to only use washing powder when stuff is really dirty?

[mumnotmachine]

I put my machine through a bleach wash earlier (90 degrees, empty), followed by towels on a 60 (always do it this way to make sure no bleach trace left for dark wash) I forgot to put liquid in (use a dispenser in drum) so thought not much of it, but then also forgot when I did the dark wash next! I did put softener in though and the stuff has come out absolutely fine!
Is it reasonable to not use any washing stuff except on a white wash- will save me a fortune!!

Depends what is going in, I've been know to leave it out for delicates and I have gone back to using powder in a box - the old skool method - as it means i can "dose" accordingly. Most times I use about half what they suggest ...

Oh god, i replied to a post about washing.

I am old, aren't I?

Am skeptical - Can this really be done? What about pits and gussets?

I'd say no, they might look/smell ok at first but they minute they warm up on your skin the bacteria will breed and smell. Sorry.

You could try using the eco washing balls instead... What is a bleach wash?

That was my first thought DoMeDon. I don't think water alone will keep things clean as a long term thing.

actually it would be a bit like having a shower without using any soap, ok as an emergency thing but wouldn't feel clean doing it long term

Depends on the clothes and the wear. I often use a short rinse to freshen clothes.

On the other hand I always boil wash bedding, towels, dish cloths and tea-towels. Bedding and towels arent dirty (towels washed every day, bedding every 4-6 days) so I dont always use washing powder on those

On a similar note- I have some M&S clothes where the label says- If it's not dirty, wash at 30.

To which I always say in my head- If it's not dirty, don't bloody wash it!!

GOLDdebka I think the exact same thing when I read M&S labels lol!

I also thought the same thing when I read the OP - if it's not dirty why are you washing it? If something needs washing, then IMO it needs detergent - otherwise you aren't washing it, you're wetting it. Which is not the same thing.

As others have said, it may smell fine to start with but once it gets warm the bacteria in it will start to smell.

What a DREADFUL idea!, I use bleach, disinfectant, quite a lot of soap powder and everything, scrub them too, tut tut!.

One extreme to the other from the op to mybaby!

I would only use anything more than soap powder and softner if something was really stained.

That's true!. I do have a bit of that OCD but I kinda like it!!.

So you're just swirling them through some warm water then?

That's not cleaning them is it? It's wetting them.

It really depends on what you're washing. If the clothes are in any way greasy, or smelly, the water will just encourage bacteria to grow. When you wear the clothes and they get warm bacteria will start to breed and you could get that horrible unwashed laundry smell. For a while without her realising my mum's washing machine wasn't releasing the powder into the drum while it was ok at first (as I suppose the powder residue in the drum from other washes was still there, and was washing the clothes) eventually the clothes absolutely stank.

We brought the Eco washing balls - they are amazing! Has saved me a fortune (I have a 1 yr old dd so everything gets dirty!)

Sorry Jumping, bedding although it may look clean is actually pretty manky - an average adult loses around a pint of sweat every night - two people over a week adds up to a LOT of bacteria- and urea-laden sweat shudder

YABU.

LOL it was only the one load of clothes that went through (plus the first towels)- couldnt bring myself to carry on. Normal service resumed today!