I can’t do laundry.

[WhyIRayLiotta]

I’m 38, soon to be a mother of 3 and I am rubbish at washing our clothes.
I don’t know what I do wrong. For the last few years I blamed my washing machine for the fact that stains didn’t come out, sometimes clothes got holes in after washing, whites are only white while brand new, and sometimes baby clothes have black marks (mould?!) that I can’t get rid of.

I now have a new washing machine. But my laundrying is no better. I read the machine instructions front to back. But I’m still not sure what the sections in the powder drawer are for?!

How do I get lovely soft towels? Clean clothes that look new AFTER they’ve been worn once then washed, also, that lovely clean smell on clothes and sheets that everyone else seems to be able to get.

Any help appreciated.

I only use bio washing powder, and not too much of it. Apparently there is no point in washing at a high temperature with bio powder, because the heat kills the biological enzymes which are supposed to kill bacteria.

I'm interested in the idea of putting lavender oil in the conditioner drawer - just the oil on its own? Does it actually get taken into the machine if it's only a few drops sitting in the drawer?

OP - you definitely need to know which section is which in the drawer!

I also think the key maybe in the drying

Once I got a condenser dryer it was clear how much water there is in wet clothes.

One load can produce a significant amount. Drying inside means that water is now in your house.

Ventilate well and use the line whenever you can.

The tip about washing at night then hanging first thing is a good one. You get a good head start.

I stopped using powder and started using Fairy laundry gel which is fantastic! It smells amazing and no need for softener. I tend to wash at 30 but I use a washing machine cleaner once a month and run an empty 95 degree load. Only wash whites with whites.

Soft towels= tumble dryer. It’s the only way.

This is what I do and it works well.

Washing is split into lights, darks, whites, shirts, bedding and towels.

I use method laundry liquid and half the dose advised on the bottle. My drawer is broken so it goes in the drum, clothes I wash at 40, towels and bedding 90.

I use a clothes horse thing indoors, with a window open apart from towels most things are dry the following morning if I hang them out before bed.

Nothing smells bad, no mould, no holes and no greyish looking whites.

The only way to get fluffy towels is to tumble them .

I find that the black spots on baby clothes is from banana that's been left on too long before washing.
also for my whites I soak them in vanish gold whiter whites over night then wash them on a 60 and they come pretty white and any stains gone

Turn all your coloured items inside out to prevent fading.

Treat stains before you wash.

I used to be terrible at washing. Now once my girls are in bed I get a load ready and put in the machine on a timer so it starts at 6 and is done around 730 so I can hang up before school and work.

Dehumidifier under washing airer is the best, I've got a fold up rotary style one that fits 2-3 loads on it and can dry within a day. You'd be amazed at the amount of water it sucks out!

I use shout on stains, it gets out most things.

Logoed tops or one with a picture on front I wash inside out.

Everything is done on a 40 wash except pants/towels on a 60.

Bedding is done on a rotation on a Sunday. Ours, dd1, dd2. Unless summer then done more frequently.

If you have a launderette nearby they are great for a catch up. Just befire Christmas I went and washed everything and dried it all. (Didn't want airers up with tree etc!) I managed the equivelent of 6-7 standard loads in 2 machines. Took a book and had a lovely chill out for an hour while it washed and dried 😁 even if you just took it all along to be dried the machines don't take long and would help with the backlog.

@MT2017 thanks for that. I’ve ordered some from Amazon and am looking forward to giving it a try.

I'm interested in the idea of putting lavender oil in the conditioner drawer - just the oil on its own? Does it actually get taken into the machine if it's only a few drops sitting in the drawer?

Well, I give it a sort of shake into the drawer , so about 10 - 20 drops. It works for me and also the machine smells nice afterwards too.

We never turn anything inside out (takes too long) and have never had a problem with fading.