which setting do you use for front loader? [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

View Full Version : which setting do you use for front loader?

borntobemummy

01-07-2007, 19:08

My stash consists of mainly BBBs and we just got a new front loader, which setting would be best? and most economical? I just washed a load of nappies on cotton wash, 800rpm and time saver, they came out great! They even smell nice!!! (for the first time after a wash)

Just wandering if there is a better option. Also, which powder should I use and how much? ATM we are using the Coles brand powder.

TIA

borntobemummy

01-07-2007, 19:12

forgot to mention, I did it on cold and it took out all the stains too:thumbsup: !!:eek:

OJandMe

01-07-2007, 19:18

that's what I usually wash mine on too :) but with an extra rise as well.

Tonight I washed them on the Quick 30 (as I had a pretty poo-ey day, so had them all soaking in HOT HOT water while the boys were in the bath)
with an extra rinse.

I use the Aldi brand sensitive detergent, I use about.. oh... maybe a 3/4 a tablespoon. It says its ok for frontloaders.. and all my nappies smell gorgeous!:thumbsup: and have no stains whatsoever.. and I wash on cold too

(but I ALWAYS rinse pooey nappies straight away, so they don't have any marks on them going into the wash)

borntobemummy

01-07-2007, 19:21

I wanted to use the quick 30 one but the manual said you can only do it on a 2kg load? does that sound right?

OJandMe

01-07-2007, 19:25

U must have the same washing machine as me!!

I don't know... lol. I know it says that... but I figured I'd try it anyway... and it doesn't seem to have made a difference.

I know that with our old machine (top loader) it was a 5 kg machine and my days worth of nappies was only a small/med load...

so I'm guessing it was around 2-3 kgs.

I did a load of towels on quick30 yesterday and they were all good too...

I suppose it depends how many nappies you've got! I don't think that one nappy pail full would be more than 2-3 kgs...

gremily

02-07-2007, 08:20

Best to wash them on a longer cycle. I just do it on my coloureds setting. You can wash on cold (I do this majority of the time) or on warm/hot.

Look for a sensitive detergent, no enzymes. I use Planet Ark/Aware as it's also biodegradable, made from natural ingredients, and I only have to use 1 dsp (recommended 2 dsp, but I use 1dsp for everything). It costs about $7 but I get over 100 washes from that.

Others people like Amolin which is a liquid detergent.

Don't worry too much about stains as it's the sun that will do all the work at getting them out.

If you work by the rule that you need 2 of these three things: Heat, Detergent, Sunlight - then you'll be fine. So, if you're not hanging them outside then wash them in hot with detergent. If you are hanging them outside then a cold wash will suffice. At least a small amount of detergent is best, but you can get away without using any sometimes.

Sunlight has been proven in a recent study to be better at sanitising than nappy soaks (ie Napisan), and that doesn't just mean when there's a burning sun out but even when it's overcast as it's the UV rays that do all the work.

gremily

02-07-2007, 08:23

gremily

02-07-2007, 08:25

Nappies (and clothes for that matter) don't need to be fragranced to be clean either. Just because something smells nice doesn't mean it's clean. Plus, heavily fragranced detergents can be a cause of skin irritations, especially in those with sensitive skin.

borntobemummy

02-07-2007, 16:23

Try not to overload your FL either. I've just had mine fixed ($380:( ). One thing the repairman said is this happens with just about every FL due to overloading which isn't good for the bearings. So, it's best to be safe and don't stuff the bowl too full!
While the clothes/nappies won't feel too heavy to start with it's when they're wet that they'll be at their heaviest and weigh the bowl down.

thanks for the tip:thumbsup: the guy at the shop said that you CAN stuff them full unlike top loaders:confused: so that's good to know of your experience, is there a rule of thumb of how high to fill it?

oliolioli

02-07-2007, 17:59

Others people like Amolin which is a liquid detergent.

Nooooo stay away from Amolin for nappies!!!

It has caused major dramas for our Bumgenius nappies, essentially waterproofing them so no wee was absorbed... since switching to Omo the problem has been solved. But I dont like Omo so we will be using Planet Ark aware from tomorrow, as it has had a few recommendations...

Cherry

gremily

02-07-2007, 20:03

thanks for the tip:thumbsup: the guy at the shop said that you CAN stuff them full unlike top loaders:confused: so that's good to know of your experience, is there a rule of thumb of how high to fill it?

I've started only 1/2 filling mine. I was stuffing mine full to the brim so it's quite a change!

Nooooo stay away from Amolin for nappies!!!

It has caused major dramas for our Bumgenius nappies, essentially waterproofing them so no wee was absorbed... since switching to Omo the problem has been solved. But I dont like Omo so we will be using Planet Ark aware from tomorrow, as it has had a few recommendations...

Cherry

That's really interesting..... I've never used Amolin but it would be one of the most recommended I've seen here (besides Planet Ark).

gypsy72

02-07-2007, 20:16

I use Oma Matic or Oma Matic sensitve. I usually use the 40 degree wash for the general everyday stuff it takes about 1 hr 20mins.

I had a repairguy come and have at look at my machine before warranty ran out. He told me the following:
1. Never use liquid detergent. Especially if you do cold washes as it doesn't disolve liquid properly and it gets gunked up just past the dispenser which can lead to leaking.
2. Don't overfill with clothes. My brand FL specifies how many kilos of clothes for each cycle in the instructions.
3. Only use half the detergent they recommend.

For example: My packet says use 1 scoop. the repair guy said for clothes that are only slightly soiled (eg.business shirts )can be washed with a 1/3 scoop.