Washing machine temperature problem

neilmcl

I don't know if my ageing Bosch washing machine is playing up or is it because I've changed washing detergent but I've noticed colours running on washes more frequently.

I normally do a 40 degree wash for all my coloureds and usually that's OK but recently I've been using standard Ariel gel rather than my usual non-bio Fairy and the colours have been running, so I'm not sure whether there's a problem with perhaps the temperature sensors of the machine or the detergent itself.

poppellerant

When did you last run a maintenance wash, of at least 60c? If more than a few months, run a 90c wash with a very small squirt of bleach and extra rinses. On my own Bosch I choose Aqua Plus and Wash Plus when running a maintenance wash.

If the bleach doesn't help, try the same cycle only using citric acid instead of bleach. The citric acid will also help in the removal of limescale. I normally buy mine from Wilko's for £1.75, here.

EssexExile

The easy way to find out is to go back to your old detergent.

neilmcl

poppellerant wrote: »

When did you last run a maintenance wash, of at least 60c? If more than a few months, run a 90c wash with a very small squirt of bleach and extra rinses. On my own Bosch I choose Aqua Plus and Wash Plus when running a maintenance wash.

If the bleach doesn't help, try the same cycle only using citric acid instead of bleach. The citric acid will also help in the removal of limescale. I normally buy mine from Wilko's for £1.75, here.

I do a regular 90 degree wash for whites. How would a maintenance wash fix my issue?

neilmcl

EssexExile wrote: »

The easy way to find out is to go back to your old detergent.

This is my next step, it does seem a bit of a coincidence that this has only started happening since I started using the bio detergent.

Ectophile

It's easy enough to check the temperature - stick your hand on the glass window on the front of the machine, while it's doing the initial wash. But give it time to warm up the water first.


Just warm = about 30 degrees.
Definitely warm = about 40 degrees.
Quite hot = about 60 degrees.
Seriously hot = about 90 degrees.


Most detergents work fine at 30 degrees these days, so there's no particular need to do hotter. Except that it's a good idea to do a hot (60 degree) wash from time to time, just to avoid the machine going mouldy inside.

poppellerant

neilmcl wrote: »

I do a regular 90 degree wash for whites. How would a maintenance wash fix my issue?

I gather you use primarily liquids for washing your clothes? The build up of gunk from these liquid detergents, especially when used on low temperatures, may cause different issues - especially if the build up is quite heavy.

A good 90c wash with citric acid can work wonders. But I would recommend a hot wash (as you already do) with biological powder. Using liquid detergent can be unhealthy for your machine.

Downsides to liquid detergent

The most important thing to realise about liquid detergent is that it doesn’t contain bleaching agent. Bleach helps to keep the washing machine free from bacteria and black mould. It’s therefore kind to coloured laundry but not so effective for whites. If liquid detergent is used with mostly low temperature wash programmes it can result in serious problems over time. Nasty slime and grease can build up and cause a smelly washing machine. Apart from being annoying this grease and slime can shorten the life of your washing machine.

https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/which-is-the-best-type-of-washing-machine-detergent/

If you use liquid detergents or liquid capsules then this is most likely the problem or a good proportion of the cause as there is no chlorine bleaching agents in liquid powder and it has a tendency to smell a bit ripe after a while. It is also VERY easy and prone to over-dosing, which can lead to a congealed mass of goo in, or on, the drum which, in extreme cases can actually corrode the aluminium drum shaft.

https://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/cleaning-help/cleaning-maintenance/2657-smelly-washing-machines/

neilmcl

poppellerant wrote: »

I gather you use primarily liquids for washing your clothes? The build up of gunk from these liquid detergents, especially when used on low temperatures, may cause different issues - especially if the build up is quite heavy.

A good 90c wash with citric acid can work wonders. But I would recommend a hot wash (as you already do) with biological powder. Using liquid detergent can be unhealthy for your machine.https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/which-is-the-best-type-of-washing-machine-detergent/

https://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/cleaning-help/cleaning-maintenance/2657-smelly-washing-machines/

I'm fully aware of and understand all that but no offence it's still not answering the issue in hand.

poppellerant

neilmcl wrote: »

I'm fully aware of and understand all that but no offence it's still not answering the issue in hand.

Well there could well be a build of crud near the heater and/or the thermostat. You mentioned that you were "not sure whether there's a problem with perhaps the temperature sensors" - so my aim was simply to clean your machine of any gunk built up.

Sorry for helping.

getmore4less

Chances are it is the detergent change but lets explore other options.


Are you sure you have not put something new(ish) into the washes.

Colour run from stuff that has been washed a few times tends not to happen.

Any particular colour, I try to avoid reds with anything a lighter colour they go in with the darks but can still cause issues while still newish.

Are you using eco cycles(less water used) and or very full loads.


Go back to your old detergent first.

neilmcl

getmore4less wrote: »

Chances are it is the detergent change but lets explore other options.


Are you sure you have not put something new(ish) into the washes.

Colour run from stuff that has been washed a few times tends not to happen.

Any particular colour, I try to avoid reds with anything a lighter colour they go in with the darks but can still cause issues while still newish.

Are you using eco cycles(less water used) and or very full loads.


Go back to your old detergent first.

This is just it the clothes were fairly old and been washed together plenty of times. It was indeed a red sweatshirt that had run and ended up turning all the other darks that had any white in them (waistbands etc) a nice shade of pink

It was a full wash and I did check the last time a ran a load and the glass door felt warm rather than hot.