Washing M/C Tips - Powder/Softener/Liquid, etc...

humfer

Hello all. Just got a new washing machine and to say it offers more than enough choices of various programmes is an understatement. Normally we have just put power is draw 1 and wack on cottons at 40deg and away it goes. But I now see (probably wasn't paying attention before) pre-wash programmes, power wash programmes that you can add on, and added to my utter confusion to all these new liquid gels, softeners, etc that seem to be appearing at the moment, just wondering if some kind sole would bring me into the 21st century and recommend whats what with washing!!

ic

My machine will do some hundred thousand combinations, however in the main I tend to use the 30oC cotton quick wash option, with tablets and softener - the cycle takes about an hour. I only up to 60oC when washing the bedding which the cats sleep on top of all day long when I'm out at work. I'm not a mucky pup and my clothes aren't covered in mud - I only want to freshen up my clothes again.

The AA40 wash on my machine takes about 2.5 hours - I can't see why it needs to wash for that long. The pre-wash is for use when you've really dirty stuff (rugby kit for example) that essentially needs washing twice, in five years I've never used this option.

wallbash

bring me into the 21st

Stay in the past and keep me company
I use number 8 on my washing machine , mostly on a 30 degree wash

Why do you need all these progs :eek:
My dishwasher gets more attention , but the dishes vary from wash to wash
my clothes on the whole dont.


Ps another rant , spent the last hour setting up the new answer phone :mad:

susieb1967

use ariel! and if your like me and buy the washing powder thats on offer at the time, intermittantly use ariel! (powder that is-all that gel stuff clogs your machine up!)

ktuludays

do regular maintenance washes on a high temp. your manual will explain it.

also when you aren't using the machine leave the door and powder draw open slightly. this allows air into the machine and stops that horrible stinky mouldy smell.

rachbc

i use 30 daily wear for most things with concentrated liquid, extra rinse wash with non bio for my daughter as she has eczema, 40 cottons for bedding, no crease cycle for hubbys work shirts, intensive synthetics for footy kit, 60 cotton intensive for dish cloths and tea towels.

I love all the different cycles, buttons, flashing lights and beeps on my new washer lol

Kazipoo

Mine has lots of programmes too, generally I use the 30 deg wash which takes 1 hour 25 mins, but there is a quick wash function which we use if something just needs a quick zap, and it takes only 15 mins, which is fab!! I always use tablets, but only one, I find using two leaves a residue and one seems to get them clean enough!

humfer

Ok. Here's a stupid question. We use Ariel Colour at the moment, which thinking about it probably explains why most of our whites aren't being cleaned as good as we'd expect. Mostly wash towels (white), shirts (mostly white, beige, etc..) and then the odd pair of jeans, etc. Better to use for example normal Ariel (or Persil) Bio for all the whites and then have a small box of Ariel or Persil Colour to do everything else?? Does it make any difference?

adsk

You need to wash whites with a powder for whites i.e. regular Ariel. These powders have bleaches and optical whiteners to make your whites 'white'. Colour liquids/powders don't have these chemicals because their presence would fade the colours but the whites do need them.

katies_mum

I use Ariel tablets in the green box for whites and was using Tesco coloured tablets for the rest. Have just got a new Panasonic washing machine (which is wonderful) but the Tesco ones do not disolve in the draw. Luckily I`ve only got a couple left. Have got a box of Ariel colour powder as it was on offer in Tesco.
I think Ariel is great. Mum thinks Daz powder is the best! I don`t like the
smell of the Aried gel.