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[Dorothy]

I think it's meant to be cider vinegar, but I use whichever is cheapest...for years, I 've been using big bottles of malt vinegar which works out about 1/10 price of most fabric softeners!

[CLKD]

How much do you put in? to the drawer rather than drum …...

[Dorothy]

In the fabric conditioner drawer.  Not sure how much really, I don't measure it, just pour it in.  Maybe start with the same amount you use for fabric conditioner and see how you go?  I tend to put a bit more in for static-y stuff and less for things like cotton towels.

[ariadne]

DH stripped down the old washing machine today ……. took it apart, sorted bits for the recycling bin, some went into the land fill bin but he found that the outlet pipes were FULL of gunk.  So much for using Calgon etc., it would seem that the back up of the gunk probably caused the mother board to burn out = not reading the wash programme 

Of course these pipes are not accessible to clean as they are buried deep in the guts of the machine 

You can make a fab firepit out of an old washing machine drum. Have you still got it? Have a google- they look great.

Ariadne xx

[CLKD]

   both.  Will try the vinegar trick.

Yep we were told about drums making good BarBQs ……. it's laying around the yard 

It would probably make a good water feature too.

[CLKD]

1 thing I've noticed is, that by having a larger drum, I don't do as much washing each week  …… 'cos it takes more clothes.  It makes drying inside more difficult as I run out of space  ………. so it must be 'greener' to have a larger drum, initially for putting the sheep skin rugs through when it's a sunny, windy day so they can get a blow after washing. 

I've cracked the programme required: cottons, 60 degs., 'quick' means 5 mins. under 2 hours.  It switches off automatically if I don't go to it when it bleeps to say 'finished'.

[honeybun]

Have you got a tumble dryer CLKD, I simply couldn't manage without mine. It's rarely used in spring and summer but given where I live trying to dry inside is just not an option. I'm not prepared to have wet washing hanging around. It causes condensation and dampness.....so tumble dryer it is.
I never have to add anything to my wash....we have very soft water here.

I did read that London water is recycled through lots of things....and people umpteen times 

I know where our water comes from....I drive past it.


Honeybun
X

[CLKD]

But your water is put through a filtering system etc. before it reaches your taps - unless it comes out peaty coloured?  That happened when we stayed at Dornie, our bath was filled from the spring behind the bungalow - there was a warning on the taps that it might be peaty with bits in  …….

Anglia Water region has HARD water - most comes from aquifers deep in the ground …….. and nope, never had a tumble drier as our utility room has the boiler in so clothing is dried within hours in the Winter.  Out on the line weather allowing and the window can be opened to allow a blow through.  Sorted 

[honeybun]

Well yes it's filtered....but not through other people before its filtered again 

Been on loads of holidays in the Highlands where the water is brown....tastes pretty bad and stains your clothes.

Our water is really very good and very soft so I guess our appliances should last longer as there is no lime scale.

I couldn't manage without my dryer. Even in summer I will use it to fluff my towels....I hate a scratchy towel.

Honeybun
X

[Joyce]

Wouldn't be without my dryer! Daughter's house is like a Chinese laundry most of the time. House damp enough on it's own without the washing.

[CLKD]

Apparently some tumble driers are on 're-call' and shouldn't be used until they have been repaired  despite what the Company Hot-line might suggest 

[CLKD]

Apparently there's now a 'add wash' facility on some washing machines: great as long as the 2 year old doesn't notice and decides to put the hamster in with the laundry 

[Goosieloosie]

I've just saw this thread and wanted to say that I've used white vinegar for years as a fabric conditioner! I put it in the compartment where the fabric conditioner goes instead of using fabric conditioner but I only use it when I do towels and whites, I never use it on coloured clothes. It not only keeps my towels nice & fresh but the washing machine also, I hardly ever have to clean out the drawer, before vinegar the drawer used to get black & mouldy really quickly. No you can't smell the vinegar, at least not once the clothes are dry as it evaporates. I do wash towels every day though as there are 4 of us living here. I buy the cheap white vinegar from Asda or Tesco for less than 50p a bottle 

[CLKD]

How much to you put in each time?  I had my powder drawer out on Sat. morning and gave it a Very Good Scrubbing 

[Goosieloosie]

How much to you put in each time?  I had my powder drawer out on Sat. morning and gave it a Very Good Scrubbing 

I just fill the fabric conditioner compartment to the arrow so I would imagine the same size dose as the recommended fabric softener!