Washing machine and soda crystals - astonishing!

Doesn't putting powder into the drum mean it's washed away with the first rinse?

I use pressed powder tablets, in the drawer with a little soda crystals and have no trouble.
I too read many years ago of the gunk that gathers in a machine when constantly using liquid. this was written by a repair man.
I always add laundry disinfectant in the softener section as I usually wash at 30 or 20 degrees centigrade.
about every 6-8 weeks I use a special washing machine cleaner. my machine has a special programme for this. if not it recommends 60 degree wash.
I think for delicate items I would use a special liquid for that purpose. occasional use will not cause gunk build-up.

Like Flexible Friend I don't get on with powder. I had a whole thread on it a while back. I had to throw out 6 tops, some brand new, which were ruined by the use of the powder.

And before anyone comes along again with advice:

No, I didn't overdose, in fact we have softened water, so I used the minimum dosage
And I even tried dissolving it in a jug of water before putting it in the machine.

I use bio powder but far less than recommended with some soda crystals. I think advice to wash everything at 30 degrees these days means that the washer is never really sterilised, or powder dissolved.
I also use distilled vinegar occasionally, especially with towels, which are washed at 60degrees.
My washer is still going strong after 13 years and never needed attention.
I also use soda crystals occasionally down sinks and in shower to keep them clear.

Because the machine was becoming smelly ( in spite of keeping the det drawer clean, )I went back to powder.
Results.....a pleasant scent from the machine and cleaner clothes (stains gone).
The gunk from liquids and gels can’t be great for the machine.
I use Sainsbury own powder ( bio) and am very happy I made the switch.
Soda crystals are a good old fashioned thing to use, yes, a hot wash to clear in the machine or with very hot water down the sink/drain.

Great tip, thank you, will add soda crystals to my shopping list and give it a go

A friend of ours was a washing machine repair man, he has always advised using soda crystals in the hottest possible wash with an empty drum monthly.

I've got a fairly new washing machine, thank you for the tip, I'll try it before the gunge builds up.

Thanks for the post, I've used washing soda to clean the machine occasionally but I'll give it a go for regular washing. Any tips for the dishwasher ?

Yes, I give the machine an enema with pure washing soda from time to time. My machine does not do 90 and I find 60 degrees is sufficient to freshen it up. I do a follow up machine. clean using thick bleach in the water, just to be on the safe side.

I use powder, but straight into the drum - if I put it in the dispenser it just sits there. I use less than I used to and no longer use softener as it didn't seem to make any difference anyway.

Shall try giving the machine a clean out with soda crystals - maybe that will help to make sure that towels don't come out like cardboard!

I don't and won't use powder as it never dissolves properly. I use liquid put straight into the drum. I have a new machine less than a week old so it doesn't need cleaning. The instructions said before doing any washing to put it on a 90 degree wash with a small amount of liquid. Fab I was left with suds coming out of everywhere imaginable. I won't be following that advice again that's for sure. My washing is never hard and I don't use softener so see no reason to change.

Hooty, I put in just a small cupful, a bit less than a normal mug.

Bingo12, the 90 deg wash - with crystals only - was advised for cleaning the machine of the build up of detergent residue/gunge from pods or fabric softener.

That wash is finished. I’ve now put a ditto on, with just a couple of white towels, which are supposed to come out whiter and softer. I hope so, since the only way I’ve usually been able to make them non-crunchy for guests, is to tumble dry them. Which obviously I’d prefer not to do.

Dh’s socks always come out ‘crunchy’ - I’ve noticed that some new ones he had for Christmas were still soft after first wash, so presumably it’s at least partly the build-up.

In future shall do normal washes of socks etc. with just a small amount of powder (in the drum) and crystals in the drawer. Will be interesting to see whether it de-crunches the socks!

I never wash at 90 degrees.

I've gone back to powder but even when dissolved in warm water it clogs up the drawer. At least it's not black gunge that I used to get with the liquid. I might try putting the powder in the drum.
Do the soda crystals go in the drum or the drawer and do they work with a 30 degree wash? I use them with boiling water to clean the kitchen sink and drain.

Calgon is only an expensive form of crystals. Very clever form of marketing ?

I use only soda crystals. What varies is the heat of the water depending on what is being washed. Soda crystals plus the right temperature of water cleans everything. Keeps your drains clean too.

I started putting the powder in the drum rather than the drawer and really notice that the gunge has gone from the drawer . I use vinegar instead of softner , no smell and the wash is soft

I use an eco liquid but I do also use anti lime tablets (not Calgon though, too expensive!)

My white sheets go through a boil wash which I think helps to keep the machine fresher. Almost everything else is done at 30°.

Witzend, like you I have gone back to powder in a cardboard box to cut down on plastic use . I always put the powder into the drum, never the drawer.
I have only once bought pods and gave those up when I kept finding the slimey remains of the pod stuck to the clean laundry.

How much soda crystals do you put in?

I never liked the way the powder used to gunge up the drawer in my machine so I will stick with liquid or pods but the soda crystals are a good idea. I also use Calgon - when I remember!

Thanks for the soda crystals tip, which I'll try. Our household uses the Eco washing liquid - we take the bottle to the supermarket refill it. (We also have a "back-up bottle so don't run out.) I'm trying really hard to cut down on plastic.