The science of washing machines

[Boudicca]

I need a new washing machine as my current one isn’t up to the task. I rent rooms on Airbnb so I do a lot of washing. I am fed up with washing, drying and ironing superking bedding and then finding a spot of ink, blood or tea just as I get to the last section of ironing. I want a machine which gets things clean first time round. And I don’t want it to take too long.


I’ve looked at commercial machines, but they are ridiculously expensive. And I’d really like to know why the machines in the laundrette take so much less time than domestic machines. And what makes one washing machine better than another. I mean it just goes round and round, doesn’t it?

 

[cybershot]

Have you tried changing detergents first?

 

[Boudicca]

Have you tried changing detergents first?

Yes, I've tried them all Bio is definitely better at 40 degrees, beyond that, no discernible difference.

 

[twentythreedom]

Try 60deg and a more intense wash. Bedding should be OK with that

You shouldn't be ironing bedding, totally unnecessary imo

 

[weltweit]

All I know is apparently German washing machines are more reliable.
Whether they wash better I couldn't say.

 

[Boudicca]

Try 60deg and a more intense wash. Bedding should be OK with that

4 loads of washing at 2 hr 15 minutes a time isn't practical. Hence my interest in commercial machines which magically seem to do the same thing in 40 minutes. But how?

You shouldn't be ironing bedding, totally unnecessary imo

You don't get to be a Superdooperhost by giving people wrinkly sheets.

 

[Artaxerxes]

You want a very hot wash and basically bleach to clean bedding whiter than white.

 

[moose]

Maybe get one that takes bigger loads, if yours doesn't already? I've spent years with a 3kg capacity machine that took nearly 3 hours for the cotton wash, but just got one that takes 8kg! Still takes 3 hours, but I can get so much more done at once. There were 12kg capacity washers, but too deep for the space in my kitchen.

 

[Boudicca]

Maybe get one that takes bigger loads, if yours doesn't already? I've spent years with a 3kg capacity machine that took nearly 3 hours for the cotton wash, but just got one that takes 8kg! Still takes 3 hours, but I can get so much more done at once. There were 12kg capacity washers, but too deep for the space in my kitchen.

Mine is 7kg, which isn't too bad but I'd need a 12kg to get the sheets and towels in the same load.

 

[Calamity1971]

You want a very hot wash and basically bleach to clean bedding whiter than white.

. No, bleach will yellow them and rot them overtime. Try adding bicarbonate of soda and maybe one of those spiky washing balls that agitates the fabric.

 

[twentythreedom]

You don't get to be a Superdooperhost by giving people wrinkly sheets.

Put them straight on from dryer? Works for me.

 

[T & P]

The only bit of advice I can offer is: get a Bosch, or at least avoid Hotpoint and Indesit. The former: reliable as fuck, 13 years and counting. The latter two (part of the same group as it happens) utter unreliable shite.

 

[tim]

Like Boudicca I don't understand why the ones in the laundrette are so much faster.

I do remember that as well as a waging machine and tumble drier we also had a boiler at home that was used, and I think, for sheets and underwear. This was in the 70`s and 80's, I don't think I don't know how normal this was or if it was just another familial eccentricty

 

[twentythreedom]

All I know is apparently German washing machines are more reliable.
Whether they wash better I couldn't say.

Your contribution to the font of all human knowledge is noted

 

[weltweit]

Your contribution to the font of all human knowledge is noted

I like to make a contribution!

 

[twentythreedom]

I like to make a contribution!

We all have a dream

 

[Boudicca]

Put them straight on from dryer? Works for me.

So, a polycotton man with only one set of sheets then?

 

[friendofdorothy]

When our last washing machine broke the guy we called to repair it said it couldn't be fixed as everything inside was fixed with nothing replacable (nice bloke and didn't charge us for saying that). He recommended getting Miele or Bosch as they are repairable and guareetee availablity of parts for so many years when they stop making that model. Miele ridiculously expensive but we got a Bosch not too dear.
It has resonable capacity load and the best bit is it displays how long the wash will take and has 'speed perfect' button that nearly halves that time, so you can put it on 60C cotton wash and it takes 1hr 20m or on a mixed 40c was and it takes 45 mins or a quick wash 30c that takes 15mins. Its great.

I use stain remover stuff on the stains and bio stuff and powder bleach when stains are bad. Beware routinely using Bio stuff on bedding especially all the time - the enzymes build up and it can cause asthma attacks and eczema.

 

[Boudicca]

I'm actually allergic to bio myself friendofdorothy but last time I washed the sheets in non bio you could still see the imprint of the guy who last slept on them .

Yes, I will probably get a Bosch.

 

[spanglechick]

I'd be inclined to send them out to a laundry service, but I am spectacularly lazy.

 

[friendofdorothy]

like this?

I'm actually allergic to bio myself friendofdorothy but last time I washed the sheets in non bio you could still see the imprint of the guy who last slept on them .

oh the joys of laundry.

Think is ok to use Bio now and again - its the build up of emzymes thats bad.

 

[Boudicca]

 

[Artaxerxes]

. No, bleach will yellow them and rot them overtime. Try adding bicarbonate of soda and maybe one of those spiky washing balls that agitates the fabric.

Idk man, some sort of hot wash and chemicals powerful enough to fuck you right up if you touch em.

 

[Boudicca]

Neat bleach on stains does turn white cotton yellow. I was advised to use hydrogen peroxide instead and it does work.

 

[Spymaster]

4 loads of washing at 2 hr 15 minutes a time isn't practical. Hence my interest in commercial machines which magically seem to do the same thing in 40 minutes. But how?

Much more water because of the size of the drum. Internally the drum of a commercial machine can be twice the size or more than a domestic one. To drive the bigger drum you need a more powerful motor, and to run the machine for commercial purposes all the other moving bits need to be stronger. All that combines to enable more water/detergent to get to each washload and allow more vigorous cycles. The main reason will be the greater volume of water with each wash though.

You'd get better washes from your domestic machine by reducing the size of the loads (more water per sheet), but that only solves half your problem. I'd also send them out if I were you!

 

[Boudicca]

Much more water. It's because of the size of the drum. Internally the drum of a commercial machine can be twice the size or more than a domestic one. To drive the bigger drum you need a more powerful motor, and to run the machine for commercial purposes all the other moving bits need to be stronger. All that combines to enable more water/detergent to get to each washload and allow more vigorous cycles. The main reason will be the greater volume of water with each wash though.

You'd get better washes from your domestic machine by reducing the size of the loads (more water per sheet), but that only solves half your problem. I'd also send them out if I were you!

At last, some science, thank you! I will have another look at the 12kg machines, which seems to be the maximum for domestic machines.

(Re sending them out, I only have two rooms and no other work, so I either need to get on with the ironing or get a proper job)

 

[StoneRoad]

Sending out is maybe a good idea. if you can't fit the commercial size washer into the room / space available.
However, you need to make sure that linen sheets are insured.
Friend have a B&B in Whitehaven, and tell me that their laundry "lost" some linens last year for about three weeks (one pair of high quality Egyptian cotton sheets / slips etc was missing for longer than that). There was quite a bit of arguing, but the clincher was that the laundry manager came on a visit and the ownership was proved - images of receipts and tagged items etc. I believe the laundry had a new driver and washhouse supervisor ...

 

[Treacle Toes]

Much more water. It's because of the size of the drum. Internally the drum of a commercial machine can be twice the size or more than a domestic one. To drive the bigger drum you need a more powerful motor, and to run the machine for commercial purposes all the other moving bits need to be stronger. All that combines to enable more water/detergent to get to each washload and allow more vigorous cycles. The main reason will be the greater volume of water with each wash though.

You'd get better washes from your domestic machine by reducing the size of the loads (more water per sheet), but that only solves half your problem. I'd also send them out if I were you!

This makes sense. I have a 8kg drum which is hardly ever full as I live alone. I can use the 1/2 hour wash and everything is clean through and through. I only up the washing time if things are really soiled/stained etc. The 1 hour wash does it every time.

 

[Treacle Toes]

My mum swears by this:

 

[Spymaster]

I can use the 1/2 hour wash and everything is clean through and through. I only up the washing time if things are really soiled/stained etc. The 1 hour wash does it every time.

Yes. The short cycle only fills the chamber with water once, which is fine for smaller loads. Longer cycles fill it twice or more. Commercial machines don't need to do that as they are large enough to get all the required water into the wash the first time.