half load washes

iceicebaby

Dunno whether this is the right place ..........

I live on me own, and before I get chance to do a full load of say whites or darks I have run out of clothes! (mainly socks n undies lol)

Therefore I tend to do half loads.

I wondered what you all thought about this? does it save energy doing a half load? or just water? Obviously I use half washing powder and fabric conditioner too!

carrottopsuk

Know the feeling. I would also be interested to know!

Also, what do people do about washing tea towels and microfibre cloths? I never have a full load when I wash them. (I haven't got a dishwasher to wash cloths in like some people suggest)

Queenie

Old fashioned concept, but for undies/cloths ... handwash?

When I was in a homeless hostel I didn't have a washing machine and the launderette was a long walk ... I would wash undies daily in the left over bath water. Cleaning cloths were washed in the washing up bowl after the dishes were done.

I think the amount of energy consumed would be the same and it's the water consumption which differs, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong about that :laugh:

pawpurrs

Sounds right quennie, energy will be the same, although apart from quennies excellent suguestion, you could use the quick wash, as I find that gets things clean enough.

Smashing_Blouse

I never have have enough whites for a full load, so do a half load on a 32 minutes wash.

dannahaz

carrottopsuk wrote:

Also, what do people do about washing tea towels and microfibre cloths? I never have a full load when I wash them. (I haven't got a dishwasher to wash cloths in like some people suggest)

I do my microfibre cloths on a 90 degree wash (the ones I have are recommended to be washed at this temp). I bought loads of them. I use a fresh one every day in my kitchen, I use several in a go when I am cleaning. When they are used, I put them in an empty bucket in my utility room, and then once a week I wash whatever is in the bucket - usually about 12 cloths - on for a hot wash. I use a tiny tiny amount of powder, and nothing else

I don't think of this as a waste as it's giving my wm pipes a good clean out as well.

astonsmummy

I do most of my washing on a quick wash (30mins) i do at least one a day as DS goes to nursery and dirties 2 lots of clothes, 3 if i'm lucky!:rolleyes:
One of the old ladies i go to for work boils her tea towels and dishcloths.

iceicebaby

Thank you everyone for youyr suggestions/help.

tawnyowls

dannahaz wrote:

I do my microfibre cloths on a 90 degree wash (the ones I have are recommended to be washed at this temp). I bought loads of them. I use a fresh one every day in my kitchen, I use several in a go when I am cleaning. When they are used, I put them in an empty bucket in my utility room, and then once a week I wash whatever is in the bucket - usually about 12 cloths - on for a hot wash. I use a tiny tiny amount of powder, and nothing else
I don't think of this as a waste as it's giving my wm pipes a good clean out as well.

I wash all my teatowels and microfibre cloths on this wash as well. I make sure they're thoroughly dry, and then store them in a plastic bag and wash every 2-3 weeks. As long as they're completely dry, you shouldn't get any bacterial growth on cloths - it's when they're left in a soggy heap that they start to grow stuff and stink. I stick a capful of disinfectant in with them as well (in the WM, not the bag!)

sloppychops

astonsmummy wrote:

One of the old ladies i go to for work boils her tea towels and dishcloths.

My hubbys grand mother still does this as well.

carrottopsuk

Thanks everyone for all the tips. I will follow your suggestions.