Washing machine cleaning

s_glover

Wilkos definitely sell soda crystals.

Some supermarkets probably also stock them.

MartinWickham

I don't have problems with a gunky machine, but it's probably only because I always avoid over-using washing powder.

I do, however, have problems with the elastic failing in clothes and the best I was able to ascertain was that this can be caused possibly be using any of: vinegar, oxygen bleaches, washing soda or fabric conditioner; this might need to be balanced against any consideration of keeping the machine clean, or trying to condition fabrics.

It's also worth remembering that some parts of washing machines are aluminium, particularly the large 'spider' which fastens the rear of the drum to the axle on which it spins. Acids do react with aluminium and drums have been known to break loose during the spin cycle where acid has corroded the spider badly.

In a similar vein, the spin cycle generates a lot of heat in the machine's motor and it takes a number of hours to cool adequately. Over-heating destroys the insulation of the coils leading to premature failure of the motor. Where possible, use a domestic washing machine only once each day, or give it a number of hours to cool between runs.

graememartin

We've used white vinegar in our washing machine for ages - but not to keep it clean (though it probably does this too).

We use white vinegar instead of fabric 'softener'.


We add about a cup of wv to each wash. Surprisingly the washing does not come out smelling of vinegar. Instead it comes out incredibly 'fresh', and does not make the washing smelly if you leave it in the machine for a few hours like it does if you use fabric softener. Also I'm told that some 'softeners' actually attack the fibres in the clothes, eventually contributing to them wearing out. wv does not do this. Clothes also come out just as soft and comfortable to wear.


Buy from Sa*nsb*rys or T*s*o own brands at about 50p a bottle - much cheaper than S*rs*ns! Give it a try, you'll not look back, honestly!!

RedbullRJ

Another vote for cheap white vinegar, you could also try budget German supermarkets washing machine cleaner.

If you are on an economy 7 electric tariff, do the high temp wash during cheap rate time ,as it ues a lot more electric than a cool wash.

Melancholie

graememartin wrote: »

We've used white vinegar in our washing machine for ages - but not to keep it clean (though it probably does this too).

We use white vinegar instead of fabric 'softener'.


We add about a cup of wv to each wash. Surprisingly the washing does not come out smelling of vinegar. Instead it comes out incredibly 'fresh', and does not make the washing smelly if you leave it in the machine for a few hours like it does if you use fabric softener. Also I'm told that some 'softeners' actually attack the fibres in the clothes, eventually contributing to them wearing out. wv does not do this. Clothes also come out just as soft and comfortable to wear.


Buy from Sa*nsb*rys or T*s*o own brands at about 50p a bottle - much cheaper than S*rs*ns! Give it a try, you'll not look back, honestly!!

I use white vinegar in place of fabric softener as I was told it helps to get bacteria out of the clothes (we had some issues with clean clothes smelling of BO as soon as they were put on). However, I have to do a rinse cycle after with fabric softener as the clothes come out reeking of vinegar if I don't. I'd love to know how you manage to get that not to happen!

trulymadlyhannah

You can buy them from amazon. Soda crystals are also known as sodium carbonate and it's cheaper to buy in bulk. They can be used for cleaning or added to laundry to help remove stains.

Honestly though, if you haven't any, I would just use its slightly milder cousin - sodium bicarbonate/bicarbonate of soda (or baking soda), which you are much more likely to have in your house! - We use this instead for cleaning our washing machine (and loads of other things) and it does a brilliant job.

We also use white vinegar as fabric conditioner, we use this one. It cost 10.99 for 20 litres and it worked out 6p for 100mls. My husband misses the smell of commercial fabric conditioner, but it does the conditioning part really well, especially on towels, they have never been so fluffy! We bought our 20 litres in January and we still have a full 5l bottle left, so it might last a full year. We wash for 6 and also use the white vinegar for cleaning/descaling too!

trulymadlyhannah

Melancholie wrote: »

I use white vinegar in place of fabric softener as I was told it helps to get bacteria out of the clothes (we had some issues with clean clothes smelling of BO as soon as they were put on). However, I have to do a rinse cycle after with fabric softener as the clothes come out reeking of vinegar if I don't. I'd love to know how you manage to get that not to happen!

How much white vinegar are you using? We use about 1/2 to 3/4 of a fabric conditioner sized cap full (or a little more for towels and bedding to help prevent static if we are using the drier:eek:) They sometimes smell a little vinegary when wet, but that completely disappears when the clothes have dried :T - hope this helps!

trailingspouse

I totally understand the OP wanting to save money by not washing hotter than they need to. But I would balance that by saying that the occasional very hot wash is cheaper/better in the long run than having to replace a seal because it's mouldy, or having a machine that smells or contains black mould (which is very unhealthy).

If you really want to save money, don't use fabric softener. There's no need for it.

Guineapigsqueaks

I never use fabric softener, just bio powder. Wash mostly at 40, but towels and bed sheets at 60, occasionally whites at 90 when they are ready for a brightening up. I wipe around seals every so often and leave door open slightly between washes.
The advice about using machine only once a day if possible or leaving a couple of hours between washes made me smile. I'm sure it's absolutely correct, but the chance of that happening in this house is zero :-).
Guineapigsqueaks x

aintreemaid

Oo-er! Where am I going wrong?

After reading these comments, I'm sure I should have the mouldiest, smelliest washing machine in the world!

My "old faithful" (a 21 year-old Bosch) does a weekly towel/tea towel wash at 60[FONT=&quot]°, all others at 40[/FONT][FONT=&quot]°, with Persil bio powder and I do nothing else.
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[FONT=&quot]The door's left ajar between washes and I've never had a problem with mould or smells.[/FONT]