[Christianne]

I’ll have to make use those little bottles of dishwasher cleaner I’ve been collecting !

[Christianne]

Thanks. I was a bit concerned that the different enzymes might fight and neutralise one another or that the “surfactants” might be incompatible.

[Christianne]

kwatt wrote:So long as you don’t overload as if you do, it can be a problem.
K.

I had a fear the drum might do a few turns (making any powder in the drum fall through the holes) and then do a mini flush to get rid of any stale water (along with any washing powder).

Am I being too imaginative? 🙂

[Christianne]

I believe in America some machines have a prewash detergent compartment. Others there have an indentation on the detergent-retaining flap to sprinkle and measure prewash detergent.

Here is someone making a reference to it: “Use the pre wash section of your dishwasher, it helps to wash your dishes more effectively. I didn’t know this, so I thought you all should too.” https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/khtvxv/use_the_pre_wash_section_of_your_dishwasher_it/

[Christianne]

Thank you. I can easily see using washing up liquid in the dishwasher is daft but thought (low sudsing) Persil powder might not be so bad.

I was going to throw in half a teaspoon where the dishes go to make it get used in the prewash.

[Christianne]

[USER=”19014″]andyjawa[/USER] Thank you for the trouble you have taken to reply. It’s much appreciated.

I wash mostly at 40C although I wish my machine had 50C. After your info I won’t worry so much about the quantity of detergent as it doesn’t seem to be the biggest factor.

I’ll increase the frequency of maintence doses. I prefer to use 400g soda crystals rather than Arial or Persil as detergent foams up out of the machine at 90C whatever amount I use. I also use 250g citric acid at 90C in a separate maintenance wash to keep scale away. Is this best done before or after the soda crystals?

My guess is afterwards as it’s better to first remove any gunk but, on the other hand, there may be scale protecting gunk and holding it in place but I’m guessing as I can’t picture it properly. What’s your view?

[Christianne]

andyjawa wrote:I will tell you what I do and a few ins and outs which I will keep simple ( because if you delved into all this it really isn`t! ).

[USER=”19014″]andyjawa[/USER] What a great reply. Thank you for all those points. I’m familiar with the usual advice given here about perventing resdidues and smells with mainteneance washes but here I am wondering about the correct dose of detergent.

My inclination is to put more in than less (more would stop undissolved dirt sticking to the inside of the machine). I was mainly worried that regularly using too much detergent would cause a build up, not of dirt but detergent.

You’re explained temperature is the main factor. I can’t wash most laundry higher than 40 degrees but can incvrease the frequency of maintence washes. I’m still not entirely clear if a high temperature works better because it

(a) kills smelly bacteria
(b) disolves dirt from clothes
(c) dissolves detergent.

Maybe there’s no simple answer!

[Author]

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