Washing clothes and dog beds.

[Boogie]

I have one of these, which is great for keeping dog hairs out of the machine.

But my washing never smelled clean and I was using more and more fabric conditioner. I started looking into getting another washer - one for the dogs and one for us, but that seemed a bit extreme.

Then I resorted to you tube. My machine wasn’t clean - I took out the detergent dispenser and yuk - it was all gunked up. I followed the instructions. Bi-carb on the hottest wash, then white vinegar on the hottest wash then cleaning all the gunk off with a toothbrush and white vinegar + cleaning the seal.

Hurrah! Sweet smelling washing again and a big plumbing job saved!

I don’t hang clothes out from September onwards as I hate re-hanging inside and it’s far too damp round here to get it completely dry outside. We got rid of our dryer when we retired, to save money - which saves £20 a month! But I do have an electric clothes horse which takes very little electricity and airs clothes really well.

Boring subject but a daily activity round here as we both frequent the gym and have lots of washing. I wash all the dog beds and Vet beds once a week.

 

[SteffiS]

I have one of those wash bags as well. I find the machine keeps clean but dog hairs seem to stick to the reverse of the vet bed even when I vacuum it before I wash it, so I always have to vacuum it again after the vet bed is dry.

I clean my machine quite regularly as I wash my sports clothes on a 30° wash and it doesn't take long for the machine to gunk up, long gone are the days of a 'boil' wash .

 

[snowbunny]

Our washing machine in Andorra has died - AGAIN. It's the second time in seven years that it's had a major fault and we've not even been there for the last three summers. I'm so cross because it wasn't a cheap one. Luckily I know someone (J) who can replace the necessary parts, but it's a pain in the bum.

 

[Charlie]

@Boogie How do the hairs wash away, don't they stick to the bed anyway?

@snowbunny we always buy the cheapest Indesit eco washing machine, no digital display or bells and whistles just knobs for around £200. Having a large family and two dogs my machine is only every day sometimes two or three times a day and I get around 10 years per machine. We clean it out regularly and when it gives up it goes and we get another. Very cost effective! x

 

[SwampDonkey]

I've had to factor Rory into the Washing machine equation luckily he's stopped eating them now. Usually I look after them clean them and baby them a long.

 

[Anne123]

After washing Finn’s bed I let the washing machine dry and vacume it....

 

[Jacqui-S]

I do an extra rinse.
Then let it dry and remove any hair.
Then I do dark washes first

 

[Boogie]

I shake the dog bed before I put it in the dog wash bag, then again after it’s washed. It works well

.

 

[Stacia]

I vacuum Rourke's two beds daily and wash them weekly, I did have a bag I put them in but the bag didn't seem to collect the hairs and they remained on the beds! I have never cleaned my washing machine but do clean the drawer I put the fabric softener etc in, just take it out and sit it in some water with a little bleach and then scrub. I would love to have two washing machines!