Do I need a new washing machine?

[milkyjo]

Stains from food just don't come out of the kids clothes. I've used many different brands of washing powder, and I add soda crystals, I've tried stain stuff it the draw, pre-wash, bleach for whites, I only use the normal long wash not the quick function. I maintain my washing machine and clean it with an oust sachet every so often, yet the stains remain. It's not just difficult stains like tomato based food, it's everything! My washing machine is 8 years old and apart from the stains it works (as in it completes a cycle). Do other people have this problem with their young children's clothes? Sometimes adult clothes stains don't come out either but we don't get very dirty. Kids are 10 months and 3 years. Should I get a new washing machine or is the problem likely not to be resolved? Thanks for any advice.

What temperature do you wash at? I find that

Are you sure it is actually getting hot? I wonder if there could be a fault with the thermostat or heating element.

Aldi Almat powder is one of the Which best buys. Don't use a "for colours" formula if you are getting residual stains.

We still use Persil non-bio, but the bio powders do actually work better on test.

I am currently using persil non-bio as DS has eczema. It's definitely getting hot as I can feel it through the door. I always wash at 40 degrees, unless delicate, or towels at 60. I have used almat but the stains remain. DH thinks we need a new machine but not sure if it would help, and being on mat leave it's not like we can afford it!

Agree with Aldi Almat, maybe you are over filling it? I wash non colours at 50 degrees with Aldi liquid wash and don't have stains.

Try doing half a load just as an experiment to see if the stains come out. From what you are saying, your machine doesnt sound faulty.

If it's heating up, and no doubt churning properly as you will see it through the door, I'm puzzled too. You are using the recommended amount of powder, and it isn't clogging in the drawer or its chute? I put powder in through the door to avoid clogging.

With children's food stains I expect they are being washed quite promptly without much time to set. I suppose you could try giving them an overnight soak or prewash. Or experimentally try a prewash laundry spray.

Any chance an obliging friend would let you try a load in their machine with your usual powder?

p.s.

the last washing machine here had a fault where it would fill up and drain, but not churn or spin. Probably the motor. Before stopping completely, it got unreliable and load would come out not properly done. Has yours got worse over time?

bio really does get stuff cleaner than non-bio - one of mine had eczema intermittently as a child so I always used non-bio - he's grown up & left home now so I switched to bio & its performance was a total revelation!

everything smells cleaner too - it used to be a bit musty

try bio at 40 degrees for a couple of washes; if your DS reacts then wash his stuff in bio maybe once a week/fortnight, then immediately wash it again in non-bio

I use Aldi Almat powder btw. my machine has the option of an extra rinse & I always use that.

I'd take a load to your launderette with your regular powder etc and see if that gets the clothes any cleaner maybe ?

Boil wash a few things that would be more or less safe at 90C and see what happens. I bet it's a temperature issue.

Try switching to a bio.

The only difference between bio and non bio is that bio contains enzymes.

I'm not trying to tell you about your sons eczema, but there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that enzymes aggravate the skin.

Even the detergent manufactures confirm the main reason why some people may find non bios better, is because they carry our more testing on the products/fragrances used in non bios.

The uk is actually one of the very few countries where bio and non bio are sold alongside each other, in the states, nearly all detergents are always bio (only the detergents sold for delicates are non bio - dreft etc) for example there isn't a Tide bio and Tide non bio.

Id say give bio a try and wash just one outfit of your sons in it. when he wears that outfit, if he reacts then switch back.

Sorry for the shocking spelling on that post - on my phone :@