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Use Washing Machine or Hand Wash?

There is a washing machine in every household these days. Operating the washing machine is not difficult, but which laundry actually belongs in the washing machine? With the following tips and tricks, it will be easier to clean your clothes correctly in the washing machine or by hand in the future.

Do I still have to wash the laundry by hand?

Doing laundry wasn’t easy in the past. Because in the last centuries it was usual to clean the laundry by hand at any time. The housewives soaked their clothes in a large cauldron for 24 hours before they worked them by hand with various tools such as washboards. Since this washing process could take several days, people only put in a washing day every few weeks. Today we have high-tech devices that make life easier. This includes the washing machine. But not every piece of clothing is suitable for the washing machine.

1) When is hand washing of textiles necessary?

Although a washing machine is now standard equipment in a household, many people wash their textiles by hand. Even today there are some situations in which there is no way around handwashing. Consequently, you should also prefer hand washing in the following cases:

  • Silk and wool are delicate textiles. They can be damaged in the washing machine despite the appropriate washing programs. It is better to wash these textiles by hand.
  • Garments that rub off can in principle be washed in the washing machine – in individual wash cycles. However, this procedure consumes a lot of electricity and water and is time-consuming. It can therefore make more sense to hand wash textiles that stain.
  • A defective washing machine due to a move or other unplanned situations makes hand washing a suitable means again. If you don’t feel like laundry service, wash the laundry by hand in a water bath.

2) Observe care instructions and sort laundry accordingly

When washing clothes with the washing machine, it is customary to sort the laundry according to color and material beforehand. It is also important to pay attention to the care instructions for the clothing when washing the clothes. Because washing a garment wrong ruins the fabric and makes it unsightly. In the worst case, the clothes can no longer be worn after washing.

Consequently, it is advisable to find out about the explanation of various laundry symbols in order to avoid mistakes in the future. Furthermore, it makes sense to only wash identical fabrics together. White laundry, colored laundry, and special items of clothing made of fine fabrics such as wool or silk should be washed separately. And for some items of clothing, hand washing is explicitly indicated, especially here you should take the washing recommendation seriously. The symbol usually shows a hand reaching into a kind of tub.

3) Which detergents are suitable for handwashing?

Delicate items of clothing should only be soaked briefly before washing. Liquid detergent is preferable to powder detergent for washing by hand. Because the powder is anything but skin-friendly and makes your hands rough. As far as the detergent is concerned, special delicates or wool detergents are suitable for sensitive textiles. Detergents for coloreds are more suitable for the clothes that go in the washing machine. Also, it doesn’t hurt to use rubber gloves when washing by hand to protect the skin from inflammation. You can also use this to make a mild detergent yourself.

4) Dry laundry after cycle or hand wash

The washed laundry – regardless of whether it comes from the washing machine or the water bath – can be dried in the air. The following applies to hand washing: It is best to wrap the textiles in a bath towel beforehand and let them lie flat to dry. If a dryer is used, only non-sensitive fabrics may go into the dryer. Either way, it’s important to flatten and hang up the finished laundry. If the laundry is left in the laundry basket or washing machine for a long time after washing, there will be musty smells in the washing machine and clothes. And it is then more difficult to iron the textiles. Therefore, note further tips on how to dry laundry properly. These help for perfectly dry laundry.

5) How can the washing machine be used in an energy-efficient manner?

Costs can be saved in the household by using the washing machine in an energy-efficient manner. In principle, it is worth fully loading the washing machine and setting the washing program gently. The material is preserved in the long term and you can save electricity with the washing machine. In this context, washing at low temperatures (30 or 40 degrees Celsius) has proven itself, whereby a detergent containing bleach can be used once a month to prevent biofilms from forming on the textiles. If infections occur in the household, it also makes sense to wash the textiles at high temperatures. This applies to non-sensitive textiles such as linen towels, nightgowns, pajamas, or hand and tea towels.

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Clean Smelly Washing Machine with Home Remedies

A smelly washing machine and smelly laundry are annoying. In order to effectively remove bad odors, you need to clean your washing machine regularly. Simple tricks and natural home remedies can help here.

Reasons for an unpleasant smell of the laundry

Laundry that is freshly removed from the washing machine and smells unpleasant is very annoying. But why is this? Experts agree that liquid detergent and fabric softener are the main causes of this problem. Of course, the liquid detergent is a win for the environment, but the washing machine doesn’t like it that much. In order to be able to avoid smelly laundry, you should look around for clever detergent alternatives.

How often to clean the washing machine?

You should also clean your washing machine regularly to avoid smelly washing machines and smelly laundry. So you can benefit from the long service life of your device. But how often do I have to clean the device?

At the latest when your clothes smell bad after washing, you should clean your washing machine. It is also advisable to run a wash cycle at hot temperatures once a month without laundry. As a result, you can fight germs and bacteria. You should also regularly remove dust from the device with a damp cloth. You should also clean the fluff filter, the seals, and the detergent container once a month. In this way, you can prevent and neutralize unpleasant odors. Simple household remedies are sufficient for cleaning the washing machine.

1) Vinegar against limescale

If there are coarser deposits, you should instead use the home remedy vinegar essence. Then put this home remedy in the washing machine with an old bed sheet and let it work at 95 degrees to clean the washing machine. Then run a program 1-2 more times. This is the only way to completely remove the vinegar essence. Fat and other deposits are then effectively removed.

2) Citric acid for cleaning washing machines

Citric acid is cheap, environmentally friendly, efficient, and available in every drugstore. It will help you loosen limescale without damaging delicate rubber components as vinegar does. It is also a good way to descale the washing machine. Accordingly, put a maximum of eight tablespoons of citric acid in the empty washing machine (directly in the drum). Then choose a washing program with a maximum of 40 °C and start the machine without laundry. Once 50 percent of the wash time has elapsed, pause the wash program for two hours. This allows the citric acid to take effect. Then end the washing program. In the following video, you can watch the cleaning procedure with citric acid and find out why the acid must not be heated above 40 degrees.

3) Baking soda against dirt

Using baking soda can also keep the machine clean. To do this, mix two bags of baking soda with a little water. Then put the paste directly into the washing drum or detergent compartment. Then run the smelly washing machine on a hot wash cycle. You will quickly enjoy nice-smelling and clean laundry. In addition, note useful tips for descaling the kettle.

4) Cleaning with soda

Cleaning the washing machine with the home remedy washing soda is environmentally friendly and easy. Because you can add this to the laundry during a normal washing program. This saves water and energy. Consequently, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of soda directly into the detergent drawer with the detergent. In addition, soda has outstanding advantages:

  • more powerful than baking soda
  • gentle on seals
  • versatile usable
  • Cheap

5) Clean in washing machine with baking soda

If you don’t have soda at home, you can also use the popular home remedy baking soda to clean a smelly washing machine because baking soda helps against odors, limescale, and bacteria. It is used without washing: Put 50 grams in the washing machine and run a full wash cycle at a minimum of 40 °C.

Important tips for using the washing machine

In addition to the home remedies mentioned, there are a few tips and tricks that you should take to heart. Otherwise, it can quickly happen that you have to buy a new washing machine. But don’t panic with the following tip your washing machine will last for a long time without problems:

6) Allow moisture to escape

To keep your washing machine from smelling, you should always let the moisture escape. To do this, avoid closing the washing machine door. It must always be open so that the device can dry well after use and no mold forms. You should also keep the detergent compartment open so that the residual moisture can escape. In line with the topic, also note tips for reducing high humidity.

7) Occasional heat wash

As already mentioned, low temperatures are often to blame when clothes smell bad. Microorganisms multiply rapidly in humid climates. Therefore, occasionally run your machine at high temperatures (60 – 95 degrees. Then germs and bacteria die. At 30 – 40 degrees, only a small part of the microbes in the laundry is washed out. While at 60 degrees, significantly more Therefore, wash underwear, tea towels, and cleaning cloths at this temperature. For all other clothes, follow the care instructions for the textiles. However, if a family member is ill, it would be advisable to wash their laundry separately at 60 degrees.

8) Clean detergent compartment and lint filter

High temperatures at regular intervals are good but only help to a limited extent with dirt in the detergent compartment. Because detergent and fabric softener residues often remain in the compartments, causing mold to form. Since the entire detergent drawer can usually be removed in just a few simple steps, cleaning is possible without any problems. How to remove the element can be found in the instructions for use of the washing machine.

Then hot water and a good brush are enough to remove dirt without leaving any residue. You can also use some citric acid if necessary. Then let all components dry thoroughly. Likewise, a foul smell can emanate from the fluff filter. If this is rarely emptied, hair, lint, and many other components accumulate. The machine manufacturers provide individual information about the correct removal and cleaning of the sieve.

9) Maintain door seal

The door seal in the porthole of the washing machine provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Since the surfaces here are constantly damp and clogged with hair, fluff, and detergent residue, soiling is inevitable. Here, too, citric acid is a reliable helper. Accordingly, put a few squirts of the home remedy on a rag and wipe the entire sealing ring thoroughly with it. And your washing machine stays clean.

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Washing Fruit Properly: What to Do About Pesticides on the Skin?

You should wash fruit before eating it – especially fruit from conventional agriculture, because it is almost always contaminated with pollutants. We show you effective tips and home remedies.

Pollutants are everywhere

In conventional agriculture, pesticides are used as standard to combat pests, diseases and weeds – the consumption of which is usually also harmful to human health. Fruit and vegetables are also treated for transport so that they survive the long journey undamaged. You can find more information about pesticides here.

Consumers will therefore find food in the supermarket that is not suitable for immediate consumption, but should first be washed thoroughly. Although within the EU certain maximum residue levels of pesticides may not be exceeded, smaller amounts are almost always present.

In 2020, the Oldenburg Food and Veterinary Institute tested 79 samples of apples, of which only those from organic cultivation showed no residues of pesticides. Even if the EU only assumes a health-damaging effect above a certain value, the following still applies: the fewer pollutants, the better. We will show you what is important when washing fruit and vegetables.

Wash or peel fruit?

Most of the pesticide residues are on the skin of the fruit. So is it better to peel the fruit?

While this would actually be the most effective way to remove pesticide residues. However, most of the vitamins are also found in the peel. It is therefore advisable to wash the fruit well and eat the peel as well. Because it is precisely the peel that makes the fruit really healthy.

With organically grown fruit and vegetables, you can safely eat the peel after washing. You can read about the requirements that foodstuffs must meet under the EU organic seal in another article.

Wash fruit properly: This is how you remove the pesticide residues

Pesticide residues are mainly found on the skin. You have to wash them off before you eat them. However, some pesticides also penetrate under the peel and are not removed by simply washing.

For fruit with an edible skin, you should wash the fruit thoroughly under warm running water and then rub dry with a kitchen towel. The water jet and vigorous rubbing already removes a large part of the pesticides. Rubbing the apple quickly on the trouser leg, on the other hand, is of little use, as this only removes some dust and dirt on the surface. With more sensitive fruits such as berries or apricots, you have to be a little more careful when patting dry.

In general, only wash fruit just before eating it. Because fruits are surrounded by a natural protective layer. The water will damage it and the fruit will spoil faster.

Homemade fruit and vegetable cleaner

You can remove pesticides even more reliably than with water with a household remedy, namely with commercially available baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). This is according to a 2017 study at the University of Massachusetts. The scientists washed the apples treated with the fungicide thiabendazole and the pesticide phosmet in three different ways – with chlorine bleach, a baking soda solution and with tap water.

The baking soda and water mixture removed most of the pesticides on the skin, provided the baking soda solution was allowed to sit on the fruit for around 15 minutes. However, pollutants that had penetrated the skin of the apples were less successful in removing them with this method.

Washing fruit with a baking soda solution before eating is an effective way to remove pesticide residues. However, this means quite a lot of effort for a piece of fruit, especially the 15-minute waiting time. If you want to be on the safe side, organic products are still the best choice.

What you should also consider: Five tips for pesticide-free fruit

The easiest and most effective way to avoid pesticides is to buy organic fruit. There, chemical-synthetic pesticides are forbidden in cultivation.
Even if you peel the fruit, you should still wash it first. Because if you cut it up or peel it, pollutants on the peel get into the pulp. This applies, for example, to citrus fruits, avocados or melons.
Buy local and seasonal fruits and vegetables whenever possible. In this way you avoid long transport routes, for which the food is additionally treated. Fruit from the EU is also usually subject to stricter requirements with regard to the pesticides used. We help you to find regional products.
Avoid cleaning with dish soap. You get rid of a little more pesticides this way than just rinsing your fruit with water. However, residues from dishwashing detergent can also be harmful to health.

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Washing Machine Not Draining? That Could Be The Reason and You Can do That

You put a load of laundry in the washing machine. At first everything works perfectly, but then: The washing machine no longer drains. What has to be done now?

Washing machine won’t drain: what you can do now

Sometimes a few little tricks or checks help. First of all: does the machine have electricity? Simple but not negligible. Just turn it off and on again. Are the lights on the machine lit? If not, is the plug in correctly? The next easy step is to check the fuses in the fuse box. If not, these can be reactivated, but this may indicate an electrical problem in the wiring system and may require investigation.

Most modern washing machines have a display. Looking at it can help one identify a possible problem if an error code is displayed. Depending on the manufacturer, this code consists of various lines, a pictogram or a combination of letters and numbers. You can then check this code in the operating instructions or on the manufacturer’s website and narrow down the error.

You can also help yourself without an error code by performing some fairly simple checks. If you set the machine to “pump out”, just listen to see if the pump is running. Does she rattle? Or makes strange noises? Then it may be defective. However, if it sounds normal, the drain hose could be the first cause. Due to the vibrations, it can happen that it is kinked. That could be the cause. Or it can be a button, a coin or something else that prevents free flow. You can check this yourself with a little skill. You pull it out of the pipe into which it ends, possibly unscrew it on the machine. Then, if you pour water in at one end, it should flow out at the other end. If this is not the case, remove the blockage, screw it back on and try it out. It may also be necessary to place the hose in a water bath that has been enriched with a fat-dissolving agent to remove deposits. A compressor and a lot of air can also be helpful. Just blow it out.

Still not pumping? Now it gets a little more difficult

Another problem can be a clogged lint filter. This separates the pump from the drain area and should be cleaned at least once a month. On most machines, this screen is located behind a flap at the front. You open this, then you can unscrew the sieve and clean it. But a certain amount of caution is required here! If the machine stopped during the washing process, the water content in the drum will drain out immediately. It is therefore essential to have suitable collecting vessels ready. Clean the fluff filter, put it back in and try it out. By the way, since the water has run out of the machine in this case, you can now also take out the laundry. If nothing has helped up to that point, it gets more complicated. You should only try the following suggested solutions if you have a certain level of manual dexterity and possibly also the appropriate tools.

Another possibility is that the drum V-belt has come off or snapped. As in a car, where it drives the alternator and various other units, this belt is there to connect the washing drum and the engine. If it breaks, the drum stands still. To check this, first disconnect the device from the power supply. Depending on the machine, you then have to remove the rear wall, which is firmly connected to the machine with several screws. If it is removed, you can see immediately whether the strap is present. You then press the strap together with your hand. Is he tight? Or can you push it far through? In this case it is worn out and no longer transmits the power of the motor to the drum, in which case it must be replaced. A look at the manual can tell you which part you need. If necessary, you must also contact the manufacturer. However, since this can be a tricky matter under certain circumstances, you should consider having a specialist carry out this repair.

If the drain pump is defective, there is no way around repairing or replacing it. However, a lot of expertise and skill is required here. If you are unsure, you should only hire a specialist there. Here, however, the factor of economic efficiency already comes into play. A final possibility is an electronic defect. As already mentioned, this can be indicated by an error code on the display. He checks the electronics and can tell you what is defective and what the costs are. In this area in particular, repairs often become very expensive very quickly. Then you have to consider whether a repair is still worthwhile if the machine is already well outside the warranty period, or whether buying a new one is a more economical alternative.

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The Washing Machine Eats Socks – or Does it? Where Are The Clothes Going?

Probably everyone knows the phenomenon of the “eaten” sock in the washing machine. But why do so many socks actually disappear when washing – and what can I do about it?

Why do socks disappear in the washing machine?

Sometimes we blame the washing machine even though we misplaced the sock ourselves or it disappeared among the other clothes we were washing. In fact, the machine is often really the culprit. The so-called bellows are responsible for this, i.e. the rubber seal between the laundry drum and the washing machine door. This actually prevents liquids from leaking out during the washing process. When the drum is spun at around 1000 revolutions per minute, high forces are generated. To prevent water, detergent or foam from getting into the housing, there is a rubber ring between the moving drum and the front of the washing machine.

If the washing machine is too full, the laundry cannot move freely when turning and small items of clothing, such as socks, are pushed through the gap between the rubber and the drum. Larger items can also get caught there, but they pull the rest of the laundry back into the drum.

The swallowed sock, on the other hand, now wanders through the inside of the machine. Should she reach the bottom of the case, she will wait there until the washing machine is unscrewed for inspection and the missing items of clothing are collected. But when the sock gets to the heating element, it usually gets caught there and actually dissolves over time. The only strange thing is that usually only one sock is “eaten” by the machine and the corresponding counterpart reappears between the rest of the laundry.

Tip: how to never lose your socks again in the wash

By the way: Old washing machines are more susceptible to the phenomenon than newer models. But you don’t have to buy a new machine straight away. It would be helpful to put a new rubber seal between the door and the drum.

An easy-to-implement trick is to always pay attention to the correct filling quantity when loading in order to avoid the drum being too full. You can also tie the socks together before washing so that you end up with a complete pair.

To be on the safe side, a laundry bag in which you can pack your clothes is ideal. This is also recommended for bras, by the way, to prevent them from getting caught in the machine. Alternatively, there are sock clips or holders that make the tiresome sock drama a thing of the past.

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Washing Machine Running Time: Why The Last Minute Feels Like an Eternity

Are you wondering why the washing machine display shows another minute but just can’t finish? These are the reasons.

Washing time takes longer than indicated – these are possible reasons

The first reason for the delay in duration is the wrong dosage of detergent. If this is too high, it will take longer to completely rinse out of the wash. The water only stops rinsing when the sensors no longer detect foam formation. Only then can you spin and finally end the wash program.

Furthermore, the water pressure plays a decisive role. It should be as high as possible so that the machine can be filled with enough water quickly. This is sometimes not the case with old lines. Even if water is taken from the main line at too many points at the same time. The water pressure can drop or fluctuate and the device therefore takes longer to draw the required amount of water from the pipes.

The water temperature also increases the duration of the washing program. If the machine is connected to the cold water line, the water must first be heated, which takes some time.

Imbalance due to incorrectly loaded drum

If you load the drum correctly, you don’t have to wait in vain for the last minute. Then the contents are pressed evenly against the drum during spinning and the textiles arrange themselves in a ring. This will rotate the drum evenly.

However, spin imbalance can occur if there are too few items of clothing or a single large piece of fabric in the spin cycle, as the contents will only be pushed to one side. The sensors detect the resulting imbalance and try to correct it. For example, the drum then rotates backwards to distribute the laundry more evenly. After the last spin cycle, the sensors must first measure whether this and thus also the wash program can be ended. This can take up to several minutes.

Irregular loading ultimately means that the sensors have to take longer to ensure that the water has been completely spun out of the textiles and pumped out of the machine. It is also possible that lumps form in the machine due to the damp laundry. It is therefore advisable not only to wash individual large items, but different sizes. This avoids an imbalance and the textiles can be better distributed.

Tricks to respect the washing time

It is also worth noting that the time display often only shows an approximate value. This calculates the time required for optimal loading when the program starts. The duration of the program is determined by factors such as the water pressure, the degree of soiling, the weight of the laundry and the amount of detergent.

There are a few tricks you can use to meet or even shorten the calculated time. It is important to pay attention to the detergent dosage and not to overload the drum. As a result, the laundry is also clean, the fibers are protected during washing and the indicated washing time is adhered to. It is also important to pay attention to which compartment of the washing machine is intended for which agent and what function the right chamber actually fulfills.

You can also connect the washing machine to the water connection, which means that the water does not have to be heated first. You also save on electricity costs. Finally, it is helpful during the rinsing process to prevent large amounts of water from being drawn from the pipe during the rinsing process through watering the garden, showering or the running dishwasher. This reduces the pressure in the water pipes and shortens the washing time.

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What do You Need The Right Compartment of The Washing Machine For? We Solve The Riddle For You

Most people know where to put the detergent in the washing machine. But what about the right compartment in the drawer? What is it for? Here you will find the solution to the riddle.

What are the three compartments in the washing machine for?

A common washing machine has a total of three compartments, which are labeled differently depending on the type of washing machine. As a rule, the following symbols apply: main wash (II), fabric softener (III or a flower symbol) and prewash (I).

The compartment on the far left is for the detergent, whether in liquid or powder form. The washing machine draws detergent from this so-called washing-in compartment for each wash cycle. This compartment is usually the largest and can be filled with heavy-duty detergent, color detergent, mild detergent or water softener. The temperature of the washing cycle is not decisive.

Even with the middle compartment, the temperature of the wash cycle is not decisive. This compartment is for the fabric softener. You can also fill in disinfectant detergent, vinegar for descaling the washing machine or scented oils.

The forgotten right compartment of the washing machine: that’s what it’s for

So the first two subjects are clear. But what is the third compartment on the far right for? The answer is not that difficult: It is used for the pre-wash, for which you can fill the compartment with liquid detergent, powder or special detergent.

But watch out! Some washing machines have the main wash compartment in the middle and the fabric softener on the left.

It is best to always pay attention to the symbols of the compartments in order to use them correctly. For the pre-wash, the symbol is a tub with a vertical line in the middle.

Prewash – when to use it

Prewash is an additional washing program used to soak stains and dirt on clothes. You can use it with front-loading and top-loading washing machines as well as tumble dryers. To do this, fill the detergent in the prewash compartment and select the program provided for this, usually “+ Prewash”.

At the end of the washing process, the fibers of the textiles inside the washing machine are loosened by a short spin cycle. This allows the detergent used in the main wash to work better.

A pre-wash is rarely really necessary. However, it can be useful for heavily soiled clothing or textiles with stubborn stains. There are also some garments for which the washing label recommends prewashing. Otherwise, it’s better not to use it unless it’s really necessary. This saves you electricity, water and detergent and the laundry is finished faster. Normally soiled clothing gets clean without pre-treatment and you also protect it and can wear it longer.

Prevent mold – clean washing machine compartments regularly

Incidentally, all compartments, including the washing-in compartment, should be cleaned every two months. After each wash, dirt settles there and detergent residues stick.

You should pay particular attention to this, as the existing water residue can also cause mold to form. For thorough cleaning, take out the entire drawer and clean it with detergent or vinegar. The chambers can simply be made to shine with a cloth and cleaning agent.

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Washing Clothes: 3 Tips For The Washing Machine That Save Money

Washing machines are among the biggest power guzzlers in the home. But with these 3 tips you can save money when doing laundry.

Save electricity with the washing machine: This is how you save money

Tip 1 – Wash laundry at low temperatures

Most people always wash their clothes with the same program and at the same temperature. But that is often higher than necessary. There are tons of detergents in the drugstore these days. Thanks to advances in the detergent industry, most of them have one thing in common: the washing power of the detergents is so high that they can fully develop their cleaning effect even at low temperatures. Many remove light soiling and the smell of sweat even at 20 degrees. As far as the cleaning effect is concerned, it makes no difference whether you wash laundry at 30 or 40 degrees.

Therefore: If possible, wash at 30 instead of 40 degrees. In this way you can save an average of 17 euros a year and at the same time avoid around 25 kilograms of CO2. The Federal Environment Agency has also calculated that private households can reduce their electricity consumption by around 37 percent if they consistently use lower temperatures. In view of the current price increases in the energy sector, this should definitely be worth considering.

In a few cases, however, you should make an exception to washing at low temperatures. Laundry from sick or immunocompromised people, bed linen and towels should be washed hotter. The Federal Environment Agency also recommends washing at least once a month with a detergent containing bleach at 60 degrees to reduce the formation of germs in the washing machine.

Tip 2 – Load the washing machine fully

Many washing machines are now equipped with a sensor that measures the amount of water and doses the amount of water accordingly. If your machine is not one of these high-tech specimens, you should only switch it on with a full load if you want to save electricity with the washing machine. Compared to a half-full machine, you can save 24 euros a year. You also avoid 35 kilograms of CO2.

Tip 3 – Use the washing machine’s energy-saving program

Bad news for impatient minds: the longer a washing program lasts, the less electricity is used when washing. So-called “eco programs” use only half as much water as the normal standard programs and they heat up the water less. But they run longer. If you use the energy-saving program regularly, you save an average of 33 euros in electricity costs and 5400 liters of water when doing laundry. In addition, you avoid 48 kilograms of CO2 compared to a conventional 60-degree program.

Conclusion: Saving electricity when washing – easier than you think

The washing machine does not have to be a power guzzler. If you do everything right and follow these three tips, you can save a lot of money on the wash cycle. Especially in the current time, it is important for most people to pay attention to their power consumption – and that doesn’t necessarily have to be difficult.

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Save Money and Energy: Washing Clothes at 30 or 40 Degrees – That’s How Big The Difference is

It doesn’t matter whether you wash the laundry at 30 or 40 degrees? No – because lower temperatures not only save energy and costs. You also have another advantage. How big is the difference really?

Washing at low temperatures: what about cleanliness?

As far as washing the laundry is concerned, many fall into a certain routine after a while – and then always wash at the usual number of degrees. At first glance, the difference between 30 and 40 degrees sounds very small; after all, it is just 10 degrees more that are generated in your washing machine. However, these 10 degrees are by no means low for the washing machine: it requires almost twice the energy if it has to bring the temperature to a full 40 instead of just 30 degrees.

The worry that the laundry won’t get really clean or isn’t hygienic if you wash it at lower temperatures is usually unfounded. Washing machine technology is so advanced today that laundry can be cleaned at just 20 degrees. A so-called hot wash (a wash cycle that can heat up to 90 degrees) is only necessary in the case of contagious diseases or a special need for hygiene – according to the Stiftung Warentest.

If you want to be on the safe side that the laundry is completely germ-free even at 30 degrees, you should let it dry in the fresh air if possible. Here, the sun kills various germs with the help of UV radiation.

Focus on costs and the environment

When comparing the washing temperatures, it can be seen that there is no noticeable difference in the cleaning effect.
However, if you take a look at power consumption and the environment, you can see some significant differences:

If you normally wash at 60 degrees and now turn it down to 40 degrees, about 50 percent of the electricity costs are saved
If you calculate this down from 60 to 30 degrees, you save as much as 67 percent.
Depending on the electricity provider, you save around 40 euros if you wash about three times a week. It is therefore worth switching to lower temperatures.
You are also doing something good for the environment, as the lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions can only be reduced by washing at lower temperatures; and by up to 35 percent. The Federal Environment Agency recommends: Washing permanently at the lowest possible temperature and only choosing a program at 60 degrees once a month to prevent the growth of germs in the washing machine. For example, bedding or towels should be washed.

Conclusion: washing at low temperatures – so what’s the point?

Unless you have an illness or other reason that makes you forced to do a hot wash, try to do a hot wash only once a month. You don’t lose anything when it comes to cleanliness: Today’s washing machine technology and detergents ensure clean laundry even at low temperatures.

If you wash at low temperatures, this offers advantages for you and the environment. On the one hand you can save money in the long run, on the other hand you also help to reduce CO2 emissions. In summary, there are no disadvantages for you if you wash at low temperatures.

The initial question as to whether it makes a difference to wash laundry at 30 or 40 degrees can therefore be answered in the affirmative. There is no noticeable difference in terms of cleanliness, but all the more so in terms of the environment and the costs involved.

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Descale the Washing Machine and Dishwasher

Now descale the washing machine and dishwasher with natural home remedies. With our instructions, you can descale your washing machine and dishwasher properly and prevent damage. Consequently, you should remove limescale deposits regularly.

Calcified household appliances no longer work properly, they consume more electricity and break down more quickly. You should therefore descale your washing machine and dishwasher regularly. This saves hassle, time, and money. Remove limescale deposits with vinegar, lemon, and co.

Hard water leads to limescale deposits

Hard water can attack electronic devices. Especially after a long period of time, limescale deposits on all components that come into contact with tap water: hoses, heating elements, spray arms. The hotter a component gets, the faster it calcifies. The heating elements in washing machines and dishwashers are therefore particularly affected. How strong depends on the temperature and the degree of hardness of your tap water.

How often do you descale the machines?

If you have hard water, you should descale your devices two to three times a year. But if your water is soft, it is sufficient to remove limescale deposits from the washing machine and dishwasher once a year. This usually does not require any special cleaners or decalcifiers, simple and natural household remedies can often remove limescale effectively. Please also note our tips for cleaning the bathroom and removing limescale.

Prevention of limescale deposits

A dash of vinegar with each wash protects against limescale deposits and makes your laundry fresh and soft. In addition, you can occasionally add a packet of baking soda or baking soda to the normal wash or rinse cycle. The following applies to the dishwasher: Even if you use dishwasher tabs that already contain water softeners, you should always use coarse special salt.

Instructions for descaling the washing machine

It doesn’t take much to descale your washing machine. You can follow our simple step-by-step instructions for this. You should also clean your washing machine regularly.

Home remedies to remove limescale

If you want to do without too many chemicals in the household, you can use environmentally friendly and inexpensive household remedies. Because it can be used to remove limescale from your devices just as easily. You can also use natural home remedies to descale your kettle. Or clean and descale your sink with simple household items. The following home remedies are good for removing limescale deposits:

1) Descale with citric acid

The use of citric acid can effectively dissolve limescale deposits on household appliances. You can buy lemon juice concentrated cheaply in small yellow plastic lemons at any grocery store. Then, to descale the washing machine, dissolve the contents of a plastic lemon in 0.5 liters of water and pour the mixture into the drum as described above. To descale the dishwasher, fill the undiluted concentrate into the powder compartment up to the edge.

2) Vinegar against limescale

Using vinegar can also descale your washing machine. But it also has disadvantages. Because most manufacturers of washing and rinsing appliances point out that vinegar could attack the seals and plastic hoses of the appliances. Nevertheless, many swear by the inexpensive limescale remover. To descale, pour 0.5 liters of household vinegar directly into the machine, as described above, and start a washing or rinsing program that is as hot as possible. When using vinegar essence, a quarter of a liter is enough.

3) Use the home remedy baking soda

Although using the household remedy baking soda alone does not dissolve limescale, it does make the water softer. This way you can avoid limescale deposits. In combination with vinegar, baking soda becomes a sparkling clean. Soda strengthens the lime-dissolving effect of the acetic acid and also frees the machine from soap and grease residues. Consequently, a good household remedy for washing machines and dishwashers.

4) Commercial descalers

You can also descale your devices with special cleaners. Because the specialist trade offers a variety of descalers that can remove limescale deposits from your device quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly. You should definitely observe the respective instructions for use. You can also find many types of descalers on the Internet, such as descaling coffee machines.

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