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I have medical problem were I’m highly sensitive to chemicals e.g. smells from detergents, clothes, paint etc.
I order to deal with my laundry problems I started using soap nuts, Ecover etc. The machine I had at the time was a zanussi zwg1120. Due to the use of soap nuts, ecover etc people on here told me bacterial problems occurred due to these weak detergents. I tried everything but couldn’t fix the machine and am now out to buy a new one.
People recommended the very expensive machines however I can’t afford them. In addition to that I cannot use bio powders and it seems that soap nuts, ecover etc are the only things that I don’t react to.
1) This being the case if I buy a machine will I get the same problem in a month or two? If so is there anything I can do to prevent any problems form occurring? For example if I do weekly maintenance washes with vinegar or maybe bio detergent, will that be enough? Can you recommend anything?
2) I would like to buy the cheaper machines e.g. beko, logic and things like that. I really don’t have the money so will these be accpetable? If the problems start in two months that’s a problem but if the machine last me 1 year that’s ok.
Basically I need a cheap machine where I can use ecover, soap nuts, ‘possibly’ non-bio persil etc. At the same time maybe I can do some maintenance to ensure problems start. Can anybody recommend a cheap machine and what sort of maintenance I should do bearing in mind the detergents I want to use. Can you recommend any other better detergents?
3) Also, I can probably find a used bosch for £100 or so, would you recommend buying a used machine in my situation? Do you think I’m better of renting a machine and returning if bacterial problems start?
Please let me know.
Many thanks.
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
I’ll be blunt. Possibly what may appear cruel.
If you have a medical condition that severe then you require specialist advice from an MD and it really is beyond my or anyone else’s remit to try to assist you.
Using vinegar for maintenance is like a band aid on a bullet wound as I like to say, utterly ineffectual despite the anecdotal evidence as, there’s not a single shred of proper scientific evidence to back up many (most, all) of the claims made about it.
Ditto soap nuts. Not a single shred of credible evidence that they even clean.
Using them, it wouldn’t matter one jot what machine you used as they are utterly ineffectual unless someone can produce credible evidence to the contrary. Thus far, I have seen none at all.
Given this, it’s okay for you to be wearing all the accumulated dirt, grease and so on but, some trace chemicals that are present in a degree of parts per million on clothing is not okay?
Which is why I would strongly urge you to seek medical advice as my logic and understanding of washing machines along with detergent which is way greater than many people would dictate that the problem is not with the washing process or detergent.
What I can tell you with no reservation is that, if you do have a skin condition that irrespective of what machine you use or detergent, if you don’t do things to the letter then it is entirely possible or even likely that you will have issue.
I hope that helps, even if it is harsh.
K.
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Actually I am already seeing a doctor and my question was not a medical one. As regards to what my diagnoses is, what I experiencing(btw it is not reacting to trace elements and it is not like you say) etc, that is a medical matter and not something I’m asking or discussing here.
Put simply, I know how to manage my condition and it’s simply a case of wearing what I can by using an appropriate detergent e.g. ecover, soap nuts, non-bio persil is manageable.
However my question is about buying and maintaining a washing machine so as to prevent future bacterial overgrowth etc bearing in mind that I want to use the aforementioned or similar non-bio perfume free detergents. Hence I would be very grateful if somebody could kindly answer the following.
1)If soap nuts won’t clean at all, what about other non-bio non-perfume alternatives? are there any which are demonstrated to work?
2)If I do use this rubbish detergents, what practical things can I do to ensure the machine doesn’t develop problems like my previous machine. Will a monthly bio detergent wash be sufficient. Any suggestions on what I can do?
3)Are the cheap machines machines going to be ok provided I follow recommendations in 2.
4)I would prefer a cheap machine so would a used machine from the shop be likely to be free of bacterial problems? Would renting be a better idea.As you can see I’m only concerned with using specific deteregents and ensuring the machine doesn’t develop problems later. My last machine had severe problems which is why I am worried but maybe it’s because it was a zanussi zwg1120 and I hadn’t been doing maintenance cycles. By the time I noticed the problem perhaps it was too big?
Please advise.
Thanks
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Chlorinated wrote:1)If soap nuts won’t clean at all, what about other non-bio non-perfume alternatives? are there any which are demonstrated to work?
2)If I do use this rubbish detergents, what practical things can I do to ensure the machine doesn’t develop problems like my previous machine. Will a monthly bio detergent wash be sufficient. Any suggestions on what I can do?
3)Are the cheap machines machines going to be ok provided I follow recommendations in 2.
4)I would prefer a cheap machine so would a used machine from the shop be likely to be free of bacterial problems? Would renting be a better idea.Back in February this year you were fighting the grey sludge, now it’s soap nuts and should I rent a machine? Your questions appear so inane therefore please forgive me for thinking that all this stuff is just a wind up?
washing-machine-forum/what-this-dirt-and-why-does-keep-reapearing-t81486.html#p396060Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
What you are asking strikes me as how to use a modern washing machine for a purpose or, in a way, that it was never intended for. At best that is going to be difficult.
Any cheap machine will have a polycarbonate or plastic outer tank and they seem more prone to the sort of symptoms that you have experienced and have had issue with so, I’d say straight out the traps that this was probably not a good plan.
Even machines with stainless tank can and will suffer from this eventually, albeit they are far less prone to it and in normal use most people would never have a problem.
But, in every instance there will be a pattern of bleach free washing, either through using solely liquids, colour powders or some sort of holistic or whatever “cure” like soapnuts or ecoballs.
Regular maintenance washes (far more regular) may well keep it at bay but for how long and how well is a huge unknown which in turn makes the frequency required an unknown also. Aside from which doing that seems very wasteful.
All manufacturers, be it detergent or appliances, make them to suit most people most of the time. They do not make for tiny minorities or for specific needs like this I’m afraid.
I get the impression that what you need is extremely specific for a very specialist purpose and I am not aware of any normal domestic product that will meet the requirements. Hence the advice to seek specialist advice for your particular needs.
K.
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Chlorinated wrote:Actually I am already seeing a doctor and my question was not a medical one. As regards to what my diagnoses is, what I experiencing(btw it is not reacting to trace elements and it is not like you say) etc, that is a medical matter and not something I’m asking or discussing here.
Perhaps ‘chlorinated’ might be interested in reading THIS article from yesterday’s Daily Mail?
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Martin wrote:Perhaps ‘chlorinated’ might be interested in reading THIS article from yesterday’s Daily Mail?
Expensive. Actually I need to look into it but I’m just wondering how would it move things from the surface and would it also remove detergents from the surface of clothes. In such a case that would be a perfect solution but can it reall moves chemicals/detergent from the surface as well as mold etc. I guess repeat rinsing alone doesn’t move chemical from the surface?
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
kwatt wrote:
But, in every instance there will be a pattern of bleach free washing, either through using solely liquids, colour powders or some sort of holistic or whatever “cure” like soapnuts or ecoballs.I had been researching some alternatives to soap nuts and ecover and came somebody mentioned ecoballs and said they never had any problems with their machine.
The options I am currently seeing are:
ecoballs.
washing sado aka soda crystals.
waitrose sensitive washing.1. Would you say these are all likely to fail as well? Will the soda crystals not be effective? I asked on another forum and some people seem to have been using these without problems. Maybe it was the soap nuts and my cheap machine, maybe not.
Somebody also told me you can get ‘chlorine free’ bleach and add that to the wash. Would such a product solve my bleaching problems or do I need a chlorine based bleach? If I need a chlorine based bleach can I put some in normal bleach with the above detergents and will that do it? If yes will the bleach be completely rinse because the last things I need is bleach permeating my home which will cause even more problems.
Thanks
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Okay so, we get smelly washing machine issues due to the lack of bleach primarily through people using non-bleach containing detergent. Couple that with low temperature (<=40?C consistently) and it's a train wreck.
Smell caused by bacteriological build up, i.e. pretty much unsanitary conditions. Mould, if you research it, is bacteria. The smell is normally a by-product of bacteriological build up.
If I recall, chlorine free bleach does not disinfect at all so, you may as well just tell those naughty bacteria to go away, put the laundry in and forget about adding any. You may as well save the cost of it for all the good it’ll do.
All the time, that bacteria will build in your machine and on your laundry and, you won’t even kill low level stuff that can make you unwell.
In practical terms, you are talking here about “solutions” that have no bleach element whatsoever or not as it would be generally perceived and, therefore, no disinfecting either.
What do you think will happen?
It is common sense really once you have enough information which, if you’ve researched it, you should have.
Meanwhile, trying not to be too unkind or harsh, most people around you will just think you have a personal hygiene problem and you need to shower more. Perhaps even think you are prone to colds or other ailments so you’re a bit fragile.
It’s your call though on taking the advice or not, do as you will.
K.
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Given my situation, I suppose I cant have everything. As regard to bacteria on clothes surely the washing soda will go someway right? I think baking soda can be used to kill things like mold.
As regards to the machine, maybe I can do a bi weekly bleach servive wash or maybe add a little normal bleach with the my detergents? Will that be work. If yes will the bleach be completely rinse because the last things I need is bleach permeating my home which will cause even more problems.
Thanks
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
I think you’re stressing over something that is largely irrelevant.
What does your research tell you about all the baking soda and other tripe you’ve obviously read wherever?
What’s likely to cause you more harm… a little bleach or, a pile of bacteria?
As for “bleach permeating my home”, seriously? How is it going to get out of the machine and invade your home? Do you not think that just a tad melodramatic?
Unless of course you want to return to the good old Victorian Era with TB, Cholera, influenza and God knows what else.
Personally, I’ll take my chances with the little bit of bleach in the laundry. What you choose to do is entirely up to you.
K.
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
haha actually when I was trying to clean my last machine I put 2 litres of bleach in and serviced wash it. this permeated the home and put me in stiches causing a big relapse in my illness. that is why im so cautious.
so I suppose you think I should just put some bleach into the wash or do a weekly bleach service wash? which do you recommend and how much should I use?
thanks
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Chlorinated wrote:haha actually when I was trying to clean my last machine I put 2 litres of bleach in and serviced wash it. this permeated the home and put me in stiches causing a big relapse in my illness. that is why im so cautious.
You used 4 litres (7 pints….wow!) in your old Zanussi
Chlorinated wrote:I have just been to see my doctor regarding my chemical sensitivities and the topic of my washing machine came up. I told her how I inhaled a lot of fumes after putting 4 litres of bleach into the washer, leaving it overnight and washing it the next day. She said that at that dosage and overnight, any bacteria in the machine would have been killed by direct contact or even contact with bleach fumes.
Dermatological issues
Old sludged up machine
Used soap nuts, Ecover even
Considering using Eco Balls
Thrown huge quantities of bleach in machine
Skin so damaged it split and needed stitches…..Has your GP not referred you to see a Dermatologist? Persisting in this pointless effort trying to resolve your sludged up machine and your skin problems getting worse all the while is getting you nowhere. The advice given to you in this forum has has been largely ignored. These are the facts so far anyway. 🙁
Re: What to buy and how to maintain in my situation?
Chlorinated wrote:so I suppose you think I should just put some bleach into the wash or do a weekly bleach service wash? which do you recommend and how much should I use?
http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/clea … -wash.html
K.
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