What is happening to my washing?

Again a bit off topic but about a year ago there was a report (Which I think) about washing powder/liquid/tablets and they concluded that powder was the most effective and cheapest so that is why I have been using it.

I didn't know about machine cleaners either, will look for them. I have a friend who has her machine serviced every year but I never do.

Nfk take the drawer out and stand in some diluted washing machine cleaner it will come up nice and clean then run the rest through your machine.

Ooh, glamma - I never even knew there was such a thing as a machine cleaner !

I should add we have reasonably soft water, so I rarely use softener. I'm generally fairly clean!

Oh yes - conditioner (when I think to use it) has to go in the drawer. This is usually a shaming experience since I rarely use the drawer it tends to get rather black!

I had a similar problem a year or two ago and changed my powder to liquid and put it into the machine in a measuring cap and put the softener in the drawer as usual,since I have been doing this I have no further problems,I never wash any hotter than 40dgs as our clothes are never dirty and bedding is changed twice weekly.If I value something special I do tend to hand wash and then do quick spin in machine.I do run a machine cleaner through the cycle every month or so and have found this keeps the drawers and drum spotless.

I would agree - my washing machine has a drawer for powder etc. but I use the squidgy things and put them directly into the drum under the clothes, as per the instructions on the box. If I use Vanish powder I throw that in the drum as well. I do put the conditioner in its drawer, though!

I had the same problem with tablets, especially when those nets you put in the drum were on vogue, because the tablets didn't disolve properly. So I stopped using tablets and powder which sometimes didn't disolve in the drawer (Persil gave me £50 for a pair of ruined trousers) Then the same thing happens with the squidgy tablets on quick washes leaving gunky globs. So now I just use the liquid you put straight into the drum in it's little pot (even when the instructions say use the drawer) No problems.

Request for help on a similar thing! I bought some Vanish stuff that you add to the drawer along with your usual stuff. My usual stuff is a liquid that also goes in the drawer, i.e. not directly into the drum.

I did as instructed,(i.e. both vanish powder and usual liquid put in the drawer) and ended up with a gloopy residue in said drawer!

Should I perhaps try putting one or the other directly into the drum, and if so, which?

Washing powder for whites has bleach and optical brighteners not a good mix for coloureds. I do not wash at 30 degrees anymore after finding delicate tops with stains caused by washing liquid, detergents do not fully dissolve at 30 degrees.

Thanks all. I think Jess might have got it right and I will try that first. I have a scoop which came out of a pack of vanish and I put in 2 scoops with every wash. I will also buy one of those packs just for coloured clothes as I have never tried them and thought they were just a marketing thing. I just wonder why it happens now when it never used to? You'd think by now that an old dear like me would have known how to do her washing!

I live in a hard water area and would certainly not stop using water softener. As has been said previously I think some undissolved powder has got onto the garmet and bleached it - if you read the instructions on the packet it does say not to let undissolved powder get onto clothes.

I think the suggestions to ditch the water softener is one to try.

Movedalot I have had a problem with various deodorants and anti-perspirants causing bleaching of coloured tops. It happens especially if you dress before the deodorant is dry. It is not just under the arms as any part of the top can get caught as you are putting it on.
This might not be your problem but I ruined a few new tops before I realised what it was!

vanish powder does bleach. It is strong stuff. Great for pans with stuck on food! I'd only use it on stained whitish laundry.

I use a general powder and add a vanish type powder when necessary. I've never used water softener tablets but my washers seem to last as long as anyone else's. We live in an area with really hard water. I think most people use too much powder and conditioner. I always dilute conditioner 50/50 and use very little soap powdyer as * jess* said.

Have you used Vanish powder cos I did and it took some colour out of one of my favourite polo shirts.

YOu're not being a bit heavy handed with the powder are you? A washing machine engineer once told me I was the only woman he had ever met who put the right amount in - i.e. less than a tablespoonful. Not half a cupful.

Thanks Moomin but they seem to lose the colour all the way through.

Have you tried turning dark garments inside out, which is recommended for denim jeans to avoid permanent lightened creases? I've not had the problem with dark clothing, but then again I wash them inside out as a matter of course.

Not half, kitty never in a million years.

I would try without water softening tablets.

Think Jess might be right because somethings say not to wash using a powder containing bleach. Or, they could be trying to make us buy lots of different powders - but they wouldn't do that would they?

I fear this is why they have special powder for "coloureds" - they put whitener in the whiter than white powder and not in the "coloured powder". This is a theory - can anyone confirm?

Thanks Jane but I don't use bleach in the utility room very often so I'm sure it is not that.

All further suggestions welcomed.

movedalot That happened to one of Mr A's shirts a few months ago - I was mystified and came to the conclusion I must have somehow dropped a bit of bleach on the work-top above the washing machine and then put the shirt down on top of it, as I do occasionally use bleach there to get stains off white things.
I only use liquid detergents, a special one for coloured things, and never water softeners or fabric conditioners.