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Original poster

HELP! American and/or Canadian Ex-pats...what is wrong with my laundry!!!

154 replies

lillabean · 04/09/2006 14:54

Why is it CRUNCHY? WHAT DO I DO??? My baby's clothes are all scratchy, even if I use fabric softener. I have a washer/condenser dryer combo.

Is it my machine? Is it the hard mineral water in London?

Do they make "American" style washers and tumble dryers here? Can anyone recommend a brand?

My baby gives me such dirty looks when I try to dress her in these sandpaper garments! (and let's not even talk about my towels....)

Any other ex-pats figured out a way around this problem, is it just me?

Please help, else must consider life as nudist!

OP posts:
DaddyCool · 04/09/2006 16:51

and canadians really only pretend to be sympathetic anyway.

DaddyCool · 04/09/2006 16:52

Uwila - sorry, just taking the p

Original poster
lillabean · 04/09/2006 16:52

Daddycool, I'm telling you- the baby denims I just took of the line will stand up on their own.

It was the straw that brought the camel to complain her on MN.

OP posts:
DaddyCool · 04/09/2006 16:54

you're supposed to set the machine on rinse before taking them out.

Original poster
lillabean · 04/09/2006 16:56

ahhhh... never occured to me that the four hour dryer ordeal wasn't how it should be going down..

OP posts:
DaddyCool · 04/09/2006 16:57

lol! must cost you a fortune!

KTeepee · 04/09/2006 17:05

My dryer takes ages too so I never dry things from wet, BUT, it has a 10 minute easy-care cycle which is great for getting out the wrinkles and softening towels, etc. I reckon it's all down to which model you have - there was a washer dryer in the house we rented on holidays and clothes came out of the dryer really wrinkled.

Bozza I too was amazed that the family I stayed with as a student didn't hang out their washing - I have since found out that in many areas it is forbidden as it is deemed to "lower the tone" of the neighbourhood.

Original poster
lillabean · 04/09/2006 17:06

I can imagine why you are so anti-dryer Daddy Cool. I must wreak havoc with your beaver pelts.

OP posts:
Original poster
lillabean · 04/09/2006 17:06

"it" must wreak havoc

OP posts:
Bozza · 04/09/2006 20:18

Kteepee we actually have it in our deeds (here in Yorkshire) that we are not allowed to hang clothes out at the front of the property.

arfishymeau · 04/09/2006 23:27

Hi lilla,

Try adding a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. You can also refluff stuff that's crunchy by putting in the tumble dryer for 5 minutes with wet flannel.

You could also try less detergent, the water type can vary quite a lot in London so you might need to adjust it more than it says on the box. Try one tab if you're using 2 or half a tab if one.

The rest of you are masters of tangental discussions. Take your beaver pelts and hemp undies off to another thread while the rest of us are being helpful.

expatinscotland · 04/09/2006 23:28

Helpful?

Thankfully, I am 500 miles from London.

hana · 05/09/2006 00:05

lillabean - am also in London and sometimes get scratchy hard clothes for the girls when hung outside - I sometimes add vinegar in the rinse to soften (when I remember) but it could be your washing powder - I use persil non bil most of the time. I also sometimes throw them in the dryer to soften up for a few minutes or so. rainwater softens them......as I found out the first few times clothes have been left out for days at a time....

and bounce sheets are ridiculously expensive in the UK - stock up next time you're back in Canada!!

themoon66 · 05/09/2006 00:18

Yes, why are tumble dryer sheets so flippin' expensive?? I've always wondered.

hana · 05/09/2006 00:20

when I used to use them I used to cut them in half

Bozza · 05/09/2006 10:37

I thought you needed more detergent if the water was hard? Not less.

Cappuccino · 05/09/2006 10:46

I'm at the needless use of electricity too DC

clothes on the line don't get crunchy cos the wind blows them about a bit and makes them all nice

I have a condenser dryer but I play a little game with myself to see how little I can use it

I actually plan my washing around the weather

Bozza · 05/09/2006 10:51

I thought planning your washing around the weather was standard practice. I have a condensor dryer in the garage which cannot be accessed without going outside. This leads to it not being used that much.

Uwila · 05/09/2006 10:55

Planning our laundry around the weather requires a luxury of time which my DH does not have.

BTW, I mentioned the prospectct of my nanny washing reusable nappies and hanging them to dry last night to said nanny. And she laughed out loud with me.

HuwEdwards · 05/09/2006 11:08

Loving this thread.

I adore a brisk once over with a crunchy towel that has had no softener added to the water and has been dried on the line. It's uplifting.

I also love a big line full of washing - as for the neighbours seeing my drawers....who gives a flying?

Cappuccino · 05/09/2006 12:25

oh god yes, line dried nappies

that's hilarious

Cappuccino · 05/09/2006 12:26

also, Uwila love, I don't have a lot of time either.

But I find that checking the weather report only takes me a minute.

hana · 05/09/2006 12:27

love my line dried nappies over here!!!!

JessaJam · 05/09/2006 12:29

Glad to have provided amusement!

themoon66 · 05/09/2006 12:29

Cappucino... I thought everyone scheduled their laundry to match the weather. I have a condenser dryer too, but use is only for 'finishing off'. I know if the weather forecast is good I think 'right, heavy sofa covers'.