of the year you'd be better off buying a new washing machine!
Run the machine on a 90 degree wash once a week using no detergent or softner and just stick a couple of tea towels in. Will keep everything nice and fresh and working well :0)

mouseymousey99

Hi Rachbc - another Bosch here touch wood 9 yrs (hope it doesn't read this and throw a wobbly) but still going strong..

ivyleaf

I used to use Calgon, but now I get the W5 limescale tabs from Lidl as they are far cheaper. i do run a hot wash with no washing in the machine when i remember, about every couple of months.

geordie_joe

sassygirl wrote: »

Run the machine on a 90 degree wash once a week using no detergent or softner and just stick a couple of tea towels in. Will keep everything nice and fresh and working well :0)

I would add some vinegar too, it dissolves the lime scale in my kettle like nothing else!

daska

I used to use a magnoball and ecoballs - and the washing was lovely and soft and came out clean. (Well except that I must have sent the kids down the mine in their white stockinged feet... how do kids get their socks sooooo dirty?). I've had to stop using the ecoballs because they get trapped in the door of my washer/dryer and get scored through. I now use the Lidl washing liquid - the equivalent to 'small and mighty'. A half dose does the job beautifully.

Minihauk

I always use a bit of soda crystals, half the amount of liquid detergent and white vinegar. Washing comes out lovely and clean, no vinegar smell, and no "gunk" left in the door seals.

wendywitch

So, what is best liquid, powder or tablets?

rachbc

i use liquid because hubby gets cross when powder ends up all over his work shop floor and I don't use tablets because i like to be able to choose how much I use not have it determined by the manufacturer