Washing machine leaving strange stains on clothes!

mrtobs

Our washing maching (its a bosch washer-dryer) seems to be leaving odd stains on some of our clothes (worked out that its the washing machine by a process of elimination). It's yellowish & looks like wee (can assure you it isn't - although we did suspect the cats for a while - very unfairly as it turned out!!). Once it appears, we can't get it out (even with stain remover), we wondered if its some sort of grease, but really don't know. Does anyone know what might be the cause?

SuziQ

Have you tried cleaning the machine, by running a good few cups of white vinegar through it? I do this regularly now after being advised to do so by a friends hubby who is a white goods repair man. He says it clears all the grease and detergent which accumulates and helps to keep down any hard calcium deposits in the machine. Hope you get it sorted.

mrtobs

SuziQ wrote: »

Have you tried cleaning the machine, by running a good few cups of white vinegar through it? I do this regularly now after being advised to do so by a friends hubby who is a white goods repair man. He says it clears all the grease and detergent which accumulates and helps to keep down any hard calcium deposits in the machine. Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks, I've tried putting that washing machine cleaning stuff through, but not tried the vinegar idea - will give this a go - do you just put the vinegar in as you would detergent & then put a usual wash on?

macman

No, you need to use a couple of cupfuls on a hot wash (90 degrees).
If you are washing regularly only on low temps (30/40) then you will get a build up of undissolved soap scum.
Obviously don't use a pre-wash cycle.

dibuzz

Why can't you use a pre-wash cycle macman?
I'm interested as our washing smells if its not taken out straight away and I'm looking for solutions/suggestions.

docmatt

Our washing machine started to smell, I went to poundland and bought the biggest bleach they did for about £6 and poured the whole thing in there and banged it on a 95 degree 2 hour wash. It must have cleaned every single crevice known to man.

I didn't know about the vinegar though, i'll do that next time

DVardysShadow

dibuzz wrote: »

Why can't you use a pre-wash cycle macman?
I'm interested as our washing smells if its not taken out straight away and I'm looking for solutions/suggestions.

I would guess - given that the advice is to use it on a hot wash - that a prewash will remove it before it does its job.

macman

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I would guess - given that the advice is to use it on a hot wash - that a prewash will remove it before it does its job.

10 out of 10.
And when done you can wipe the door seal out with some neat vinegar.

abankerbutnotafatcat

Ok, stupid question. [MSE is full of amazing uses for white vinegar like this one - and I use liquid detergents on 30/40c washes so am keen to try this out].

Where do I buy this white vinegar? Is it just stuff used for cooking that I get from Sainsburys (other supermarkets are available) or is it sold as a cleaning product? I'm presuming it's not white wine vinegar which I do have!!

macman

Yes, the standard cooking product.
You could use white wine or cider vinegar, but I'd draw the line at balsamic, even if you do live in Islington
As long as it's got acetic acid it should do the job.

abankerbutnotafatcat

macman wrote: »

but I'd draw the line at balsamic, even if you do live in Islington

Thanks, love it!!

So there isn't a cheaper generic white vinegar for household use?