It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions)

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It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 7:30:11 AM

camille65

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From: Austin Texas
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Since I have moved into an apartment and began using the old inefficient washer/dryer here I have had laundry issues. My clothes seem to be falling apart and they don't seem to be very clean.

I've read that using white vinegar and/or baking soda can make a difference, but I'm not sure how to use them! So I am asking the brilliant collective minds of CM for their accumulated knowledge.

When, how much etc do I add the vinegar and baking soda?

Thanks!
~camille, who feels a bit grubby.

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 7:34:06 AM

sirsholly

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Camille...i never used baking soda in the wash, and only used vinegar if something had an odor or alot of soap scum (like a shower curtain). What i use is Borax as a laundry booster. And as far as your clothes falling apart...is the agitator in the washer working as it should be? (i know...hard to tell)

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 7:45:07 AM

camille65

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Nothing 'smells' clean enough to me! I think partly because I am so used to line drying and getting the fresh air drying instead of machine drying. How much vinegar, and when do you add it?

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 7:45:51 AM

LaTigresse

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Would it be possible to get a small apt sized washer that you could do your laundry in? It sounds like the washer you are using is tearing stuff up. As for the baking soda, I have only used it where the water was really hard and just shook it in without measuring.

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 7:49:39 AM

LaTigresse

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something like this might be perfect for you

http://wize.com/washing-machines/p36233-haier-hlp21e-top-load-washer#t=28848

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 8:10:43 AM

camille65

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LaT the washer/dryers are in my unit, heh I pay extra for the privilege. I am considering trying one of those public places, but haven't used them before and I assume they are fairly battered as well.

My lease ends here at the end of May, so I am going to look into buying my own w/d (thanks for the link). But until then I want clean clean sheets! I smoke cigarettes and even after washing twice can smell the tobacco. That has never happened with my laundry before.

So I thought perhaps using vinegar or baking soda (dang I am tempted to use them together for the fun foam effect hahahaha) would help solve it but am unsure of the technique.

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 8:17:15 AM

maybemaybenot

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cammile:
If your clothes are malodorous, you can add one half cup of vinegar to your wash. I also have a washer dryer that is shared. I do not use vinegar every wash, I don't think it's that good for fabric to be washed regularly in it. < just my little quirk> Every two weeks, I run an empty washer with 2 Cups vinegar added. Works like a charm. My little household tips book says you can use it every wash if you like. < 1/2 Cup per load, acts as a softener >
Do not put the vinegar in the laundry softener thingy. You will get a sudsy mess.
Do you have hard water where you are ? If so a laundry softener will also do the trick.

Have you tried putting your delicate clothes in one of those mesh laudry bags and then into the washer ? I do that for panties, bras, fine fabrics and anything that may get chewed up in the washer. I use more than one bag and don't " stuff" them full.

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 8:21:33 AM

maybemaybenot

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I forgot....
Do you have a Dollar Tree near you ? They sell something called Awesome, an all purpose cleaner. It is a great stain remover, better than Shout. I use this for stains and I also add a half cup to my whites when I wash them.

mbmbn

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 8:56:42 AM

housesub4you

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We have very hard water in our area, and I had the same problem you are experiencing. I changed laundry Detergents and use ERA, that seems to work better in hard water and I also add a softner to the wash.

Buy small laundry dert's until you find the one that works best in your water.

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RE: It All Comes Out In The Wash (Laundry Questions) - 3/2/2009 9:01:52 AM

camille65

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Thanks membn. I have soft water (wow so very unlike my rock hard well water back in Michigan!) and have seen no signs of mineralization. I used to have to do the vinegar thing with my coffee maker weekly. Today I am going to try the 1/2 cup with a load of older sheets and I am assuming I add that when the water has filled? I won't be experimenting on my bamboo/cotton sheets (oh my they are really wonderful).

Additionally I always add a healthy sized scoop of OxyClean, but even still something isn't quite right in the end. It isn't a 'stain' issue but one of general cleanliness.

Heh I sound all OCD about laundry. I just want clean clean without all that scented crap which makes me itch unbearably.

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