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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 · 20/02/2019 22:00

@UselessTrees Shock

We'll contact our landlady tomorrow.

We had almost the same washing machine in our previous flat and never had this problem.

OP posts:
TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 20/02/2019 22:07

Too hot. All man made fibres melt. This is how some fabrics have permanent creases in them. Those creases are heat set in.

Fabric conditioner can help as it smooths the fibres identical to hair conditiiner

If the jumpers are wool, that is also badly affected by hot water and agitation

Original poster
Washingproblem · 20/02/2019 22:10

@UselessTrees Could your machine be repaired or did you have to throw it out and buy a new one?

OP posts:
UselessTrees · 20/02/2019 22:18

Ours was ancient anyway and had been left in the house by the previous owners so we just replaced it, but I'm pretty sure it was fatally wounded. Good luck with getting yours sorted!

Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 13:59

MN please help! I have an update and it's not good.

We asked our landlady if we could have someone round to look at the machine and repair it. She said it was quite a cheap machine, and she'd rather just buy us a new machine. So we had a new one delivered and installed this week. An expensive Hotpoint one. Her choice, not ours.

I've just done a wash with our brand new machine and it's STILL ruining my clothes! Shock Not even synthetics either - it's ruined my brand new skirt that's made of 100% cotton! It's covered in these dark, deep-creased in lines, and yes I have tried ironing, and no, it didn't help. I've attached a photo and you can see the big diagonal line.

What am I supposed to do now?!

Note: before anyone starts about wasting money, I'd just like to reiterate that we only asked our landlady for a repair to be done. It was her decision to buy a new machine. We didn't ask.

Please help - washing machine keeps ruining my clothes
OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 15:01

Please help!

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 15:06

I was so convinced our old machine had a broken thermostat and our 30 washes were actually hotter than 30. But this is a brand new machine and it's ruined a cotton skirt.

OP posts:
safariboot · 15/03/2019 15:09

Have you tried slowing down the spin speed? When we got a new Bosch machine we found the spin brutalises the clothes.

Also, on the temperature point: since it's happened to two machines, is it possible they've been plumbed into the hot water supply? (If the washer only has one fill it should be cold water.)

Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 15:21

No, because if that was the case then our boiler would come on during the wash, but that hasn't happened.

We've lived here for over three years, but the problem with the first machine only started a few months ago.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 15/03/2019 16:19

Are you over filling the drum and using the wrong detergent? Honestly this only happens to me when I overfill , use the wrong detergent or put it in the wrong cycle.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 16:22

I use Ecover Zero as I'm allergic to everything else. I've been using it for years but the problem only started recently so I don't think it's a detergent problem.

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/03/2019 16:28

If you’ve changed the machine, maybe it is the washing powder. The manufacturer could have changed the formula.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 16:32

We also sometimes use bicarbonate of soda but the problem still happens.

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/03/2019 16:40

Is bicarbonate a washing powder?

Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 16:44

It's powder. You can buy it from any supermarket. People have been using it for decades before scented washing powder was invented.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 15/03/2019 16:47

No it's a baking ingredient (normally). Can be used for cleaning applications too although haven't heard of using it for washing clothes

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/03/2019 16:47

I know what it is, I use it in baking. I wouldn’t wash clothes and expect them to be clean, I think it’s the bicarbonate that’s doing it. Possibly reacting with the ecover.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 15/03/2019 16:48

A little bit of googling suggests that maybe it isn't taking in enough water. You don't have anything else using the water when it's filling or have noticed a reduced water pressure? Does the manual give you the option to use a cycle that takes in more water?

Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 16:49

Bicarb is a standard cleaning product.

OP posts:
PurpleCrazyHorse · 15/03/2019 16:49

Or could you wash something using another detergent, just to rule out a detergent issue?

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/03/2019 17:05

We are trying to help you. If you eliminate the bicarbonate for a while, allow it really get out of your clothes, maybe see if the problem improves.

It maybe a cleaning product in your mind, but possibly the washing machine hasn’t been designed for it to be used in place of normal detergent.

Roomba · 15/03/2019 17:13

Bicard is very alkaline, obviously, so could be damaging the clothes. It could also stay in the fibres of the clothes a bit and be reacting with the ingredients in the ecover stuff when you wash them again in that. I'd clean my house with bicarb but wouldn't wash woollens in it as it would be very harsh due to the alkalinity.

Original poster
Washingproblem · 15/03/2019 17:25

The washing machine is brand new. We used it for the first time today, with Ecover, and it ruined my skirt. I have never used bicarb in the new machine because it's brand new and I've only used it once.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 15/03/2019 17:35

Maybe the Ecover has changed its formulation

dementedpixie · 15/03/2019 17:36

Do you wash the clothes inside out?

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