30 degree wash

JaneAire

Hi,

I have a second hand washer so I dont have the manual. I wonder if anyone can shed light on a question which really bugs me. It has all the usual settings (but no 30 degree option) on the dial, but then also a wide selection of buttons.

Anyone know what "energy saver" or "eco ultra" buttons would do? and why I have both? Sometimes I press them and sometimes I dont but I can't work out what difference it makes.

Thanks for any ideas, JA

wyebird

Our washing machine doesn't have a heater (american top loader) and isn't plumbed in to the hot water, so any form of heat requires use of a hosepipe across the kitchen , hence most of our washing is cold only. I use liquid detergent and the soak function, and am really pleased with how clean it is. We have less problems with grey whites caused by stray black socks leaping into the drum as well!

ixwood

JaneAire wrote: »

Hi,

I have a second hand washer so I dont have the manual. I wonder if anyone can shed light on a question which really bugs me. It has all the usual settings (but no 30 degree option) on the dial, but then also a wide selection of buttons.

Anyone know what "energy saver" or "eco ultra" buttons would do? and why I have both? Sometimes I press them and sometimes I dont but I can't work out what difference it makes.

Thanks for any ideas, JA

Google instruction manuals. It'll be online somewhere (I've seen manual sites on here before as well).

But in the mean time... use them!! :-)

ixwood

I do most things on 30, with a small table spoons worth of powder per wash. Never had any problems.

Bedding and towels on 60 to kill bedbugs and germs.

I then put shirts and trousers on hangers and hang to dry. Most things come up OK. No ironing, folding, or hanging twice. In fact, I've never ironed anything in my life. And hopefully never will.

For t-shorts and smalls etc, I dry in on a stand in the bathroom and then live hand to mouth from there until it's empty!! No putting away and clothes on hand. Er... Not that I want to sound too lazy or anything!!

Oh and (as usual) sod the advertising/marketing hype. I use the cheapest value no brand powder (in a huge box) and it's fine. Arial have tried to claim 30 degree washing!!

All in, I think I must spend less than a fiver a year on clothes washing products.

[Deleted User]

I have done a search and cannot find an appropriate thread. Sorry if this has been done to death

I bought my first ariel 30 the other day and am about to use it later today. I must admit that I am concerned about bacteria etc as I do know that water has to be at 60 to kill bacteria

http://housekeeping.about.com/od/cleaning101/f/hotwaterbacteri.htm

I just found the above link (re washing dishes but appropriate)

mmmm, I`m now thinking that I won`t be washing towels, flannels, knickers, tea towels at 30. My sheets will be ok because there are only the two of us

what are your thoughts please?

seraphina

I'm like you - I don't like washing at 30 for hygiene reasons. All my sheets, bedding, towels, hankies etc get done at 60 to kill off dustmites - most other clothing gets done at 40.

In terms of saving energy - I do my bit by not washing my clothes until they're dirty (obvious things like socks and pants excepted:rotfl:)- a lot of people I know wear their clothes once and then wash them straight away.

Skint_Catt

seraphina wrote: »

I'm like you - I don't like washing at 30 for hygiene reasons. All my sheets, bedding, towels, hankies etc get done at 60 to kill off dustmites - most other clothing gets done at 40.

In terms of saving energy - I do my bit by not washing my clothes until they're dirty (obvious things like socks and pants excepted:rotfl:)- a lot of people I know wear their clothes once and then wash them straight away.

Ditto. Every now and then I get brave and do a wash at 30, but it has to be 'not so dirty' stuff! OH's shirts, towels and bedding ALWAYS gets doen at 60 - though this is only probably one load a week. Everything else I feel needs 40 and I agree - we don't wear things once and then wash (except underwear!)

Catt xx

belfastgirl23

I do nearly everything at 30. The bacteria thing doesn't even occur to me except with gym stuff where it does smell if you don't wash it at 40 occasionally. The only time I do higher temp washes would be if something is stained (which is very rare in our house and mostly would be a food spot on a top or something which I would treat separately and wash as normal). I guess I figure any bacteria is our own anyway and unlikely to harm us Most of our clothes couldn't take higher than a 40 wash in any case.

I hear cold water washes are also very effective but have never tried them. Anyone else had a go?

thriftmonster

I have tried 30 but it just doesn't get things clean for me even with bio powder - the kids are quite hard on their clothes. I do everything at 40, except bedding which I do at 60. Like others I try not to wash it if it's not dirty - although the kids' idea of tidying clothes is to stick them in the washing basket - grrrr!!

bobbadog

I do nearly everything at 30, minus towels and bedding. Haven't found any problems - my main concern is that OH's clothes look / smell clean (he's a tradesman and a bit of a mucky pup!) x