Detergent question ..

Sicard

another_casualty said:

Looks like I may have started a mini soap opera now 😼
I saw a few posts about people having trouble with their washing machines ( can't remember which now ) ,and posters were saying the liquids leave sticky deposits and could damage parts internally . 

It seems I'm wrong and misread , so blame it on the sunshine 🌝

I think you may have got confused. I stopped using powder yonks ago because it can cause clogging problems.

rach_k

I prefer powder too.  You tend to notice issues sooner than with liquid e.g. if you're using too much powder, you'll see it on your clothes.  With liquid, it could be months and then things will start to smell bad and you have to deep clean your machine and clothes.  I find it powder generally cleans better too and I prefer not to be transporting plastic bottles containing water around the country.

With softener, I think the trick is to know the right dose and stick to it.  I sort second hand clothes sometimes and the number of items we get that are sticky with softener and can be smelled from the other end of the house is ridiculous.  I think people go 'nose blind' after a while, so either acknowledge that and don't increase your dose, or swap scents every now and then so you can smell it properly.  I use a thick eco brand which tends to leave a sludgy mess in the machine drawer after a while, so I put in the right dose and then top up with water and that sorts it nicely.  

chrisw

Does anybody else use these laundry cleansers? I'm never sure whether to use them with or without conditioner.

Cornucopia

I use combined Liquid and Conditioner.   Probably less effective than separate conditioner, but you don't need to understand a separate dosage, and it's cheaper, too.

coffeehound

another_casualty said:

Looks like I may have started a mini soap opera now 😼
I saw a few posts about people having trouble with their washing machines ( can't remember which now ) ,and posters were saying the liquids leave sticky deposits and could damage parts internally . 

It seems I'm wrong and misread , so blame it on the sunshine 🌝

No you're right, there was a thing a while ago about liquid detergent supposedly causing sludge build-up and also being more likely to cause black mould.  I don't know if it was also to do with people using low-temperature washes, or quick washes or too much soap.

But it seems traditional non-bio powder is better at avoiding mould due to bleaching agents.  Plus, it's good to do regular higher-temperature cycles.  And since non-bio works at higher temperatures, combining it with 60º washes makes sense

another_casualty

Thanks @coffeehound😼
I thought I was going mad . You have restored my sanity.,

Korkyb

I also moved away from regular use of liquids when I read that only using these could cause a build up of gunk & mould.

I cant remember where I originally heard this but a quick google seems to suggest its due to liquids having no bleaching agents which normally deal with mould. (powder does have bleaching agents).

I think that the advice I originally read was if you use liquids then you can alternate between liquid & powder to prevent issues (or run a  regular cleaning programme with a cleaning agent).



Mould Lumps In A Washing Machine (ukwhitegoods.co.uk)

Mould/mildew on washing machine door seal, what causes this and how to avoid (yourspares.co.uk)

Causes of Black Mould on Washing Machines? | Whitegoodshelp



Edited highlight below :-)

 

Liquid Detergent And Washing Machines

Many people use liquid detergent, for some people that's all that they use. Completely oblivious to the fact that no liquid detergent can have any bleach in it at all.

The reason for this is that bleach is "heavy" and would sink to the bottom of the package so unless you shook it every time before use you would end up with a portion of concentrated bleach at the bottom of the pack. People won't shake it and clothes would get bleached, detergent manufacturers would get claims for damage and so, they just omit the bleach and then don't have the problem.

Instead there is "optical brighteners" in liquid detergents. 

There are no ingredients in a liquid detergent that provide any sanitisation whatsoever. None.

koalakoala

Washing powder is horrible stuff. It never dissolves properly imo.
Everyone should use a really hot wash now and again to keep the machine clean

Penguin_

I tend to wash everything on 40, apart from my work shirts, jeans & sports clothes which I do at 60. Bedding & towels go on a 90 wash.

badger09

Looks like I have inadvertently found the solution (excuse the pun)

I usually use liquid non bio/colour, and powder bio - both normally from Aldi. That seems to keep to mould to a very low level in my ageing Zanussi. Most loads are done @ 40 but if its just a 'freshen up' required, I've started doing some @ 30. I run an empty wash @ 95 a couple of times a year, if I remember   Minimum dose of  whichever Tesco fabric softener takes my fancy. No sludgy build up and the detergent drawer sparkles