Adding water to washing machine

Alnat1

Surely it will use a massive amount of electricity to heat an extra 20 litres of water? I hope you're a 30C type or your bills will be huge.

ripplyuk

TELLIT01 said:

I would expect a washing machine to have some sort of valve to prevent it overfilling, so wouldn't adding 20 litres manually just reduce the amount that comes in via the pipe?

I wait until it’s finished filling with water, then add the extra. 

ripplyuk

Section62 said:

ripplyuk said:

It’s rarely a full load. It’s an 8kg max machine and I generally put 4kg in, but I can see the point about the extra weight when adding water. 

Are the results any better with the machine loaded closer to the maximums?

The load size makes no difference at all. I’ve tried full loads, small loads etc. 

comeandgo

ripplyuk said:

TELLIT01 said:

I would expect a washing machine to have some sort of valve to prevent it overfilling, so wouldn't adding 20 litres manually just reduce the amount that comes in via the pipe?

I wait until it’s finished filling with water, then add the extra. 

So how do you manage to do that?  Do you add hot water, do you fill it via the powder drawer?  

ripplyuk

@comeandgo Yes, the powder drawer. I’ll usually add warm water to save the machine having to heat it up from cold. 

koalakoala

Interesting, as I also find most new machines don’t take in enough water to rinse the clothes properly. I am having more luck however with my new Samsung

MalMonroe

I've never had any problems. I have to ask the question - just how dirty IS your washing??

I don't want my washer to use a lot of water and they aren't supposed to nowadays because 'technology' is supposed to ensure that clothes are clean with less water. 

What kind of detergent are you using? And also, how did you discover how much water was being used because I wouldn't know where to start looking. 

comeandgo

ripplyuk said:

@comeandgo Yes, the powder drawer. I’ll usually add warm water to save the machine having to heat it up from cold. 

I use soap nuts for my washing machine and I add them along with a litre of hot water to allow them to soften up and soap quicker but I just pour mine in the drum before I start the wash.  

ripplyuk

MalMonroe said:

I've never had any problems. I have to ask the question - just how dirty IS your washing??

I don't want my washer to use a lot of water and they aren't supposed to nowadays because 'technology' is supposed to ensure that clothes are clean with less water. 

What kind of detergent are you using? And also, how did you discover how much water was being used because I wouldn't know where to start looking. 

@MalMonroe The user guide lists the litres used but it’s obvious that these modern machines use very little as no water is visible when in use. The clothes get wet but not dripping wet. On the wool cycle (which barely moves) parts of the clothes don’t get wet at all. Most of my clothing wouldn’t be visibly dirty at all but I spend a lot of time outdoors so   there can be mud or grass stains. These are still there after washing unless I add more water to the cycle. 

I use different detergents for different things but I’ve tried almost all of them. Powder, liquid, bio, non-bio etc. Most of the time I use Persil bio powder for whites, Daz powder or Ariel liquid for colours, Halo for sportswear and Woolite obviously for woollens. 

sevenhills

ripplyuk said:

I wait until it’s finished filling with water, then add the extra. 

I usually do that too, it's become a habit now and I do it all the time. Between 5-10 lts, I haven't a clue if the washing is cleaner.
I have recently used shampoo instead of washing powder, when I ran out. It seemed no different, still got clean washing.