How do you use and care for your washing machine and dishwasher? Detergent, stain remover, cleaning schedule, etc?

paperpaper on 03/12/2018 - 04:01
Last edited 03/12/2018 - 04:01

I think it'd be interesting to hear how my fellow penny-pinchers get the most out of their appliances for the least.

I switched from using tablets/pods in my dishwasher to using powder, the tablets/pods are way too strong for my needs and powder is cheaper. I heard using the tablets/pods in a small dishwasher can actually damage it from being too soapy but who knows.

And of course I use less than "recommended" amount of laundry detergent and whatever is the cheapest stain remover from Colesworth (if needed). For cleaning I use a commercial cleaner about every two months and do a quick clean of the seals and such whenever needed.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Nugs on 03/12/2018 - 06:18

    dishwasher gets a finish clean cycle every 6 weeks (4 weeks recommendation on pack). drawers move effortlessly afterwards, so 'maybe' it is cleaning other bits too.
    they are regularly 3.50 per item.
    https://shop.coles.com.au/a/a-sa-metro-churchill-centre/prod…
    .

    • serpserpserp on 03/12/2018 - 07:52

      I literally just fish stuff out of the bottom of my dishwasher if it gets clogged. what is to clean if I use it every day? Sometimes twice a day?

      • airzone on 03/12/2018 - 13:13

        Scale and grease build-ups

        • Euphemistic on 03/12/2018 - 22:05

          Do you have evidence this scale and trade buildup affect the operation of a dishwasher? I’ve had one for years used almost daily and never used a dishwasher cleaner, just clean the filter/trap regularly and occasionally wipe the seals down.

          I reckon dishwasher cleaner is a dirt from the manufacturers to make us buy stuff we don’t really need.

          Edit: https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/dishwasher…

          According to choice running it while empty or with vinegar is enough to clean it out, assuming you don’t otherwise maintain it.

  • serpserpserp on 03/12/2018 - 07:53

    Washing machine really needs to be paid attention to on seals. Front loaders get mouldy within the first couple of years if you constantly use them and ignore the seals. I think my machine is particularly bad as the seals kind of gather water.

    • John Kimble on 03/12/2018 - 09:34

      What do you do to maintain the seals?

      • garetz on 03/12/2018 - 09:43

        Use baking soda/vinegar every 2-3 months. Then do a no clothes rinse wash.

        I only use it 2-3 times a week, if i was using it daily with multi washes i would propably do the above monthly.

        • John Kimble on 03/12/2018 - 11:02

          Sorry, still confused. Do you mean wipe the seals with the baking soda/ vinegar solution?

          • garetz on 03/12/2018 - 11:04
            +1

            @John Kimble: Yes, its not a solution, you add the baking powder first, then the vinegar, which creates a reaction, its a pretty common cleaning method with natural ingredients. Then you use a bristle brush to clean the surface area.

    • Kandrew on 03/12/2018 - 15:35

      Are you talking about the bellows around the front door opening? They also gather dirt. They also take up 'valuable' space when trying to get items into and out of the machine.

      Better buy an Asko - it doesn't have the bellows. It just creates a seal. I thought that it was marketing hype when I first saw it 20+ years ago, but I've never had to clean any bellows since owning the Asko.

      On other brands - no names mentioned - I was constantly cleaning those silly things.

      • serpserpserp on 03/12/2018 - 18:44

        It isn't on the front door itself, it is the rubber lining where the door press against the machine (could be called bellows idk).

        They just get super mouldy, I think mine are too far gone and need a replacement. (this is a 10kg Samsung FL from about 8-9 years ago)

    • JimB on 18/12/2018 - 17:04

      I leave the door open, never had any mould issues on seals.

  • Godric on 03/12/2018 - 08:10
    -2

    My way of caring for the appliance is by avoiding it overall

  • hawkeye on 03/12/2018 - 08:40
    +1

    A true tightass would run citric acid and maybe a surfactant as well instead of buying finish cleaner because that's what finish is only 20x the price.
    Washing machine F/L LG remove the pump bung leave door open and remove soap tray until next use absolute no water microbes can breed mold and other nasties.
    Detergent use wool wash for colours so the machine is only exposed to powders with whites.

  • altomic on 03/12/2018 - 09:42
    +6

    Don't use fabric softener. I'm a hobbyist F/L repairer. the amount of build up of crud from fabric softener can be significant. I was given a 2 year old machine that was "broken". It was just superclogged with fabric softener. Running some bleach through the machine on a hot cycle cleared it out.

    • Kandrew on 03/12/2018 - 15:38
      +1

      Fabric softener is also not good for your clothes/towels/whatever goes into the washing machine. It may make them "feel nice", but it shortens the life of the garment.

  • John Kimble on 03/12/2018 - 11:06
    +1

    Slight hijack, I have only switched to a front loader for a short time; recently I tried washing some towels on 90 Celsius and it foamed up and overflowed. Is there a trick to using 90C? 60C and below seems fine. I always use half a cap or less of liquid detergent even on standard 40C cycles and it is fine…should I use even less for 90C? Would that make a difference? Or is 90C overkill and not worth it?

    • altomic on 03/12/2018 - 11:39
      +1

      90C is overkill and not worth it

      a significant % of electricity for the wash cycle would be used in heating the water

      hot water can also shrink or wrinkle synthetic fabrics.

      hot water can also set in certain stains - eg. protein stains (blood, sweat)

      personally, I never use hot water in my front loader. if I have stained clothing then I'll pre-soak in "napi-san" (well, the aldi alternative).

      • John Kimble on 03/12/2018 - 11:46

        Yes, I usually stick with 40C for everything. Just thought 90C for towels every now and then would be good.

        I wonder what 90C is meant to be used/designed for then???

        • hawkeye on 03/12/2018 - 13:09
          -1

          Shit stained nappies?
          Grandpas shit stained undies?
          For when you get older?

        • serpserpserp on 03/12/2018 - 14:13

          Supposed to be for dustmites.

          • altomic on 03/12/2018 - 15:09

            @serpserpserp: for dustmites I place the item in a black bag, which is then placed inside a much larger transparent bag (which is then sealed) then placed in the sun to heat up. greenhouse effect.

    • Kandrew on 03/12/2018 - 15:43

      Are you using a washing detergent specifically marked as suitable for front load machines? If not, you should be.

      They are designed to be less sudsy. Suds don't clean - anything. In fact, as you probably discovered, they may well hinder the cleaning process by filling the machine with the suds and therefore not allowing the items in the machine to move freely. Front loaders work on the principle of breaking the surface tension of the water. If the items can't move freely, they can't break that surface tension and therefore your items will not get cleaned properly.

      • John Kimble on 03/12/2018 - 15:49

        I'm using liquid detergent that claims is top and front loader compatible?

        • Kandrew on 03/12/2018 - 17:00

          My guess is that the brand is trying to be cheap. Cheap by not producing a specific product for front loading machines. Personally, I wouldn't use it. I would go for one which is specifically front loader only.

          I don't know the brand, and I don't need to know. The above is just my observation over quite a number of years using front loader washing machines.

      • paperpaper on 04/12/2018 - 01:42

        Some top loaders also require low-suds detergent now or else you can damage it.

  • TheRealCher on 04/12/2018 - 08:49

    I put the lotion in the basket and it gets the hose

  • savage bargain on 04/12/2018 - 11:17
    +1
    • Dishwasher: Wipe seals and wash filters once a fortnight, descale once a month (it gets used more than once a day with young kids)
    • Washing machine: Descale once a month, clean pump filter bimonthly.
    • Coffee machine: Descale and clean inside whenever descale prompt comes on as we'd be mortified if it died. Milk parts washed after every use.
    • Microwave: Quick wipe after anytime we have a sink of soapy water.
    • Toaster: Once a week try to get as much crumbs out as possible and wipe down.
    • Kettle: Descale once a month.
    • Oven: Quick wipe down whenever we have a sink of soapy water; proper clean once a year (the quick wipe down keeps it good enough to delay decent cleans).
    • Rangehood: Hot wash filters with hygiene rinse in dishwasher as well as wipe down bimonthly.
    • Fridge/Freezer: Wipe whenever we see anything so haven't had to do anything more thorough yet.
    • Stove: Wipe after each use. Hasn't needed anything more thorough yet.
    • BBQ: Scrape plates down while hot. Wipe outside down when cleaning up after dinner. Once a year take plates out and clean underneath with hot soapy water.

    We buy a concentrated descaler (Trinature) that lasts ages to cover the appliances that need descaling. Quickly wiping most things down after each use helps save effort in cleaning build up down the track.

    • Euphemistic on 09/12/2018 - 07:25
      +1

      I’m surprised you’ve got time to ozbargain with all that maintenance

  • movieman on 10/12/2018 - 18:01

    Well done!

    • paperpaper on 06/01/2019 - 21:56

      A lot of people don't even know they're meant to clean their washing machine…

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