How do you use less (making things go further)

jobbingmusician

calleyw wrote:

jobbingmusician wrote:

Well I have been doing it for years and had no problems with either of my machine gunging up. It could be do with the fact that once a week I use a 60 or 90 degree wash for towels/bedding/underwear.

It could also to do with the fact that I use vinegar in my final rinse. The machine I had before this one lasted 5 years and that was second hand. And my current one is about 5 years old and is still working fine.

So sorry I am not about to change what I do. As it works for me and I have no problems. But I am sure that someone will find the information useful. I also suspect that most of the machines your OH saw no one ever used anything other than a 40 degree wash. As that will make a big difference.


Yours


Calley

Thanks Calley - I think you are helping your machine by doing hotter washes and using vinegar. You're probably pretty well protected. But OH expects machines to last at least 10 years once he gets his hands on them (you sound to be well on the way towards this )

wishingonastar_3

a big part of machines gunging up is using a cooler wash, which doesn't disolve the soap properly. the vinegar in the rinse will def help, also i run mine on empty on a 90 degree wash every six months or so, fingers crossed its lasted me 11 years so far,

woas.

HOLsale

exlibris wrote:

I do this with fruit teabags.

One bag is usually too weak for me so I use a teapot, put 2 bags in and then add a third for top-ups.

Ordinary teabags I use twice anyway as I like weak tea!

you can save those fruit tea bags aside in the fridge til your next bath. toss all the ones you have in there, let them steep while you run your bath, remove when you want to get in and have a free aromatherapy type treatment :blushing:

calleyw

jobbingmusician wrote:

calleyw wrote:

Thanks Calley - I think you are helping your machine by doing hotter washes and using vinegar. You're probably pretty well protected. But OH expects machines to last at least 10 years once he gets his hands on them (you sound to be well on the way towards this )

I hope you don't think I was trying to say that your OH was talking rubbish. Far from it. Also to many people over dose there machine.

So fingers crossed I am doing the right thing and like wishingonastar I on the odd occasion run the machine with nothing in it or just a little bleach to clean out all the gubbins inside.

Yours


Calley

jobbingmusician

Not at all, Calley. I think you are doing good stuff with your machine. It just came as a TREMENDOUS surprise to me (as a long-term MSE - translate as mean old bag who'd been under-dosing) to hear how damaging underuse of powder can be if you don't do anything about it! :heartsmil

Lucie_2

The amount of powder you need use will also depend on whether you have hard or soft water.

Aside: I got collared by a man in Costco today flogging dishwasher cleaner; I told him vinegar was much better than his £3 little bottle of chemicals!

kiwichick

Have been reading this thread with interest and am as a result my WM is now on a 90 degree wash with nothing in it. I didnt have either bleach or vinigar(sacriledge-sp? I know) so instead I chucked in 1 tbsp of bicarb thinking it would be better than nothing.

I normally do a 40 degree wash using 1/4 cup of soda and 1 capful of liquid and never thought about the damage I might be causing the machine. It now 20 mins into the cycle and despite putting no detergent in the machine its absolutely FULL of suds!!! I'll be doing this more often thats for sure!

thriftlady_2

kiwichick wrote:

Have been reading this thread with interest and am as a result my WM is now on a 90 degree wash with nothing in it.

So is mine!!

bizzy_lizzie

I cant understand how everyone is managing with half dose soap powders. When i tried it no-one said anything for a few weeks but then even the kids asked if the washing had actually been washed. Are we exceptionally sweaty people ? ( please dont say yes, its not a nice picture !)
On the other side of the same coin the last washing machine was 12years old & doing okay until something went bang inside & the plumber said it was well & truly dead. It never blocked up once & I do white & sheets on 90 and delicates on 40 & anything else on 60.

calleyw

bizzy_lizzie wrote:

I cant understand how everyone is managing with half dose soap powders. When i tried it no-one said anything for a few weeks but then even the kids asked if the washing had actually been washed. Are we exceptionally sweaty people ? ( please dont say yes, its not a nice picture !)
On the other side of the same coin the last washing machine was 12years old & doing okay until something went bang inside & the plumber said it was well & truly dead. It never blocked up once & I do white & sheets on 90 and delicates on 40 & anything else on 60.

I have no idea. I do sweat a bit as I am fat bird :rotfl: And some times I don't even wear any deodorant if I am not going anywhere. I know smelly moo :rotfl:

But I do have a wash/shower/bath ever day.

I mean I have even forgotten or clicked the machine on to far and washed clothes with out any powder in and they still seem to come out smelling fresh.


Yours

Calley