Old style laundry - hints and tips

Mschappie

r.mac wrote:

hiya,

I cleaned my washing machine last weekend by setting it on a 90 degree wash with nothing in it - using vinegar. It is now sparkling inside and teh soap scum (which I inherited from the machine's last owner) has all gone.

I have very sensitive skin, but use Tesco's own washing liquid (not the value range). It is sold in 1.5 litre bottles for about £2.30. I use one small capful per wash. This roughly equates to 2-3 tablespoons per load. Most brands make me itch too much, and I am very allergic to some economy brands. Tesco's is the best I have tried. For some reason liquid is less irritating than powder.

I ahve always used fabric softener. I suffered from home sickness when I moved away from home when I was younger. One thing that helped 'settle' me was using the same fabric conditioner that my mum used! However, seeing what it did to the washing machine 'tray' and reading the posts on this board, I have given up using it by pouring a capful in every wash.

Instead I am using a tablespoon of vinegar - works as well softwise, but doesn't give a smell. So I have diluted some softener with water, put in a spray bottle and spray things like my bedding and towels with a little when I hang them up to dry. This leaves a faint smell and hardly costs anything.

WOuld be interested to hear what others do.

Hi

Could you tell me how much vinegar you put into the machine and where you put it please (in the drum or in the powder dispenser)? I'm going to give this a try and also try cheaper powders as I spend a fortune each month on washing powder.

Thanks

Mschappie

Austin_Allegro

r.mac wrote:

austin,

do you use the vanish bar, oxi action stuff you put in the machine or the power spray?

I use the stuff designed to go into the machine, but I scrub it into collars and cuffs as well.

The vanish bar would seem to be just soap as far as I can make out.

r.mac_2

thanks austin - I have used the bar, but don't find it very good. Will try the powder.

mschappie - I use a couple of capfuls which amounts to approx 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar for a very full load of washing.

Talon_Karrde

so then....allow me to, uh, summarise??
1, Cycle you machine, empty with 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar in the soap tray to clean it up all sparkly and no scum.

2, Use up all you remaining branded, EXPENSIVE, powder/tablets/softner etc

3, Buy through trial and error, an own brand big box powder/ Big bottle liquid so as to use what you need, not pre measured tablets etc.

4, Buy Some napisan to throw in with the powder/liquid to brighten whites and colours and to make sure germs are killed at a very cool/cold wash

5, use 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar in the softener drawer as a replacement for softner (add essential oil for fragrance if you wish)

ummm....bingo?

ta muchly

Galtizz

Well Done Talon

Go to the top of the class, If I could do pictures I'd give you a gold star

The vinegar as softner is great, you'll love it (don't let hubby see you doing it though, they'll moan they'll smell of chips), you don't smell of chips by the way, you can't smell it at all, I've been doing it for ages and hubby hasn't noticed yet

Don't forget to try and find the filter on your washer and give that a clean once every couple of months. It's usually on the front towards the bottom.

Talon_Karrde

HA!! says i to you missus"
i AM hubby!! tsk tsk....such preconceptions don'tcha know! I am also a chef, so i does da cookin too matey!

one final question afore i get this laundry lark licked....
We use calgon at the moment, does the use of the vinegar negate the need for this? don't wanna knacker the machine now do i? then the missus really WOULD nag!!

ta muchly!

Galtizz

Oooopss, sorry, very politicaly incorrect of me you can have 2 gold stars. 1 for getting it right and 1 for knowing where the machine is, let alone how to use it

In answer to Calgon question yes, chuck it, I am sure someone will be able to give you a proper chemical answer as to why but in short, vinegar is best!

Austin_Allegro

I'm pretty sure that vinegar negates the need for Calgon, but I'm also pretty sure I read an article that refuted the need for Calgon anyway. When you added up the cost of using calgon and compare it to the average repair cost of limescale damage, people were spending a lot more on Calgon.

I'm no expert though!

Sofa_Sogood

Austin_Allegro wrote:

I've heard of some stuff called 'blueing' which I think is an old fashioned form of optical brightener,but it doesn't seem to be readily available in the UK.

Did you mean Reckitt's Blue AA? It used to come in small blue bags (I think) and if you weren't careful, the blue powder went everywhere

A relative that worked at Reckitts in Hull used to get me it for pennies (along with Lemsips, all the brand name polishes, Radox, the list was endless but all only cost a few pence each) but I think most of it's been sold on to another company or something.

Might be worth a Google? But I think as others have said, it only gave an 'appearance' of making things whiter.

It was popular though, especially at the prices it was sold in the factory shop;)

Austin_Allegro

Tallon, don't forget also:

Vinegar is a fabric softener so you don't need extra conditioner. However,to get the fresh smell and easy iron qualities of fabric conditioner (value brand of course), dilute the concentrated stuff by at least 50% and put in a spray bottle. Spray on clothes when hanging to dry and/or when ironing to get most of the effect at negligible cost.