Possible washing machine problem

[Dave Baker]

It's begun to strike me that my old Hotpoint washing machine doesn't get collars and cuffs as clean as it did 10 years ago when it was new. Maybe it's my imagination or maybe it's just that all my shirts are old and f**ked. There are no obvious operating problems so I'm wondering if the water isn't being heated to full temp. Years ago I used to use a 40c setting with perfectly good results but lately I've started to try 50c with no great improvement. How do you measure the water temp inside the machine while it's performing a cycle? A hand on the glass door would be a rough and ready guide so I'll try that next time I do a wash just to make sure it isn't stone cold but an accurate check would be handy. Even with a thermometer on the outside of the glass I can't see one being able to get a proper reading of the temp inside.

If it isn't machine then perhaps it's time to try a different soap powder.

Dave Baker - Puma Race Engines

I'm not at all sure why women like men. We're argumentative, childish, unsociable and extremely unappealing naked. I'm quite grateful they do though.

[Set Square]

I would have expected it to have an interlock preventing the cycle from running until the water was up to the required temperature. Thus if, for example, the heating element failed, I would expect the cycle not to complete. I suppose the sensor could be faulty, and could be lying about the actual temperature.

If the temperature is ok (and I can't think of an easy way to measure it accurately!) are you sure that the soap powder is being dispensed properly. Are you putting it in the tray, or using one of these spherical objects in with the washing?

[mrcheerful]

Measure the temp of the water as it is pumped out.

mrcheerful

[Pete C]

Hi,

An RF remote thermometer sensor sealed in thick plastic or a waterproof box should be able to measure the water temperature OK :)

cheers, Pete.

[geoff]

In message , mrcheerful writes

But, he needs to compare it with the outflow temperature from before which he negligently probably didn't do

[Set Square]

When did *you* last measure *yours*?

[N. Thornton]

This well known problem can have the following causes:

machine drum lined with muck: accumulates over years, end result is the detergent is attaching to the muck instead of the clothes. Thuis is more of a problem with liquids than powders, and when hot washers are never used.

use of washing blocks instead of powders: some blocks dont dissolve until either part way through the wash, rinse cycles, or just not at all. That includes some well known advertised ones.

Clothes gradually accumulating slight non-washable stains over the years, or in need of bleaching.

Regards, NT

[big al - Peoples Pal]

Having tried to research buying a new Washing Machine recently (the old Washer/Dryer refused to move into its new home and promptly died just as I had got the plumbing sorted out in the utility room - thanks for the guidance on waste water and where to put it - people), I was reading:

for tips and ideas.

Somewhere on the site it mentions your problem with reduced performance of the washing machine and the basic cure is to use powder (real stuff from a big box) and wash through a boil wash empty. Guess this should shift any stuff that needs shifting.

HTH

[Larry West]

Of course, if you do your washing with the economy button selected, it will bypass the heat pause. It won't heat the water no matter what temprature you select.

Larry

[IMM]

Go through a boil wash, empty of clothes, using citric acid to get the lining of detergent off the drum. Then use good quality powder in washes. Give it a try.

[geoff]

In message , Set Square writes

Isn't that a rather personal question ?

[Set Square]

I don't know what you mean! I *was* referring to your washing machine outlet temperature, honest!