Can anyone help with my washing please?

[ImFineThankYou]

No idea what I'm doing really.
Normally stick a load on, bung in powder, 30 wash and peg out.

Dp's clothes are absolutely hanging as he's a builder so all caked in muck and sweat usually.

Dc's clothes usually food stained.

Bedding is white (I know) and dp's side is gross.

-what temperatures should I be washing on?
-what detergent is best, bio or non bio and which for what?
-fabric softener? Yes or no?
-liquid or powder detergent?

I have bio and non bio powder, softener and a white brightening gel thingy.

Can I use bio for dc's clothing and bedding? (16mo no eczema)

Thank you.

[ImFineThankYou]

for any help

[ilovepowerhoop]

I use bio powder for everyones stuff (including the 2 children) and wash at 40°C for most stuff apart from bedding and towels that I will often do at 60°C. I use fabric softener too.

I would definitely use a hotter wash for your bedding with bio powder and maybe some whitening stuff too - I bung oxi action crystal white in my white washes to help brighten them up.

[ImFineThankYou]

Thank you!
For that info!

How have I managed to get to this age and not know how to wash properly? It should be part of the curriculum at school.

[ohforfoxsake]

I use Persil non-bio liquid, comfort pure fabric softener, half a scoop of Vanish hygiene. Typically on a 40 degree cycle. Sometimes the white load on 60, and sometimes I bung a 'Glo white' in. Coloured loads I use a colour and dirt sheet (Dr-something beginning with B). Not sure if it makes any difference.

I pre-soak the worst of the whites with a scoop of vanish in a bowl of water.

Use washing liquid rubbed into the worst of the stains before putting it in the machine.

Am trying to conjure up some motivation to get on with some now.

[ImFineThankYou]

Excellent, more for you.
It's quite early for wine isn't it? Hmm, have a and save the wine for tonight.
Or have the now and you won't give a hoot about your washing!

[Cindy34]

I am lazy and tend to use bio, 40 degrees for everything, except delicates which go at a lower temp.

[ohforfoxsake]

Service wash at the launderette. Surely that's the way forward?!!!

[WillYouDoTheFandango]

I do the same as above but I stick mechanic DP's greasy work clothes on a 60 degree soiled wash. I bought some cheap vanish-alike from B&M bargains and usually stick that in with the whites and bibs.

[FreshWest]

I use Persil bio liquitabs for everything, except for dh cycling kit where I use the quick wash and have a bottle of liquid for this. (This is cos I'm cheap and refuse to use an entire tab for a couple of items!)

General washing at 40, dh cycling kit at 30 and bedding and towels at 60.

I used to use Fairy for dd but stopped when she was a few months as it was too expensive to buy it just for her (and cluttered my cupboard ) and dd had no skin problems anyway.

[ouryve]

I wash at 40, unless stuff is stale rather than filthy. Rare in this house. And if it is that filthy, don't completely fill the drum. If your DH's clothes are caked, you might be better off washing them separately from everything else and giving them a pre-wash so the worst of the loose muck is rinsed away before washing.

And bio is usually fine - add in an extra rinse if you want to be sure. The boys and I have sensitive skin and we react worse to the perfumes in most non-bio than to any traces of bio detergent that may be left.

[Ezza1]

I've seen Napisan recommended on here quite a few times - Usually used for soaking cloth nappies so is a mild bleach/disinfectant. Bung that in the machine, especially with work clothes/whites?

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I was everything at 40 degrees with an ariel bio liqui-tab, except bedding, towels and baby's bibs/coveralls, which I wash at 60 degrees. If anything is stained, I put in a scoop in Vanish. I use fabric softener in every wash too. I find that everything comes out pretty clean. If there are tomato based stains on clothes, I spray them with Shout before putting them in the wash, include a scoop if Vanish, and try and dry them on the line.

[goodasitgets]

I stick any sweaty t shirts straight in a bucket of diluted napisan
When washing them, use bio and no softener (holds sweat smell in)

[Weelady77]

I always wash my husband and sons clothes separate on a 40c and I wash darks on a 30c and colours on a 40c and whites on either a 60 or 90c

[Vivacia]

I always thought bio products should be used on 40 and 30 degree washes. Wouldn't a 60 degree wash denature the enzymes.

Goes off to Google...

[OnTheNingNangNong]

With my husband's uniform, I always rinse the clothes in cold water first, it doesn't set the stains and smells in as a hotter wash would.

[monikar]

OP, use Persil bio powder in the big green box - wash at 40C and everything will be gleaming. Seriously, I bought some when it was of offer and everything is loads cleaner, I can't believe what a difference it has made.

[Donki]

Quite right about denaturing the enzymes Vivacia :)

[cupcake78]

Everything done with bio and softener (except towels).

Generally clothes at 40. Towels and bedding at 60, 90 every now and then. White bedding needs washing weekly IMO to keep it looking white.

Wash out your machine with proper cleaner every 8 weeks at least. Don't overfill.

[ImFineThankYou]

Hmm, think I've been overfilling machine.
Will try using on 40.

For you all, thanks for the help. There's loads there I can try.

[KFFOREVER]

Whites are washed at 60 with a scoop of vanish or bleach. The rest at 40. I use bold. DH's clothes smell of chip fat because he works in a cafe. Havent worked out how to get rid of the smell. So if any one has ideas i appreciate it.

[DTisMYdoctor]

KFFOREVER - instead of your normal dose of detergent try using half and half washing powder and bicarb and replacing fabric conditioner with white vinegar.

OP - I wash most things at 30 degrees and use half the amount of recommended powder. Towels and bedding get washed at 60 with powder, bicarb and vinegar (vinegar replaces fabric conditioner). Shirts, socks, boxers get done at 40 usually, again with bicarb and vinegar in addition to powder.

I never use fabric conditioner and don't really like the way it gives clothes a scent.

[DTisMYdoctor]

Oh, and I would always vote for powder. And do towels on a 90 degree was once a month or so to stop any build up of anything.

If there are soap suds in the drum when your wash is finished reduce the amount of powder next time.

[bonzo77]

Most stuff at 30 with Surcare. Spray obvious stains with Shout. Towels at 90 with bio powder and a whitener tablet. Bed linen at 40 with bio and a whitener tablet. Hang whites out doors whenever feasible. If whites are really bad i soak in cold water and a big splash of economy thin bleach first for a few hours. You should be able to see the clothes spin up then fall down when the machine is working. That means a maximum of 2/3 full and more like 1/2 if very dirty. If you notice something has come out dirty, spray with Shout then re wash immediately. If stuff has lots of cake on stuff (like baby food, baby poo, mud, soak first or do a quick wash first.

[bonzo77]

caked on (though I guess the same applies for cake)!