Tips for washing machine?

dekaspace

I live in Scotland,I have noticed no matter what machine or powder I used I got white marks on clothes and if I accidently mixed something the colour was always there, oh and there was always lumps of powder still in tray.

I used white vinegar this time (wasn't sure what tray to put it in though) all the powder dissolved and my former whites that had colour stains in became white again, not sparkling new but not dull either.

Just wondered why this was and if it was why people recommend it?

Fen1

When was the last time you took out the powder drawer and thoroughly cleaned it, and the hole it goes into? The drawers can gunk up really quickly, therefore powder accumulates in the compartment.

Have you tried using a liquid detergent?

Are you in a soft water area? If so, you may only need half the recommended dose of detergent.

How full do you fill the drum with clothes? Never fill a drum more than 3/4 full. If the clothes are stuffed to the brim, there won't be enough room for the clothes, water and detergent to mingle thoroughly. There should be enough room in the drum for the clothes to thoroughly rinse. If the clothes don't thoroughly rinse you may end up with powder patches, simply because the powder hasn't had the space to be washed off.

monnagran

You will find that if you use powder in the drawer it will clog up. Also if the drawer is not cleaned out frequently you will get a lot of black grunge in it.

If I were you I would use a liquid detergent. Most of the liquid detergent bottles have a cap that you fill with the detergent and put the whole thing on top of the clothes inside the machine. Of course you don't need to fill the cap, usually half the amount will be enough.

Well done on using white vinegar. Not only is it cheaper, it keeps your clothes fresh and your machine squeaky clean inside.
You put the vinegar in the tray that you would usually put fabric conditioner in.

Hope this helps.