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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:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 12/02/2019 11:10

Right then. I've just spent a good few minutes looking and feeling round and round the drum. I can't find any lose objects or sharp surfaces anywhere. I don't feel there's been any physical damage inside the machine.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 12/02/2019 11:33

I've just started a wash. Will report back.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 12/02/2019 11:52

The machine really doesn't feel hot.

OP posts:
Millipedewithherfeetup · 12/02/2019 19:55

Just had a thought...are you using powder or liquid washing gel ? Are you using too much powder? Meaning the clothes are not getting rinsed properly ?

AnnettePrice · 12/02/2019 20:15

OP, is it always woollen items?
Are they less stretchy after they get the lines?

AbsolCatly · 12/02/2019 21:11

I was getting weird marks - turned out it was the gel capsules I was using - switched to powder and all ok now

Poppystorey · 12/02/2019 22:44

My wash does a 14 min for delicates come out like they've been dry cleaned poppy storey

Original poster
Washingproblem · 12/02/2019 23:43

I use Ecover Zero liquid most of the time, and occasionally bicarbonate of soda (powder) when I can't get Ecover Zero. I'm allergic to everything else.

I've already tried doing delicates washes but it doesn't make any difference.

It's mainly knitwear but it doesn't shrink or become less stretchy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 12/02/2019 23:45

I did try a few bicarb washes for a while but it still didn't help.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 13/02/2019 00:12

I tried phoning Indesit earlier today and they were so unhelpful. They said all they could do would be to book an engineer, which we'd have to pay for unless we want to all our landlady (which is a whole other source of stress). They said they longer give washing or technical advice over the phone because if they were to give advice that turned out to be wrong then it could cause damage to a machine.

They said the only other thing I can do is read an instruction manual online but in order to do that I'd need to know the model number of the machine, and I can't find a model number anywhere. Hmm So I have no idea how I'm supposed to find out.

I just know that if we got an engineer round, they'd tell us some really basic thing that we needed to do and then our landlady would be annoyed having to pay a callout charge. The woman on the phone asked if the machine was still under warranty. I don't know, I didn't buy it. That's what happens when you rent your home. I can't believe how unhelpful they were.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 13/02/2019 11:59

Okay, I finally found a manual but it was of no help at all. The troubleshooting page only had things like "What of the machine won't switch on?" and nothing about stripes appearing on clothes.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 13/02/2019 12:28

Not helpful but I don't buy that style of knitwear anymore because sooner or later it will go all veiny!

cluxy · 13/02/2019 12:31

I've been getting this recently, I've noticed it was my steam iron making the lines - very annoying, and like you say, they don't come out, even after washing. Been trying not to steam any woollen clothes, doesn't seem to happen on sweatshirts, trousers, dresses etc.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 13/02/2019 12:47

I don't usually iron things at all! I just tried ironing the already-damaged clothes to see if it would sort the problem out, but it didn't.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 13/02/2019 12:48

I just don't understand why this siddenly started happening a few months ago when it's never happened before ever.

OP posts:
DandilionBreak · 13/02/2019 12:53

Is the washing sitting for a while in the machine, after the cycle has finished? If so, it might be that creases are "setting" as the fabric cools down. If you're emptying it immediately it finishes, then I'd be getting the thermostat checked, as it certainly seems to be related to temperature.

DandilionBreak · 13/02/2019 12:56

Some info here that might be of use.

www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/laundy-comes-out-of-washing-machine-badly-creased/

Babygrey7 · 13/02/2019 12:58

Do you wash your knitwear and tees seperately, or do you wash them with jeans/denim?

The hardwear (metal bits) on jeans or trousers can really ruin knitwear

Original poster
Washingproblem · 13/02/2019 13:14

I always take everything out as soon as the wash has finished. I don't have any jeans.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 13/02/2019 17:25

Any further help appreciated.

OP posts:
StarJumpsandaHalf · 13/02/2019 19:06

It sounds a total mystery. Next thing I'd try is doing a small wash load of fine knits, putting the items into pillowcases. Try and make sure the pillowcases are fastened with safety pins and don't overload them either.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 20/02/2019 21:16

MN please help! I've just washed a brand new top and it's already ruined! I hadn't even worn it yet.

OP posts:
UselessTrees · 20/02/2019 21:43

Does sound like it might be getting too hot. Ours started ruining things, getting worse over time and I kept thinking "hmm, better do something about that", until I went into the kitchen to find it full of steam. The machine had got so hot that the detergent drawer melted! We were really lucky it didn't burn the house down.

borntobequiet · 20/02/2019 21:52

Sorry, can’t help but do feel for you. I had an Indesit washer dryer for many years and it was great so when it finally packed up I got the newer version. God I wish I hadn’t. Horrendously noisy, drying timer wouldn’t work, stupid programmes (I wash everything as Jeans now!) and when I did get an engineer round he told me the new models were rubbish but I’d never get a refund. Then they tried to charge me for his visit even though it was under guarantee. They are entirely unhelpful. I will avoid like the plague in future.

borntobequiet · 20/02/2019 21:53

And yes, sounds like it’s running too hot.