Libby asked: I have a front loading washing machine and cannot get my whites white. When replaced with new whites, within 2-3 washings, they are just as grey and dingy. I only use HE detergents and have tried different brands, hot water and adding bleach, all to no avail. Help!
With the trend toward front loading washers comes an unfortunate truth: clothes need water to come clean, and lots of it. Front load washers use a relatively small amount of water and as such, it has become apparent that dingy whites are a side effect of these types of machines. Moreover, a return of grayed fabrics to their former bright white glory isn’t likely to happen. There are, however, a few steps you can take to keep whites looking their best.
- Don’t mix colors. Only wash whites with other whites.
- Don’t overload the machine. The fewer items in the load, the more likely they are to get clean.
- Use the hottest possible water suitable for your load.
- Consider pre-soaking whites in Oxi Clean or a similar oxygenated detergent.
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I have found the new OxiClean liquid added with my detergent has kept my whites white. I used to use Tide but it does not work, nor does it take out the stains.
What detergent do you use? Do you have any odor problems with your front loader? I usually buy liquid Kirkland He detergent. I did not know there was an OxiClean liquid? I need to restock so thanks.
To my white load, I always add ammonia and sometimes peroxide. I never use bleach any longer. Also, too much detergent doesn’t always rinse out completely. With detergent, less is best.
My front loader is smelling moldy. I regularly use tide front load washer cleaner, I leave the door open when I’m not washing, and I was shocked when I washed behind the rubber at the door!
Any suggestions?
Some front load washers have the option of “extra water” and/or “extra rinse”. Both can be helpful.
Whites need to be washed separate, try adding a laundry booster like — baking soda ( I buy big bag at Costco or borax — these are both washing items used decades ago, but they help & always be sure to use the extra rinse cycle.
I had lingering odor problems with my front loader. Run some of the new cleaning solutions through it, then leave the door open when not in use. Fortunately, mine are out of sight, so that’s not a big issue for me. Only thing that worked, though. After only five years, the bearings are going, and I’ll have to get another soon. My next washer will NOT be a front loader!
We’ve been fortunate using Consumer Reports’ recommendations. Among them, do not use too much detergent. The Oxyclean is beneficial for presoak. Recently Spray ‘n Wash was recommend as the best strain remover. To prevent the odor from the machine itself, leave the door open so it can air and dry out. That has worked. If the odor get real bad, there is a product that is made for that “Affresh”. When they’ve rated detergents there have been some very good and some not good at all. So which one you use will make a difference. We’ve had very little problem with whites and have used front loaders for almost twenty years. Hard water will cause some of that problem as well.
I add TSP to the wash water and also to the dishwasher. A teaspoon full seems to work ok. But try it yourself. The situation is this: THE “GREEN” IDIOTS have had all the phosphates removed from non-commercial soaps and detergents. So I put TSP back in! You can get both liquid and powder from a hardware store. Using liquid now. The big companies have been bullied by the JERK gov’t to do this and if you look on their packages, they are “bragging” phosphate free. JERKS. Commercial detergents not affected so if you can get a laundry or dishwasher soap from a restaurant/cleaning supply house. DO IT!! Its the democrats who want to CONTROL (RULE) us and want us to live in caves and eat weeds while they drive SUVs and feast on filet Mignon. We’re in California. Going to Nevada to get incandescent light bulbs before they are banned there. The scheme is this: The CFLs which have dangerous mercury in them and can expose you when broken, are supposed to cut energy use so that the gov’t can get more electric power to the supplying electric grid is my thought. There is simply not enough electrical power available to recharge more than about 5% of all possible electric vehicles. More CONTROL by the B**** and Hollywood freako libs.
Re: front-loader machine moldy odor ( in Deb’s July 2 comment):
A little late with this, but ‘better late than never’!! I have never smelled anything unusual in my front-loader – I suspect it is because I always use regular chlorox for bath towels, washcloths, and underwear (underwear washed separately from bath items), and maybe the chlorox kills anything that is in the washer that would cause an odor such as mold. I have read about tests where they find e. coli in washing machines and I started using the Chlorox on the items where e.coli may be on. Also, I noticed a good while ago that some of the specialty Chlorox recommend you use the regular Chlorox for disinfecting, so I do not buy anything other than the regular now.