Calling all mumsnet washing geniuses!

[drawohamme]

Currently weaning a 9mo who is on the verge of crawling. The laundry pile doesn't know what's hit it. After years and years of washing things at 30deg (that were admittedly never that dirty) I need my washing machine to actually work and naively I'd like to do it without totally trashing my power bill and the environment. I have a Miele washing machine and I've been using Ecover powder; any tips?

[wightjellybaby]

Can it do a quick wash?
My indesit dose it takes 1hr rather than 2hrs on a normal wash we have a key meter for electic and costs about 50p/wash during the day and clothes are as clean as a full wash but I soak bad stains ie pasta sauce first I dont know if it makes a difference but I use fairy concentrate usually

Or is it quicker for the machine to just do a rince cycle then you change it to a spin cycle its harder for you as you have to put it on twice though

[drawohamme]

It does a quick wash - 40 mins. But I just find most of it has to go back in again. Thinking I might have to go down the pre soak route. What do you use and how long do you do it for?

[Trillions]

Quick wash with proper biological washing powder would be the best option, at least from the electricity perspective!

[mousmous]

bio powder. line dry in the sun.
longer cycles usually wash better and often use less water and energy (check the manual).
also rubbing in washing up liquid into the stain before washing helps.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Make the most of sunshine to bleach stains out. Even if it's not blazing sunshine, you'll find most stains will fade on the line.

[Abra1d]

Yup agree with bio powder and line dry. QUick washes often seem to use more electricity, or with my machine, they do.

[wightjellybaby]

I just use some washing concentrate and warm/hot water and leave it in bathroom sink for a bit squidge it about a bit leave it a bit rub any really bad bits squeeze it out enough to not make a mess taking it to washing machine and wash

Its best not to let things thatll stain to dry in in the first place like tomato or banana (this goes weirdly black and takes ages to get out)

[Bonsoir]

Ariel and 60C, with Vanish and Dr Beckmann as required.

[Missingsleepandthecat]

I always do my washing an a fastwash 60 minute cycle at 40*c, with a scoop of persil non bio and a small spot of either comfort or shops own brand (or lenor when I can drag myself to use it as DM gave me a bottle of the gold one which she cannot stand lol)

[ThatBloodyWoman]

I wash low and on ecover, and just accept a few stains tbh.

If I see a particular item that I really want clean, I make up a hot wash load with other stuff that could do with it, to make running the cycle worthwhile.

I use a bit of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer -I think maybe that helps a bit.

[Bonsoir]

I had a small relative to stay recently. Her clothes arrived all a bit dingy and stained (though freshly laundered). One turn in my machine at 60C with Ariel and Vanish and they looked like new.

[whereisthewitch]

Nappysan for the stubborn stains on the whites Then wash at 60 with biological powder ( I also rub in fairy liquid on stained coloureds.

I read a thing recently that said that 30 washes are actually bad for your health, they don't get rid of germs and your machine is a breeding ground. Also that you should never wash your undies with towels as towels just soak up the nasties.

Don't know how true all this is but I have noticed that DHs socks and shirt armpits never smell fresh unless washed at 60 or over.

[Bonsoir]

I spray Dr Beckmann stain remover on shirt underarms, collars, cuffs etc regularly and wash at 60C. It prolongs the life of shirts to remove deep-seated grease and bacteria.

[FreeButtonBee]

Another angle but these have saved my DTs clothes from destruction. They get a quick 30 min wash every evening and dry in no time (about an hour).

www.amazon.co.uk/Bibetta-Long-Sleeved-Ultra-Bubbles/dp/B008HFHWTC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_by_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=07ZXM93QMG74C47MWHSW&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[whereisthewitch]

It's funny because I can wash DDs stuff at 40 and they always smell fresh whereas if I wash mine and DHs stuff at 40 it always smells a bit stale, no matter how much powder/softener used.
sweaty stinky adults are to blame I think....and we're pretty hygienic in our house!

[PigletJohn]

Ecover is not an especially good powder. Ariel and Persil Bio come out top in the Which tests. Aldi Almat is nearly as good at half the price. All the liquids are worse than the worst powders.

[AmpersandRea]

I use Biotex to soak and then wash as normal (40°).
I use a quick wash if the clothes aren't stained.

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I have a Miele washing machine and two DC (6yo and 1yo) so mine seen everything that you are throwing at it and more!

I never wash at 30 degrees. I don't find that stained clothes get clean enough. I use Ariel bio (it was recommended to me to use liquid for colours and powder for whites) and if the clothes are stained, I will put in a scoop of napisan or Vanish powder. If the clothes/bins are very stained, I soak them before for a few hourswith one of these stain remover powders (and then I don't add the stain remover to the wash) and then wash. It helps that my washer and dryer are in the utility room, and there is a sink in there.

All clothesare washed at 40 degrees. Towels and bibs are washed at 60 degrees.

I think napisan is as good a stain remover as Vanish powder, and its much cheaper. I don't know whether or not it is bleaching though. You can get it in supermarkets when you look out for it.

[MightilyOats]

I've been making my own washing powder - borax substitute, washing soda, bicarbonate of soda and laundry soap. Seems to be working so far!

[TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals]

I'm just impressed that you've got through to 9 months without bio powder or is it just my child that did lots of explosive poop?!

But yes, pre soak in a bucket and then normal 40 wash.

[drawohamme]

DS is on nutramigen. Surprising side effect is no exploding poos

[drawohamme]

And thanks everyone, I'm now armed with a bucket and a tub of vanish