Get Ready For Your Next Grunge Match!

We move mountains of laundry each week and expect that our clothes are clean and fresh. However, a recent study by public health experts featured in the Daily Mail, found that laundry washed at 40 degrees Celsius has only 14 per cent fewer germs.

The study also found that one in four items of clothing washed at 40 degrees contain faecal bacteria, with children’s cuddly toys and baby-grows carrying the highest amounts, while toddlers’ underwear contain the most bacteria overall. To reduce the bacteria, the experts recommend washing your clothes at 60 degrees or higher, or using a laundry disinfectant.

If you’re making a beeline to go and sanitise your washing machine, then hang on - bear in mind that extra detergent doesn't get things extra clean. Instead, the excess suds can carry odours and bacteria beyond where the water inside the drum can reach and leave an unpleasant residue that can transfer on to clothing.

There is however, a money-saving option with Dri-Pak Soda Crystals. Although Soda Crystals are well known for their ability to cut through tough stains and dirt on clothes, they’re equally good at giving your washing machine a thorough clean.

Every month, run an empty machine on a hot wash with up to half a pack of Soda Crystals. This will deodorise the drum’s interior and keep the machine and the outlet pipes clean and free from a build-up of bacteria, dirt, grease and hard water salts. Regularly cleaning the machine’s door seals and detergent drawer will also help. Plus, leave the door ajar after each load of laundry to allow the interior to dry - doing this can reduce the growth of bacteria inside.

If you live in a hard water area and see a frequent build up of limescale in your washing machine, then run it on a maintenance wash every four to eight weeks, using a cup of Citric Acid or White Vinegar.  This will descale the machine and prevent the build up of limescale. The harder your water, the more regularly you will need to do it. 
 
Alternatively, switch your regular fabric softener for White Vinegar! Not only will it soften your laundry, it will help keep limescale deposits at bay. And don't worry, you're clothes will smell fresh and clean - White Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and the vinegar smell will dissipate before your wash cycle is done.

This should save you money in the long run because if limescale is left untreated, your energy bills will rise as the electricity goes towards heating the limescale first.

All this should keep your machine functioning efficiently to deliver outstanding results.  

Spring Clean your Washing Machine!

Do you ever open the door to your washing machine expecting the smell of freshly washed clothes but are instead met by the smell of mould and damp? 

Smelly washing machines are not only unpleasant but they can also transfer bad smells to clothes, meaning they would have to be rewashed wasting valuable time and money. But don't worry! There's an easy, inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to eliminate bad smells from your machine; traditional Soda Crystals, Citric Acid and White Vinegar! 

Washing machines omitting bad odours are often the result of a build up of bacteria, normally resulting from using cooler wash temperatures and gentler washing powders. And hot summer weather will only make it worse, causing bacteria to grow more easily. 

To eliminate smells, scum, detergent and grime from your machine simply add half a bag of Soda Crystals, split between the detergent drawer and the drum and run the machine empty on a 60 degree cycle, or higher if there is a significant smell. If you are in a hard water area, it is recommended to repeat this process using either 500ml of White Vinegar or a packet of Citric Acid to remove limescale build up and complete the cleaning process. 

Not only will Soda Crystals, White Vinegar and Citric Acid eradicate bad smells in your washing machine, they will not damage the environment and lower the power consumption of the machine by descaling the element.

Win the War against Limescale!

There’s nothing like putting your feet up at the end of a long day with a lovely cup of… limescale?!

If you live in a hard water area you’ll know what a pain limescale can be. Not only does it ruin your tea, it leaves water marks everywhere, stops your shampoo from lathering properly, reduces the efficiency of appliances and can even contribute to them breaking down.

Luckily we’re here to arm you with clever tips and tricks to defeat that gunk!

Know your enemy

Here comes the science bit, concentrate!

Limescale is essentially alkaline mineral - calcium bicarbonate - suspended in water. It’s actually very good for us to drink this water because of the rich minerals in it, but it can play havoc with appliances that heat water like your washing machine, kettle, dishwasher, iron etc.

A lovely lump of limescale!

This is because the minerals are attracted to heating elements. When the soluble calcium bicarbonate minerals are heated they become calcium carbonate – a poorly soluble substance that therefore ‘sticks’ to the element. As more and more limescale builds up on the heating element, it requires more and more energy to heat the water and may eventually lead to the appliance breaking down.

So now you know what it is, how can you stop it ruining your stuff?

 

Prevention is better than cure

Water softeners use sodium to replace the calcium in the water - the same principle applies when we advise using Soda Crystals in each wash. Soda Crystals are also known as sodium carbonate, and work to soften the water in your washing machine, making laundry detergents work better and preventing limescale from sticking to heating elements. Soda Crystals also help to remove stains on clothing, as well as detergent build up in the machine. Use between 25g-50g in each wash and you will also find that you don’t need to use as much detergent too – pretty cool huh!

Different areas of the country have harder water and so require the full 50g, whereas areas with softer water won’t necessarily need as much. This map highlights the areas of hard water in England and Wales.

 

Fight fire with fire!

Because limescale is alkaline, acidic cleaners like White Vinegar and Citric Acid work best at removing it. Below are a few methods for removing limescale from surfaces and appliances.

Dishwashers

Draining Boards

Coffee Machines

Kettles

Shower Screens

Irons

So don't let limescale ruin your next cuppa - fight it head on with your army of traditional and natural products!

Pongy washing machine?

Do you ever open the door to your washing machine expecting the smell of freshly washed clothes but are instead met by a fusty, damp odour? Many of us have found that washing on low temperatures, and using gentler washing detergents has allowed bacteria to build up and create a fusty smell. So is the answer to switch back to higher temperature washes? Not with out handy tips!

To eliminate smells, scum, detergent and grime from your machine simply add half a bag of Soda Crystals, split between the detergent drawer and the drum and run the machine empty on a 60 degree cycle, or higher if there is a significant smell. This will raise the PH of the water and help to wash away the smell-causing bacteria.

If you are in a hard water area, it is recommended to repeat this process using either 500ml of White Vinegar or a packet of Citric Acid to which will remove limescale build up and complete the cleaning process.

Not only will Soda Crystals, White Vinegar and Citric Acid eradicate bad smells in your washing machine, they will lower the power consumption of the machine by descaling the element.

Citric Acid is available from John Lewis, Soda Crystals and White Vinegar are available from supermarkets nationwide.  

Spring Clean for your Washing Machine!

Do you ever open the door to your washing machine expecting the smell of freshly washed clothes but are instead met by the smell of mould and damp? Smelly washing machines are not only unpleasant but they can also transfer bad smells to clothes, meaning they would have to be rewashed wasting valuable time and money. But fear not, as there is a easy, inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to eliminate bad smells from your machine; traditional Soda Crystals, Citric Acid and White Vinegar!

Washing machines omitting bad odours are often the result of a build up of bacteria, normally resulting from using cooler wash temperatures and gentler washing powders. And hot summer weather will only make it worse, causing bacteria to grow more easily.

To eliminate smells, scum, detergent and grime from your machine simply add half a bag of soda crystals, split between the detergent drawer and the drum and run the machine empty on a 60 degree cycle, or higher if there is a significant smell. If you are in a hard water area, it is recommended to repeat this process using either 500ml of White Vinegar or a packet of citric acid to remove limescale build up and complete the cleaning process.

Not only will Soda Crystals, White Vinegar and Citric Acid eradicate bad smells in your washing machine, they will not damage the environment and lower the power consumption of the machine by descaling the element.