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Laundry thoughts-using too many products

post #1 of 20
1/20/11 at 5:19pm
Thread Starter 
We finally got the new washer (and a new dryer) today at work.
I spoke with the installer/store owner and asked for any tips to keep the washer operating optimally.

He did say that the rubber (?) seal/gasket was in bad shape and asked if we used a lot of bleach.

This got me too thinking maybe we are using too many cleaning agents.

We soak our towel, oven gloves in oxyclean with laundry soap and hot water.

This is drained. In the washer we use detergent, bleach and Oxyclean. We wash in hot water.

Does this seem to make the towels cleaner-not really. So I'm thinking we should not use all three. But I don't know to continue using bleach or the Oxyclean.

Thoughts??
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post #2 of 20
1/20/11 at 5:24pm
I just use bleach and only on our white bath towels and on the dish towels. So, maybe 2-4 loads a month?? Otherwise we just use regular detergent, and only a very small amount (max up to the first line on the cup). I have no idea what condition our washer is in, though. *shrug* Sorry I'm not much help.
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post #3 of 20
1/20/11 at 5:28pm
I would only use oxiclean if there are stains, otherwise no need.
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post #4 of 20
1/20/11 at 5:30pm
Thread Starter 
There are stains but they aren't going to come out which okay as we use the towels for dishes, wiping the bench, wiping the pans. The general public doesn't see them.
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post #5 of 20
1/20/11 at 5:38pm
I use bleach to kill germs, not so much to get rid of stains. I'm not sure if Oxi-Clean does that or not.
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post #6 of 20
1/20/11 at 5:43pm
I use laundry detergent, borax, baking soda, and vinegar rather than fabric softener. Borax helps keep the towels nice and crisp looking.
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post #7 of 20
1/20/11 at 7:13pm
I have a front loading washer and the instructions specifically state "do not use bleach". It gives no reason why.

Not being a regular bleach user it's not a problem.

But I did notice that I don't have to use as much soap as my former top loader. If I use too much I get too much suds left over.
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post #8 of 20
1/20/11 at 7:21pm
My washer said no bleach and no fabric softener

Bleach I have always and will always do in a sink or a bucket used only for that
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post #9 of 20
1/20/11 at 7:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CheshireCat View Post
I have a front loading washer and the instructions specifically state "do not use bleach". It gives no reason why.

Not being a regular bleach user it's not a problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharky View Post
My washer said no bleach and no fabric softener

Bleach I have always and will always do in a sink or a bucket used only for that
Hmmm...since we'll be buying a new washer when we move, this info is helpful. Do you think all front loader machines state no bleach? Is there a way to find this out before we buy one? I'd prefer to continue using bleach, so I'd like to find a machine that will allow me to do so. I don't want to find out after the fact that I can't.
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post #10 of 20
1/20/11 at 10:09pm
I have a Kenmore front loader and it has a bleach spot in the dispenser so it must be fine? I hope so!

I bleach my towels (1 load a week) and every so often I'll use a little bleach on the whites just to brighten them up a bit. I fill to the "minimum" line on the dispenser which seems like it is no more than a quarter to half a cup (closer to a quarter I think).

I've read that fabric softener is bad for front loading machines. I have a dispenser for that as well on my machine but use it sparingly, maybe once out of 3 or 4 loads.
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post #11 of 20
1/20/11 at 11:13pm
I use washing powder with enzymes, and vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. The rare times I use bleach, it's for soaking in the laundry trough.
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post #12 of 20
1/21/11 at 12:08am
The rubber gasket in a front loader is always exposed to the water and ehatever else you're using, and bleach will shorten its service life. All those additives are bad for the environment, too, and usually absolutely unnecessary. Some bleach for stained or dingy items on occasion, and softener only when you're line-drying terrycloth or the like, would be sufficient and more environment-friendly.
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post #13 of 20
1/21/11 at 5:36am
We use bleach on one load of white laundry a month; that's about it. Other than that, we use detergent only. We have a Bounce bar in the dryer. Sometimes I'll use Woolite for some of my sweaters.
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post #14 of 20
1/21/11 at 8:43am
i only use bleach and hot water for the towels. otherwise pretty much cold water and vinegar. no softener, and no dryer shhets either since they coat your clothes with chemicals that are not good to have next to your skin.
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post #15 of 20
1/21/11 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kara_leigh View Post
Hmmm...since we'll be buying a new washer when we move, this info is helpful. Do you think all front loader machines state no bleach? Is there a way to find this out before we buy one? I'd prefer to continue using bleach, so I'd like to find a machine that will allow me to do so. I don't want to find out after the fact that I can't.
The best way to find out is by reading the instructions. Unfortunately you don't get to read them until after you purchased the machine.

Sometimes you can find them on line. These days there seems to be a trend toward not giving printed information. Instead they give you the address to their web site.

If you have particular model in mind you can ask the sales person about it or maybe find the instructions on line.
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post #16 of 20
1/21/11 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kara_leigh View Post
Hmmm...since we'll be buying a new washer when we move, this info is helpful. Do you think all front loader machines state no bleach? Is there a way to find this out before we buy one? I'd prefer to continue using bleach, so I'd like to find a machine that will allow me to do so. I don't want to find out after the fact that I can't.
Not sure Mine is a TOP loading HE washer / dryer sent
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post #17 of 20
1/21/11 at 4:46pm
I'll look it up. The set I want to get is the Whirlpool Duet Steam (in red lol). Hopefully I can find the manual online. Thanks!

Edit: I checked, and I can use bleach with the washer that I want.
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post #18 of 20
1/21/11 at 5:57pm
Thread Starter 
I thiknk the key is to use the amount of product suggested by the manufacturer.
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post #19 of 20
1/21/11 at 6:03pm
Bleach can not only shorten the life of your washer, but there is always a danger of the last cycle having bleach residue caught somewhere that ends up on the next load of non-whites.

I am not a fan, and for cleaning cycles, my washer has a special mode that uses extremely high temperatures, and I pop in one of those cleaners, but that is but once a month.
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post #20 of 20
1/21/11 at 8:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducman69 View Post
Bleach can not only shorten the life of your washer, but there is always a danger of the last cycle having bleach residue caught somewhere that ends up on the next load of non-whites.
I've been using bleach on my dishrags and bath towels for years and have never had that happen.
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