Cold Washing your Laundry

basmic

I'm considering trying shop's own branded soap powder, but I'm not sure about efficient dosing?

I've seen people say that 1 tablespoon of soap powder and another of soda crystals is sufficient. Is it?

nesssie1702

Basmic - it probably depends how hard or soft the water in your area is?

We're in a soft water area and I probably don't use more than a tablespoon of powder for a wash and it seems to do the trick.

Decola

I'm in a hard water area, and use a heaped tablespoon of powder, and the same of soda - the latter softens the water, reducing the quantity of powder needed.

Ken68

I do the weekly wash at 30 degrees and after line drying put them in a seperate compartment (large bottom drawer) of the freezer overnight.
This new Beko washing machine has cold setttings for each programme, so chance to save a shilling, and thank you for the vinegar softening trick.

jinny

I have posted on the Victorian Farm thread about steeping my laundry in the bath overnight then just putting it through a cold rinse in the machine. It works great on most things, but whites were dissapointing so had to give those a hot wash. For stained clothes, I use household green soap an a soft brush. I will try the soda/borax next or be brave and not use anything. Afer all lots of people round the world just pound their washing on a rock near a river and their washing is immaculate.

HelzBelz

nesssie1702 wrote: »

I tend to do my washing on a 40 ºC cycle most of the time, though some things are washed at 30 ºC

However, I wash bedding, towels and my whites at 60 ºC, normally overnight so I benefit from Economy 7 pricing. My husband's shirts don't smell "clean" in the armpit area if I wash them at anything less than 60 º - can still smell sweat....

So glad you said that, I was reading this thinking I was the only person with a husband that smells:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

belfastgirl23

basmic wrote: »

I'm considering trying shop's own branded soap powder, but I'm not sure about efficient dosing?

I've seen people say that 1 tablespoon of soap powder and another of soda crystals is sufficient. Is it?

That's what I use (I use bicarb of soda though) and a little vinegar in the rinse water and it works fine, even on smelly gym stuff! We have soft water though

basmic

nesssie1702 wrote: »

Basmic - it probably depends how hard or soft the water in your area is?

We're in a soft water area and I probably don't use more than a tablespoon of powder for a wash and it seems to do the trick.

Although I'm in a soft water area too, I'm not sure I'd trust that dosage to clean my bedding. :eek:

Bearing in mind I have a 8kg capacity washing machine, I think I'd have to double that dosage.

A_fiend_for_life

I wash clothes on cold or 30 and skip the spin cycle in summer or on favourable winter days for line drying. I skip the spin cycle to reduce wear on the drum.

basmic

I owned a Hotpoint washing machine, which regulary did 1,400rpm spins - summer or not. Five years on, having passed it to my mum, it is still ploughing away with no major repairs - only the door seal.