Bleach v temperature

[Dilbertian]

We're being told to wash our clothes at 30 instead of 40 to save energy and £££s. I find that the occasional wash at 30 isn't a problem, but, with skanky teens, regularly washing at 30 results eventually in a manky, smelly washing machine. So I end up having to do a 95 wash more frequently.

I'm thinking that adding bleach to all or most 30 degree washes should counteract this problem. Chlorine bleach in whites and oxygen bleach in colours.

Does this sound sensible?

Due to allergies, I'm very limited in what laundry products I can use.

Dettol laundry cleanser sorts this problem for me. I can wash at 30 regularly without issue. Obviously the usual keeping the door open and letting the machine dry out properly after each wash too.

Can't use that stuff - allergic to it.

Be more selective about your washing.
so underwear, sports clothes etc 60C
jeans/trousers can get away with 40c
air your clothes more often.

but I’d never wash at 30C as they usually whiff. However my machine has an eco setting and a short wash setting for 60c.

another option to consider is soaking clothes before you wash in the machine

The machine is rarely smelly in normal use at 40. We keep the door open between uses. I clean the detergent drawer and the door seal every few months. I run a cleaning cycle at 95 once or twice a year (using it for towels at the same time).

Machines never actually dry out between uses. There is always some water left in the sump and under the drainage hole in the door seal.

Do you use powder - much better for your machine, and cheaper too! Bleach is awful for the environment - maybe try mixing some soda crystals with powder? Works for me.

Just seen the bit about machine not drying out - mine never has any water in after a wash. that doesn't sound right.

Have you never drained your sump? Biggest haul ever a few weeks ago: beads from a friendship bracelet, sweet wrappers and several 5p coins.

what about a little zoflora or as somone mentioned dettol
washing at a high temp will cost alot and damage clothes

also soak the clothes,stip the machine for 30 mins see if that help

Allergic. Allergic.

😃

Pain in the bum.

Clean your filter out !

My washing machine requires a drum clean (70 deg) wash every 40 washes to keep it clean & hygienic.

We do drain it every couple of months, but there's never much in it. I do a 90 deg wash every couple of months and used to wash whites at 60 - have cut that out now. Still going to do the 90 wash every now and again though.

Puzzled about this. I cannot find anything that suggests that discharging diluted bleach through the household sewage, or even through surface water sewer, is at all harmful. String out undiluted bleach directly onto soil or into watercourses is harmful, but not normal domestic use.

String out undiluted bleach

That was meant to say Strong or undiluted bleach...

But the way it's made ... www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/aug/12/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth

And I can't see how it's good for your clothes. I would use powder and soda crystals - better for your machine and everyone else!

I wash everything but towels at 30. If there's sports gear in the wash I add napisan with the washing powder. Really grubby stuff or marks get pre-treated with soap or washing up liquid or a Vanish type spray.

But the way it's made ... www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/aug/12/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth

The organochlorine compounds referred to in that article do not come from the manufacture of bleach. Bleach is made by mixing chlorine gas, water and caustic soda. No organic chemicals are involved.

Organochlorines are created when bleach is discharged directly into the environment and reacts with the organic materials present in the soil and watercourses.

Hmm ... OK to use bleach then ... I really can't think it is. Going to stick with soap and soda - my 23 year old washing machine isn't manky or skanky, so don't need to change.

But surely it can't be a choice between bleach in most washes and 90 deg programmes - that's not normal washing, is it? And I've washed the clothes of four teenage boys along with dog blankets and the like ... I've never had to resort to such drastic measures.

No, it isn't. Normal washing for us is 40 with powder detergent. Occasionally liquid detergent for delicate or bright colours. Vanish spray for stains. A 95 wash once it twice a year.

I mean no it isn't a choice between bleach and 95 deg.

I'm looking to find a way to make 30 deg my normal wash.

I only wash at 30 and my machine never smells. Maybe you have a partially blocked outlet or something?

I use a 20 degree wash with a dash of laundry sanitiser and/or vinegar. I use a powder made for cold washes. My clothes smell clean.

Are you putting your clothes outside to dry? Could also try putting baking soda or washing soda in with the powder, if you can't use sanitiser. Might help.