Washing . . . Again

I use M&S non-bio liquid at about half the suggested amount for everything except cashmere jumpers, when I use a product for wool. No conditioner. I think our clothes and linen smells fine. I used that Dettol sanitiser when we’d had a flood and I used towels to mop up floors etc. It left the towels with huge faded patches on them.

I was amused by the washing instructions on a new chiffon type top this week. It said ‘Unless dirty, wash at 30deg.’

I line dry when possible. I took a t-shirt that I haven’t worn for months out of a drawer the other day. It still smelt of outdoors and summer, I couldn’t stop sniffing it. ❤️

Jaxjacky

Liquid soap, no conditioner or other additions, I use soda crystals to clean the machine every couple of months, leave the door upen after washing for a few hours. I’ve never had a rumple drier, so the washing is outside or on an airer with a dehumidifier running in a spare bedroom.
There are two of us, washing is roughly once a week on an eco wash, extra wash for towels, the drum takes a 10lb load.

I’ve never had a rumple drier either, but it sounds fun!

I stopped using conditioner 20 years ago. I line dry when possible and do not have a tumble dryer. I use capsules mainly for convenience. I only wash at 30 or 40 degrees and my clothes are fine.

I just look for the cheapest powder/liquid in the supermarket I happen to be in. (Prefer powder in cardboard). No conditioner and I like a rough towel.

I have five plastic balls which go in the drum and are supposed to give a better wash with cheaper powder. Had them for years but I’m not sure they do anything…

I think an item of clothing would have to be very dirty and sweaty to retain any smell after a bog standard 40 degree wash.
My daughter and SiLs running gear is often whiffy but that comes out fine.
Perhaps if someone rolled in liquid fertiliser and then rubbed an extremely smelly cheese all over themselves it might cause problems, but otherwise a bog standard wash should do.

Laundry ‘pods’ are the most expensive of all the detergent options just so you’re aware, and powder is the cheapest.Pods contain the detergent and usually fabric softener plus other cleaning materials.I reckon soon there will only be these pods which will force us to pay, in some cases 50%more.
Depending on the material to be washed I wouldn’t go splashing white vinegar around, there’s no need in any case as detergent does the job.If using powder or washing liquid/ gel it’s a case of less is more.

I like clothes to smell good, but not overpowering. There is one conditioner in particular that is very strong and can be smelt over perfume etc on public transport. I don't know what it is, but I don't like it. I use Tallow and Ash on clothes (particularly hand knits) and Kirkland powder (Costco own brand) for towels and sheets, with a bit of Lenor.

I think the smell is a matter of taste (that sounds odd, but you know what I mean), but agree that the constant fearmongering about bacteria and the like is just Marketing. Clothes would have to be really manky to infect someone.

Synthetic sporty type long sleeved base layer top (not mine) was washed t’other day on 30 degree -30minute minute quick wash on a Beko.
The arm pits still reeked -truly! and so I re-washed with a “deodorising” liquid designed for quick wash cycles, not much improvement.
I absolutely hate this machine now (not mine -thankfully) with a passion as all the other “normal”programmes on it no matter if at only 20 degrees just go on and on for hours.
Only the hottest wash for sheets and towels eg smells like clean washing should. 😩
Daren’t criticise machine -to him as it is quite new!

I have skin allergies and I am very wary of using too many washing products, which all seem to be made fom harsh chemicals that require warning signs in red and doubt consume a lot of energy to produce the raw materials then manufacture., so I just turn the heat up and wash at 60 with a minimal portion of washing liquid.

It is money and emisssions on my electicity bill, but fewer from my housekeeping.

Babs03 I can assure you a big standard wash did not get rid of my son's sweaty smells. Well it did till it got warm from ironing or body heat. I've been married twice and have 3 sons and this was only an issue with one of them. Maybe you've just not come across it.

Granmarderby try the white vinegar. It solved the problem I had with son's sweaty smelly tops. Just pour some in the offending area and throw in the wash. It doesn't come out smelling of sweat or vinegar.

Oreo maybe no need for the vinegar for you. For my son's washing it was the only thing that got rid of the smell.

My daughter was quite pongy as a teen, so I appreciate the problem.
Strange, because my grandson's clothes never small or stain like his mum's did.

Another Lidl advocate here
I think so many of us have been brainwashed into being so scared of
Ourselves or are houses smelling unpleasant

I’ve been miffed that powder tablet detergents which were the best of both worlds ie compact, powder doesn’t go everywhere, but they could be halved or a broken up to avoid wastage, have been eradicated from the shelves- in UK at least.
So lumbered with those slimy slippery pod things. ☹️

All those ads for ‘Fresh!!!’ scent boosters do mystify me. Who actually uses detergent, plus conditioner, plus a scent booster, so their washing can smell ‘fresh’, aka artificially perfumed?

For some years now* I’ve just used powder and soda crystals, and my washing just smells clean.

*after reading how pods (used previously) and conditioner can gum up your machine with gunk. As advised, I did a very hot wash with just soda crystals, and was appalled at the dirty grey foam that appeared. I had to do it twice before it no longer appeared.

Witzend

All those ads for ‘Fresh!!!’ scent boosters do mystify me. Who actually uses detergent, plus conditioner, plus a scent booster, so their washing can smell ‘fresh’, aka artificially perfumed?

That’s what I wondered about.

I do use conditioner for some clothes, but even doing that means I have to remove the product drawer and clean it on a regular basis.
So what is in the conditioner that if left without cleaning the drawer regularly, turns it from a beautiful blue to black slime?

Shouldn't you investigate,since you use it?

I use Lidl liquid, a 30 or 40 degree quick wash. I use some for a bit of a pre wash rub of underarms of sons work shirts (sometimes over use of anti persp/body spray!) etc if needed, and occasional scoop of washing soda to help keep machine clean too. Hard water area but I never use softener, hate the smell. Washing goes out on the line (I don't have a tumble dryer) or onto an airer. If anything gets grease on I always rub it asap with washing up liquid and a drop of water.
Always leave the machine door and powder drawer open, wipe dry after use.
I cannot understand why people like such artificial smells on their clothes, some are so strong. Similar stomach churn as I get with smelly candles/air fresheners!

MissAdventure

Shouldn't you investigate,since you use it?

Writing to the company to ask why it happened, simply brought advice to clean the drawer regularly.

I'm saying nothing about slimey drawers.
It is horrible,though.

Most fabric conditioner contains rendered animal fat, which is why I prefer Tallow & Ash, as it is vegan.

I mainly use the 40 degree wash for our clothes but the 80 degree for towels, tea towels and bedding. My plumber told me that using the 80 wash once a week would ensure that my machine would be kept in the best condition and not require a special "cleaner". So it has proved. I personally don't think a 30 wash for bedding, tea towels etc is hot enough to deal with bacteria. I use minimal fabric conditioner as I dislike the artificial smells, always use the sensitive one (for babies) and non-bio pods (Lidl). Dry outside whenever possible, I gave my tumble dryer away.

Oreo

There are lots of clothes that can be worn multiple times without washing, in my view we wash too much as a nation.
I still use powder in the machine, cheaper and with no goo to clog things up, the machine always smells clean.
If you live in a hard water area like me then a shot of conditioner is necessary but ditch anything else.You don’t need much powder either.
Skirts/ jeans/ trousers/ jumpers/ cardigans just don’t require constant washing.

I agree, and clothes last longer without constant washing. If something looks clean and doesn't smell, it doesn't need washing.