Riddle me this - washing machine programs.

WIAWSNB

Thanks, everyone.

That explains why 'eco' is eco - it uses less water. Cool. 

That might also explain why the clothes come out smelling more strongly of conditioner (yes, it's an auto-dispenser), tho does it? Surely condie is added after all the rinsing and before the last spin - ie the condie stays in the fabric? So, since both spins are 1400, the same amount should be removed/left behind?

All I know is, when I used the standard 'Mixed load' - around an hourandahalf - the clothes came out like cardboard and not smelling of much, but it still used a sizeable amount of conditioner. 

Sil had her WM's door seal replaced recently, and the guy regaled her with his opinion on the best wash cycles to use - eco. So I tried it. I don't care that it takes hours, and since the clothes smell better I'm happy to stick with it. 

A few pence saving here and there is of no consequence, tbh.  

Section62

WIAWSNB said:

That might also explain why the clothes come out smelling more strongly of conditioner (yes, it's an aunt-dispenser), tho does it? Surely condie is added after all the rinsing and before the last spin - ie the condie stays in the fabric? So, since both spins are 1400, the same amount should be removed/left behind?

Usually it goes in with the last lot of rinsing water - although on cheaper machines it might be earlier in the cycle.

What you've observed might be that the same quantity of conditioner in a larger volume of water means a less concentrated mix, and therefore less conditioner in total left in the remaining dampness of the clothes after the final spin.

WIAWSNB said:

A few pence saving here and there is of no consequence, tbh.

If the machine is guzzling conditioner by the gallon then saving a few pence on water and electric won't be as significant in the per-wash costs.  Maybe get the machine checked over by a qualified technician to get to the bottom of why it uses so much?

Marmaduke123

I prefer my washing to smell of nothing rather than conditioner! What's conditioner meant to do anyway?

Albermarle

Marmaduke123 said:

I prefer my washing to smell of nothing rather than conditioner! What's conditioner meant to do anyway?

When a family member was staying with us, they always added Lenor to their washing.
If the clothes were dried inside, you could smell it everywhere.
It is a bit of a Marmite thing, some like the smell and some do not. ( I do not) 
I think it is also supposed to make your clothes, towels etc feel softer.

WIAWSNB

Usually it goes in with the last lot of rinsing water - although on cheaper machines it might be earlier in the cycle.

What you've observed might be that the same quantity of conditioner in a larger volume of water means a less concentrated mix, and therefore less conditioner in total left in the remaining dampness of the clothes after the final spin.

WIAWSNB said:

A few pence saving here and there is of no consequence, tbh.

If the machine is guzzling conditioner by the gallon then saving a few pence on water and electric won't be as significant in the per-wash costs.  Maybe get the machine checked over by a qualified technician to get to the bottom of why it uses so much?

Ah, that makes sense; less water = more concentration.

When I said I wasn't exaggerating about condie consumption, I was exaggerating. It just seemed high when there was so little tangible result. I can adjust it, but it's hardly strong at the mo', so likely won't.

All fine - clothes get washed. I was just curious as to how 'eco' worked. I am now much better informed. 

Thanks all. 

QrizB

Marmaduke123 said:

I prefer my washing to smell of nothing rather than conditioner! What's conditioner meant to do anyway?

As well as the scent, fabric conditioner leaves a residue on the fabric fibres that sticks all the loose bits together (at the microscopic scale). This means they feel smoother and silkier.

Hair conditioner works in a similar fashion.

One side-effect is that towels are noticeably less absorbent, as all the gaps in the fibres that would normally absorb water have been stuck shut by the conditioner.

Albermarle

QrizB said:

Marmaduke123 said:

I prefer my washing to smell of nothing rather than conditioner! What's conditioner meant to do anyway?

As well as the scent, fabric conditioner leaves a residue on the fabric fibres that sticks all the loose bits together (at the microscopic scale). This means they feel smoother and silkier.

Hair conditioner works in a similar fashion.

One side-effect is that towels are noticeably less absorbent, as all the gaps in the fibres that would normally absorb water have been stuck shut by the conditioner.

Presumably that is why it is recommended to wash new towels before use, and why after that first wash they do not feel as soft as in the shop ?

Swipe

QrizB said:

Marmaduke123 said:

I prefer my washing to smell of nothing rather than conditioner! What's conditioner meant to do anyway?

As well as the scent, fabric conditioner leaves a residue on the fabric fibres that sticks all the loose bits together (at the microscopic scale). This means they feel smoother and silkier.

Hair conditioner works in a similar fashion.

One side-effect is that towels are noticeably less absorbent, as all the gaps in the fibres that would normally absorb water have been stuck shut by the conditioner.

Yes, you'll notice a warning on flannel labels about using fabric conditioner and how it can reduce absorbency.

QrizB

Albermarle said:

QrizB said:

Marmaduke123 said:

I prefer my washing to smell of nothing rather than conditioner! What's conditioner meant to do anyway?

As well as the scent, fabric conditioner leaves a residue on the fabric fibres that sticks all the loose bits together (at the microscopic scale). This means they feel smoother and silkier.

Hair conditioner works in a similar fashion.

One side-effect is that towels are noticeably less absorbent, as all the gaps in the fibres that would normally absorb water have been stuck shut by the conditioner.

Presumably that is why it is recommended to wash new towels before use, and why after that first wash they do not feel as soft as in the shop ?

I've alway assumed so, yes.

From memory, new towels don't seem to reach optimum absorbency until they've been washed a couple of times. We don't get new towels very often!

diveunderthebonnet

My wife always dilutes her conditioner by about 50% ,it says on the container " concentrated " but my wife thinks that her diluted solution does a great job without the lingering smell.