How badly am I fuc**** up?

[CatMilkMan]

i have never really done the washing (in the washing machine) and I would appreciate educating.
Here's what I do...

I put washing in the washing machine with 3 persil non bio washing capsules and a dash of Ariel actilift (which I pour straight in to the washing machine drum), I set the washing machine to cotton 60 degrees with extra rinse and spin.
I then forget about it and do the whole thing again.

I honestly have no idea what I'm doing wrong. Everything is clean and I then put it in the tumble dryer but I feel like I'm missing out on efficiency and I'm to embarrassed to ask in real life. (Obviously I should stop forgetting and just do it once but other than that?)

Today it is dry and sunny here. Midlands. I use RainToday as part of my job as I teach horticulture as I have to plan outdoor activities in advance - if I know we have a good day coming, the clothes get shoved out before I leave in the morning.

Is it reliable? I have been caught out by the Metoffice quite frequently.

How about if you put the washing on so that it is ready for when you get up in the morning, so you know that when you get up the first thing you do is put the washing on airer or in dryer ? If you have a set time for doing washing then it becomes a habit and you wont forget the washing in the machine. Just find a time that makes sense to you and do it then.

Wouldn't it be easier to read the instructions on the washing powder and washing machine?
And write yourself a note to say you've done it?

Don't use so much detergent.

Use powder at the recommended amount. Liquid and capsules make your machine slimy.

Wash at 40. I only wash towels at 60 or above.

Don't forget to take it out of the machine.

Simple really.

Thanks everyone I'm reading through the posts and taking it on board, I thought I was probably over thinking it.

Definitely use fabric conditioner on clothes and bed linen washes. But, not on towels, they won't absorb properly otherwise.

I use an eco detergent that is better for the environment, no softner as find don't need it, dry outside if weather compatible, otherwise inside finish on aga or radiator. Dryer died a while back and not yet got to replacing it

oh and wash on 40 generally but eco quick wash

Ariel Actilift is a biological washing powder, so you're using 3 non bio liquitabs and then biological washing powder on top?

Agree with previous, definitely don't need that much detergent, other than that, just try to devise a schedule/routine, whereby the washing is not left in machine any more than 2 hours after cycle end, as otherwise, it would indeed need to be rewashed.

1. separate your laundry into whites, light colours, dark colours, towels & bedding, woollens/delicates
2. select your products. For whites: biological powder For colours: any liquid Towels & bedding: ideally biological powder Woollens & delicates: a silk & wool detergent For all loads: fabric conditioner For really heavy soiling: pre-treater
3. put one load in drum. Wash whites and colours at 30-40 degrees. Sheets & towels at 60. Delicates and wool on a hand wash cycle.

Twice a year put your washing machine on the highest temperature with a wee squirt of domestos in the drawer and no clothes inside. This is a maintenance wash and will clean up your pipes.