topic Re: Trivial but odd in Community Spirit

Trivial but odd

bright.ton42 — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 00:34:58 GMT

I did a full load of washing...in cold water.......bedding and towels, then hung them on the line.

They dried spotless.

Only later did I realize that I hadn't added detergent.!

Admittedly they hadn't been badly soiled, but....

How can this be? Just washing in cold water.

Any laundry scientists out there?

Re: Trivial but odd

springyzone — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 01:27:30 GMT

I'm not your scientist.

But while we're waiting, I can tell you a bit about what i have read.

Apparently the soap or detergent acts on fabrics to help release stains and dirt. Something to do with molecules but don't ask me what exactly. But it is just a helper, making it easier for the dirt to escape. The water & agitation does the rest.

I think myself that it is the scents that are often added to detergents/soaps/shampoos that make as much of an impression on people as the actual clean.

No reason why your sheets and towels wouldn't have had any light soiling removed in a cold water wash but for stains you might find something extra helps.

That's my take on it.

Re: Trivial but odd

countessalmirena — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 01:27:25 GMT

Some cleaning can be done with just water. (Water-soluble stains.)

There may also be some powder / laundry liquid residue in your machine, just enough to help.

(In general, people use more washing powder/liquid than they need.)

Re: Trivial but odd

domino-710 — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 01:36:03 GMT

Re: Trivial but odd

lyhargr_0 — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 02:47:12 GMT

@domino-710 wrote:

Same here, it breeds in my laundry basket

Re: Trivial but odd

zanadoo_56 — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 05:30:39 GMT

I use half (sometimes less) of the recommended amount of washing powder recommended. Everything cleans just fine.

Re: Trivial but odd

springyzone — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 11:05:02 GMT

I've noticed an amazing thing. Since my children have left home, washing is a breeze. Ironing never builds up or if it does, it is the work of 15 minutes, not 1 or 2 hours.

And as for washing powder. I changed over to a front loader several years ago & was warned not to overdo the laundry powder and I find I only buy one packet every few months now.

When the kids were at home, it was more like a pack a week or fortnight if I could stretch it. And every towel seemed to get one use and then thrown in the wash.

Nice if you have someone else doing it, I suppose.

They don't seem to be so fussy in their own homes, I have noticed!

Re: Trivial but odd

chameleon54 — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 13:14:50 GMT

@springyzone wrote:
I've noticed an amazing thing. Since my children have left home, washing is a breeze. Ironing never builds up or if it does, it is the work of 15 minutes, not 1 or 2 hours.
And as for washing powder. I changed over to a front loader several years ago & was warned not to overdo the laundry powder and I find I only buy one packet every few months now.
When the kids were at home, it was more like a pack a week or fortnight if I could stretch it. And every towel seemed to get one use and then thrown in the wash.
Nice if you have someone else doing it, I suppose.
They don't seem to be so fussy in their own homes, I have noticed!

About to find out. Moved my son and his partner into their own little shack today. My 75 mum came around to wish them well and brought a few towels with her as a gift. They where wedding presents given to her over 50 years ago. She had folded them a particular way and put them in a high cupboard in her holiday house. Family and friends have been coming and going from that place for decades, but mum swears the towels are still folded exactly as she left them so years ago. She is certain they have never been used.

We then had to explain to the lads partner with tatoos down her neck and piercings in places that make your eyes water that these where from Nans glory box for her glory box. Whats a glory box ???

Just one of those funny little things that happen in life sometimes.

Re: Trivial but odd

janeababe — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 20:50:46 GMT

I’m guessing it’s the chlorine in the water. I know sometimes when I turn my taps on, I can smell the chlorine additive. Phew! I don’t particularly like it, but chlorine will remove stains but will also fade coloured clothing over time.

I make my own laundry powder, but I might give a cold wash no soap load a go and check out the results.

Your results has intrigued me 😀

imagine the money we would save 👍🏻

Re: Trivial but odd

martinw-48 — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 22:15:06 GMT

Would probably work once.
Most likely there was residual detergent.
Detergent makes dirt soluble by surrounding the particles aiding there release from material.
There is always some residual detergent this is why you can smell it in the dry material.
Once all residual detergent is removed then the dirt would remain in a water only cycle

Re: Trivial but odd

lyndal1838 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 02:21:20 GMT

@chameleon54 wrote:
@springyzone wrote:
I've noticed an amazing thing. Since my children have left home, washing is a breeze. Ironing never builds up or if it does, it is the work of 15 minutes, not 1 or 2 hours.
And as for washing powder. I changed over to a front loader several years ago & was warned not to overdo the laundry powder and I find I only buy one packet every few months now.
When the kids were at home, it was more like a pack a week or fortnight if I could stretch it. And every towel seemed to get one use and then thrown in the wash.
Nice if you have someone else doing it, I suppose.
They don't seem to be so fussy in their own homes, I have noticed!
About to find out. Moved my son and his partner into their own little shack today. My 75 mum came around to wish them well and brought a few towels with her as a gift. They where wedding presents given to her over 50 years ago. She had folded them a particular way and put them in a high cupboard in her holiday house. Family and friends have been coming and going from that place for decades, but mum swears the towels are still folded exactly as she left them so years ago. She is certain they have never been used.

We then had to explain to the lads partner with tatoos down her neck and piercings in places that make your eyes water that these where from Nans glory box for her glory box. Whats a glory box ???

Just one of those funny little things that happen in life sometimes.

I can do better than that. In 1965 I was given a pile of linen teatowels from my Mother's Glory Box.....she was married in January 1939. They were beautifully embroidered and some had crocheted edges done my my grandmother.

I did have a large supply of teatowels but most of Mum's stash is still going strong....after 80 years.

I also have some towels that were Navy issue between 1963 and 1973. They are well worn now but not yet ready for the ragbag....maybe they might be donated to the animals in the family. After 46+ years they don't owe me anything....I think the bath towels cost me $1.50 and the bath sheets were $2.00

Re: Trivial but odd

eol-products — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 03:45:38 GMT

I think the fact it is bedding and towels may have helped. Underwear or outdoor work clothes may be a different story.

Re: Trivial but odd

bright.ton42 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 05:06:17 GMT

@janeababe wrote:
I’m guessing it’s the chlorine in the water. I know sometimes when I turn my taps on, I can smell the chlorine additive. Phew! I don’t particularly like it, but chlorine will remove stains but will also fade coloured clothing over time.

I make my own laundry powder, but I might give a cold wash no soap load a go and check out the results.
Your results has intrigued me 😀

imagine the money we would save 👍🏻

It's an interesting one and some helpful responses here. I must say that I had given a couple of light stains a squirt of stain remover though. I don't think there was any residual detergent in the holder and you could ceertainly be right about the chlorine in the water.

One thng's for sure, in future I'll use a lot less detergent. though will use it as I like the scent.

Re: Trivial but odd

domino-710 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 05:13:50 GMT

LOL - there we were - all about to give up the detergent - and - you ' cheated '.

Just an aside - I was given - Shannon Lush - she says to use - from memory - 1/8 of the suggested amount of detergent in the wash.

Especially in front loaders.

Re: Trivial but odd

janeababe — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 05:17:42 GMT

Ok... so before I went to work this morning, I put a load on. No powder, nothing. Just cold water (I should add, I NEVER wash in cold water)

also, my washing machine is under 6mths old, so I doubt there would be much powder residue in it yet..

anyway, I had a noticeable spag bol stain on a shirt from dinner last night. It’s still there but it’s not as bad as it was when I put it in the machine. I reckon another wash just might remove it.

I must say, I was rather impressed. The rest of the small wash appears to be clean.

Its all on the clothes line now. I’ll see what difference the sun does to the stain, if anything....

Anyway... I guess the scientists will turn up soon with all their maths. 😄😄 and sense lol.

its all good for a laugh, and gawd knows, I needed one.

Cheers 😄

xxj

@bright.ton42 wrote:

I did a full load of washing...in cold water.......bedding and towels, then hung them on the line.

They dried spotless.

Only later did I realize that I hadn't added detergent.!

Admittedly they hadn't been badly soiled, but....

How can this be? Just washing in cold water.

Any laundry scientists out there?

Re: Trivial but odd

domino-710 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 05:26:16 GMT

Here you go possum :

No more worries.

Re: Trivial but odd

bright.ton42 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 05:33:38 GMT

@domino-710 wrote:
LOL - there we were - all about to give up the detergent - and - you ' cheated '.

Just an aside - I was given - Shannon Lush - she says to use - from memory - 1/8 of the suggested amount of detergent in the wash.

Especially in front loaders.

Haha..... sorry. But if it makes you feel better i only used the stain remover on a couple of muddy dog paws on the sheet (let's not go there ) the rest of the wash was, well, dingy, particularly a towel I'd used to wipe up kitchen food stains.. Came out spotless.

I think Shannon Lush is great. .

Re: Trivial but odd

domino-710 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 05:55:06 GMT

I think it is not a matter of the residue left in the washer.

But the residue left in the fabric.

I suppose it depends on the rinse cycle & how good it is.

I'm not getting in there to check while rinsing - oh - I always wash in cold.

Most clothes we wear - are only on for a short while - here they end up on the ' floordrobe '.

Even clean ones - so cold does the trick.

Re: Trivial but odd

martinw-48 — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 06:24:28 GMT

That's what I meant when I said residual detergent.
In the fabric

Re: Trivial but odd

domino-710 — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 04:23:12 GMT

OK Bright - and any other Bright Spark.

I have Christmas in July tomorrow.

I have been saving a sweater a friend brought back from Norway - for just said occasion.

The problem is - how do I launder it after wearing - it's all batteries & lights. lol