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Original poster

Please help - washing machine keeps ruining my clothes

96 replies

Washingproblem · 11/02/2019 18:02

This has been going on for a few months now. We keep ending up with these lines, mainly on knitwear but also other stuff. It's happened to both new and old clothing, including good quality stuff that's been fine for years and then ruined practically overnight.

These photos were taken after ironing, so the problem cannot be solved by ironing. The lines are not creases.

We have already tried:

  • Doing an empty wash at 90 degrees
  • Cleaning the rubber seal
  • Using a special machine-cleaning liquid that we bought
  • Stopped doing eco-washes and switched to full-length
  • Been careful not to over-fill the machine

What's causing this problem? I've never had this problem ever before and then it suddenly started a few months ago.

So many of my clothes have been ruined! Please help!

Please help - washing machine keeps ruining my clothes
Please help - washing machine keeps ruining my clothes
OP posts:
ATowelAndAPotato · 11/02/2019 18:12

Is it spinning the clothes too hard? Can you adjust the spin cycle? My machine lets me turn down the spin speed on each cycle.

ATowelAndAPotato · 11/02/2019 18:13

Or is there anything caught in the drum that’s scratching the fabric? If you run an old pair of tights around you should be able to see if it catches on anything.

Ylvamoon · 11/02/2019 18:17

Spinning to hard and / or leaving the clothes in for some time after washing?
If try a "delicate" wash and take clothes out straight afterwards.

VincentVanGoughandhisear · 11/02/2019 18:19

How hot are you washing at?

Are they creases or marks?

Dermymc · 11/02/2019 18:19

Mine did this. I have no idea why or what caused it.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 11/02/2019 18:31

We wash all our clothes at 30 degrees, as we have been doing for years with no problems. As I've already said in my OP, they are not creases.

@Dermymc How long did this go on for? Has it stopped now?

OP posts:
Oddcat · 11/02/2019 18:39

Ive had this too with knitwear , and it's only ever with fine knit things. Maybe it's just that the fabric can't tolerate a machine wash.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 11/02/2019 18:43

Oddcat but this has happened to knitwear that I've had for years that suddenly got ruined overnight, as well as brand new knitwear.

OP posts:
PixieDust92 · 11/02/2019 18:45

Can you check the drum? There may be a sharp edge in it that's catching the clothes

Dermymc · 11/02/2019 18:46

I don't know why it stopped. It did after a while though occasionally we get a wash that does it again.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 11/02/2019 23:23

@Dermymc Are your clothes permanently damaged or did they go back to normal?

OP posts:
steppemum · 11/02/2019 23:30

these look like the lines you get on fabrics that are not 100% natural materials when they are washed too hot.

eg, a polycotton sheet, wahsed at 90, and the creases have actaully indented/ marked the fabric, because the fabirc has damaged at that temp. You can't get them out with ironing, because they are lines of damage, like the polyester has melted a bit

If that is the case, then it would be because you machine is washing too hot suddenly. Can you put a load on and keep checking the temp of the glass door, to see if it gets really hot?

BusterGonad · 11/02/2019 23:32

I used to get this with cheap knit wear, I always thought it happened with a too hot and harsh cycle as well as using the wrong type of detergent. I wash all fussy fabrics on a hand wash with a liquid silk and wool detergent.

steppemum · 11/02/2019 23:34

you can also get them on acrylic jumpers, just looking like washing creases, but they don't come out, and using fabric softener can make them disappear

Original poster
Washingproblem · 11/02/2019 23:41

Butt I've had some of the items for years and they've all been fine, so why would it start happening now if there's never been a problem before?

If that is the case, then it would be because you machine is washing too hot suddenly. Can you put a load on and keep checking the temp of the glass door, to see if it gets really hot?

I wash all my clothes at 30 degrees. Are you saying there may be a fault with the washing machine and that it's making the water hotter than I think it is?

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 11/02/2019 23:54

Stop washing at 30, maybe your old machine had the problem and never actually got to 30? Maybe new machine is slightly higher? Wash all acrylic and knot wear on a hand wash with appropriate detergent. Dry flat.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 11/02/2019 23:56

We've lived in our flat and had the same washing machine for over three years, but the problem only started a few months ago so it's nothing to do with changing machines.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 12/02/2019 00:01

Have you checked the drum itself? It sounds like the plastic ridges are wearing away. There's sharp shit underneath

BusterGonad · 12/02/2019 00:26

Sorry washing I misunderstood, I thought it was a new machine. New detergent then? Do you tumble dry?

toomanyofthemnow · 12/02/2019 00:40

Perhaps the thermostat has gone wrong and it is washing at a hotter temperature.

Is there just one 30deg programme or are there others? Have you tried using the wool or extra-delicate wash setting? Is there a 'hand wash' one? Try using one of those and see if the same thing keeps happening or not.

Jon65 · 12/02/2019 01:00

Check the temperature of the wash. I would suspect a thermostat problem.

steppemum · 12/02/2019 08:10

30 degrees is not hot, you don't need to hand wash etc, 30 degrees is fine.

BUT my suggestions was that the machine is overheating, and not washing at 30, which is why I suggested feeling the glass door during the wash cycle.

If it is overheating, then it is gettign quite hot, to do that damage, so you shoudl stop using it.

moofolk · 12/02/2019 08:50

Agree with @steppemum if it's too hot it's probably the thermostat on your machine.
You are setting it to 30 but it's going higher.

Check with your hand on the door on an empty wash.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 12/02/2019 10:37

I've already tried doing delicates washes but it made no difference. Sorry I forgot to put that in my OP.

I don't use a tumble dryer, nor have I ever been the sort of person who irons frequently. We usually just hang our clothes up to dry.

So maybe it's washing too hot. The trouble is that I don't know how we'd sort that out. Would we need to call someone to have a look? I can't see our landlady being too happy with that - she tends to get stressed quite easily and we try not to approach her unless it's absolutely necessary.

OP posts:
steppemum · 12/02/2019 10:57

well, feel it when it is on the wash cycle and see if it really is hot. If it is, then you need to tell your landlord that it is overheating and therefore dangerous. It could start a fire.

She needs to call an engineer