The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

Thriftygifty

We have a 30 degree 30min wash which I use for the kids organic cotton load however I then also put it on a 30 min rinse cycle as there is alway suds left. Then I use the 60 1 hour wash for everything else. The 40 degree wash the machine says it takes 2.5hours 😳 In all honestly I should read the manual. I use to put the machine on a 60 with some soap powder empty to wash it out but haven't done that for a long time and I guess not the actual way to clean it 🤦‍♀️. 

I joined a cleaning group in FB that's been really interesting someone dusted the inside of their radiators with micro cloth and a pole and showed the pile of dust it was alot, a few people were saying that they have also done it and seem to think they heat better now. 

Oh that's interesting about the plug thanks, I will see if I can find them in the river store although I've cancelled prime along with Netflix and now tv 2022 the year of minimal subscriptions if any! 

greenbee

@Thriftygifty - definitely read the manual for the machine. And if there are suds left, just use less detergent. 

Cleaning the machine - firstly, clean out the filter. Secondly read the manual to find the right programme (mine has one called ‘drum clean’ so it’s obvious - it’s a 90C wash, and you need to wipe the drum after as lots of fluff gets cleared out. I do it once a month - one month with soda crystals to clear out the grease, one month with citric acid to descale as I’m in a very hard water area. I was bedding and towels at 60 for whites, 50 for coloureds even though I know it’s unnecessary - it’s conditioning. Most stuff is washed at 30 or 40. 

I have a radiator brush, and when I first moved in here, the radiators were completely clogged (same in my last house). As they actually work by convection not radiation, keeping them clear is really important for efficiency (and not finding out how much dirt is hanging around).

RAS

And make sure radiators are hot to the top. If not, find the radiator key, use it and expect to turn the thermostat down.

euronorris

I should do the dusting thing. They are def hot to the top, so that's not a concern. The draught excluder def seems to be keeping it warmer by the front door. And I managed to turn down the thermostat a degree without DH noticing, so it hasn't kicked in today! 😁

cuddlymarm

Hi Thriftygifty
Can I ask if your kids have ‘play ‘ clothes that they change into when they are at home? As a mum of 2 ( now grown up) boys. School uniform, well jumpers and trousers were only washed when dirty. Sometimes sponging a mark was enough. Scruffy clothes can do a couple of days and cuts down on wear and tear of good clothes. Unfortunately this doesn’t work when they turn into stinky teenagers 😂

Thriftygifty

cuddlymarm said:

Hi Thriftygifty
Can I ask if your kids have ‘play ‘ clothes that they change into when they are at home? As a mum of 2 ( now grown up) boys. School uniform, well jumpers and trousers were only washed when dirty. Sometimes sponging a mark was enough. Scruffy clothes can do a couple of days and cuts down on wear and tear of good clothes. Unfortunately this doesn’t work when they turn into stinky teenagers 😂

Yes, I get them changed straight away from school, they are still quite young and not the best at staying clean they play hard at school and have the odd accident and food over them.  Their home clothes I'm OK with them being covered in food 😂

pineapple

LadOnTheHill said:

A washing machine is more awkward to work out, because the heater will use a certain amount to warm the water, where the drum rotating will use a lot less. I seem to recall some libraries loaning energy monitor plugs out. Maybe we should set up a thing here on mse where someone can borrow one for a fortnight, or something?

I don't have a washing machine due to a shared supply with low water flow. So I used a launderette till covid struck. However since shielding, a friend has been doing my washing. She won't take payment and I have got her the occasional groceries in my online shop instead. However I would really like an idea of what it is costing her (though she uses economy 7). .

RAS

Someone @Si_Clist ? was asking about Lidl seeds?

They are in. One third the expensive tapes, just over one third the small packs of veggies, herbs and flowers and nearly one third bigger packs of legumes and a few other flowers etc. Still 5 for £1 small packs and 5 for £2 bigger packs.

Anyone who used to buy them will know they had multiple carrots, lettuce, radish, peas and beans. Now two varieties of each, although a climbing French bean and two varieties of dwarf yellow. No mangetout this year.

Their packs of legumes are still a bargain compared with other suppliers. Unless you can get hold of DT Browns £1 packs at an event which cost more but have a lot of seed.

LadOnTheHill

pineapple said:

However I would really like an idea of what it is costing her (though she uses economy 7).

I remembered that I did a few tests a while back with our washing machine, and managed to find the details. Her machine will likely vary.

0 heat, fast wash = 86w (aka eco wash, I turned it down as much as possible,  30min)

1400 spin = 100w (20min)

60° half load 1400 spin = 800w (~2hr)

30° full load 1400 spin = 400w (~1.5hr)

My old twin tub used to wash everything in fifteen minutes, with whatever temperature water came out of the tap. Stuff came out clean, apart from muddy walking trousers on occasion. Very cheap on electricity, much more labour though.

wondercollie

LadOnTheHill said:

pineapple said:

However I would really like an idea of what it is costing her (though she uses economy 7).

I remembered that I did a few tests a while back with our washing machine, and managed to find the details. Her machine will likely vary.

0 heat, fast wash = 86w (aka eco wash, I turned it down as much as possible,  30min)

1400 spin = 100w (20min)

60° half load 1400 spin = 800w (~2hr)

30° full load 1400 spin = 400w (~1.5hr)

My old twin tub used to wash everything in fifteen minutes, with whatever temperature water came out of the tap. Stuff came out clean, apart from muddy walking trousers on occasion. Very cheap on electricity, much more labour though.

And you could reuse the wash water.  I'd start out with light colours, first load.  Load two mixed colours,   Load three the husbands grotty work clothes.   Usually done in less than an hour.