Washing machines sometimes hold a little bit of water in them. This water sits, becomes sour, and sometimes turns into mildew.  Also, high efficiency (HE) machines sometimes hold water and suds in the gaskets.  This is another reason why is it important to use HE detergents in HE machines.  Too many suds from non-HE detergents can cause build up.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your washing machine.  Some machines even have a special cycle just for cleaning.  Other common ways to clean your machine are by running a wash cycle with bleach or vinegar (with no clothing).

For more tips and debunked laundry myths, see an Exploration of Laundry Myths.

How clean is your your washing machine?

image (c) Karen Weideman

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Myth #1 – More suds mean cleaner clothes.

Fact – More suds do not mean cleaner clothes. In fact, using too much soap can cause keep your clothes from getting clean and it can leave an oily residue on them.

Myth #2 – It’s ok to use regular detergent in an HE (high efficiency) machine.

Fact – You should always use an HE detegent in an HE machine.   Oops. I thought you could just use less until I saw this.

At the Wisk Bubbles & Bubbly event, our scientist Kristin had us perform a little experiment. We put three drops of regular Wisk detergent in one cup of water and three drops of Wisk HE in another cup. We put the lids on a did some shaking. Each time, there were less suds with the HE detergent and the suds dissolved faster! There really is a difference in the two types of detergents. In case you’re wondering, you can use HE detergent in a regular washing machine.

Myth #3 – HE detegents don’t clean as well as other detergents.

Fact – HE detergents clean just as well.  The HE detergents are specially formulated to create less suds, but they have the same cleaning power.

Kristin gave us a grass stain and had us “paint” something on our grass stain using the regular Wisk and the Wisk HE detergents. Then we swished the detergent around in the bucket of water. Taa-daaa. Which is the regular Wisk and which is the Wisk HE? I can’t tell!

Those are the three laundry myths today. And I almost forgot . . . I’m in a Youtube video. Please don’t make fun of my hick sweet country accent.

Did you learn anything new from our laundry myth exploration?

images (c) Karen Weideman

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In reality, much like everything else, doing laundry properly is a learned skill. Compare your method with the one shown in this video. This video covers separating clothes, checking pockets, removing stains, proper loading and drying instructions. You’ll also find tips like using powder vs. liquid detergents.

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My son has had several episodes of throwing up the past week. And I’ve had several sheets to clean up as a result. Cleaning up after someone barfs is entirely an unpleasant task. If I could, I’d just throw the soiled items away. But wash them I must.

I loathe to put these things in the washer as they are. Sure, they will probably get clean in there. But I can’t bear the thought of, ahem, large particles in my washer. So, I hang the sheets as they are out in the sun to dry. Dry half-digested food is less unpleasant than goo. Besides, conventional wisdom says that sun will also help to disinfect the sheets.

When the everything is dried out, I take a brush with rubber bristles and brush away the solid stuff. I use an old rubber broom without a handle for this. Only after this will I put the sheets in the washer, and wash them in hot water (and bleach when possible).

Creative Commons image by That Erum Kid on Flickr

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Even if you don’t sew, this guide could still be of use. If you’re somehow lost the care tags that came with your clothes or home accessory, you might be able to find the instructions on this table. It includes fabric type, washing instructions, pressing temperature and other ironing instructions.

Here’s a snapshot of the first part of the table.

You can see the entire guide here.

via Stitch n Save

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* Cooking to Combat Cancer #2: The Round Up (via Mele Cotte)

* Time Saving Laundry Tips (at Simply Good Stuff)

* Dandelions: If you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em (via North Forty News)

* Large wall tapestries to decorate your home (via Best Syndication)

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