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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Feel somewhat shamed and embarassed to be asking this question...but...

39 replies

flatmouse · 22/09/2006 11:46

Having managed reasonably successfully to wash clothes for the last 20+ years, my burning question is this:

What is "Prewash" for?
What does it achieve?
What detergent or other do you put in where when doing said prewash?
When would you use it?
and.... Is it worth it?

tia

OP posts:
colditz · 22/09/2006 11:48

In my opinion, it is for weetabix, porridge and dried on sick.

scotchick · 22/09/2006 11:49

not necessary - as you've proved with your 20 years of good housekeeping!

Bad for the environment anyway. Should always wash at 40 degrees if you can. Even 60 uses up so much more energy, let along pre-washing.

Quootiepie · 22/09/2006 11:50

Hijack - My washing machine has a little section for prewash - if I was ever to use a prewash, what do I put in that tray thingy?

desperateSCOUSEwife · 22/09/2006 11:51

I only use it for dh's work uniform to take the chocolate off

Original poster
flatmouse · 22/09/2006 11:51

So then what is the answer to getting white polo shirts clean? That's not happening at the moment - they still have stains & look grubby post 40 degree wash.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 22/09/2006 11:51

i only use 60 for towels, nappies and bed linens.

everything else goes at 40.

Original poster
flatmouse · 22/09/2006 11:52

and, whilst we're on the subject - what temp does pre-wash run at?

OP posts:
desperateSCOUSEwife · 22/09/2006 11:52

i use a 90 for whites
and a prewash if very dirty

Original poster
flatmouse · 22/09/2006 11:53

90! doesn't that shrink them?

OP posts:
colditz · 22/09/2006 11:53

Glowhite.

foxtrot · 22/09/2006 11:55

have you just noticed the button on your machine? Its for yukky things - sports kits, sick encrusted bedclothes - which need to have two washes, one to get the worst dirt off and then a proper wash. Use usual detergent in the smaller of the two compartments. Have to use the detergent drawer for the main wash too, not a ball or tabs in the drum, coz the prewash would obviously wash it away.

Original poster
flatmouse · 22/09/2006 11:56

Um, well, yes i did just notice Prewash on the dial . And that, linked to the grubby polo shirts is what led to my question.

OP posts:
desperateSCOUSEwife · 22/09/2006 11:58

only one of the kids jackets shrunk a bit
on a 90 wash

Bucketsofdinosaurs · 22/09/2006 12:10

I don't even use prewash or 90degrees for my pooey nappy bucket! Have nebver had a problem getting crusty sick out at 40 degrees and that's with non-bio powder.
I'd be wary of doing polycotton poloshirts if the prewash is part of the higher temp cycle (mine is.)

Original poster
flatmouse · 22/09/2006 12:12

Prewash appears to be it's own little cycle on my washing machine. May try it just for fun. But even a 60 deg wash with added Vanish doesn't get DS polo shirts clean. (he gets incredibly dirty but then children should be able to i feel )

OP posts:
Bucketsofdinosaurs · 22/09/2006 15:46

If they're white try hanging them on the washing line all weekend to catch some sun. Works on poo-stained nappies.

Mascaraohara · 22/09/2006 15:52

I wash everything except towels and bedlinen at 30...

dreamteamgirl · 25/09/2006 21:51

I had to use the pre wash on some towels I used to soak up a kitchen flood.

Very rarely use it, as everything is washed at 40oC with soapnuts to avoid all those nasty chemicals

I put some Vanish Oxi in the prewash tray then washed the towels after at 90 too. They were too gross to consider anything else.

They did come up well for it, but wouldnt use it often.

fullmoonfiend · 25/09/2006 21:57

Dreamteamgirl - what are soapnuts? Do they work? And where do you get them?

Just seen an advert for Aerial 'wash at 30 degrees' to save energy which is very smart of them, but lord only knows what manner of witches brew is contained in them to to compensate for the lower temperature. Anyone knowledgeable about these things?

dreamteamgirl · 25/09/2006 22:11

You not seen soapnuts? They are bloody marvellous!!!! I get mine here

They are the berries of the soapnut tree and contain natural sapine. Incredibly cheap, suprisingly effective and NO CHEMICALS. Best of all we have all but 'cured' DS' excema since we no longer use detergent on any of his clothes.

Quote : Soap really does grow on trees. They could also work out cheaper than your regular powder.
Soap Nuts are actually not nuts, they are a shelled seed or berry - it's the shells that we use. They grow wild in Nepal and India and are a natural source of high quality Saponin.

Honestly try them, I am so evangelical about it, I have bought them for my mum, MIL, sister, G'parents everyone

themoon66 · 25/09/2006 22:18

Is it a joke? I've just seen the address at the bottom... LOL.

fullmoonfiend · 25/09/2006 22:25

Thanks DTgirk, am going to send off for a free sample!
I am currently using those washing pebble thingies from Lakeland which are ace, but I am missing a 'scent'...

hunkermunker · 25/09/2006 22:27

I don't know anything about prewash. I don't use it. Just bought some soapnuts though - thanks for the link!

MrsSpoon · 25/09/2006 22:31

I sometimes use pre wash for grotty things but often don't put any soap in the pre wash compartment, only soap in the main bit.

PinkTulips · 25/09/2006 22:32

intigued at the concept of soapnuts..... going to try the free sample

as for prewash, as its attached to the 95degree cyclo on my machine it never gets used and i have to say even stuck on poo on nappies comes out at 60 so don't really see the need unless its dire

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