Need Laundry Help

[Radical Activist]

Ok, I've been on my own for a number of years now and even though my Mom never taught me how to do laundry I thought I had it down by now. I have a recurring laundry problem and I'm turning to you, the faithful writers of DU, for help.

My clothes frequently come out looking dirtier than they were when I put them in the laundry. The problem is mostly with certain clothes that tend to attract this blue and grey crap (I think it happens in the washer). I sort my clothes by color. I tried to wash my blacks and neutrals separately and it still happens. I'm not washing them with anything new that sheds stuff. I put my clothes through the entire washing process and certain items will come out looking worse with blotches of stuff on them that isn't easy to get off.

Any idea what I'm doing wrong? Is this a problem with the washing machine that has to be fixed? I do clean the lint out of the dryer screen before every load. Help is appreciated because I'm tired of washing my clothes to make them look worse!

[1gobluedem]

1. Have you tried adding a water softener?

Before I started using liquid detergent (another recommendation) I had the same problem especially with cold water loads. I would add a cup of Calgon water softener which helped somewhat although the liquid detergent is what really helps. My town had really hard water, maybe yours does too.

[Radical Activist]

3. Never tried softener

I already use liquid detergent but I have used powder detergent in the past. I'll try the softener. Thanks!

[Broken_Hero]

4. I agree with your advice, and

you said exactly what I was going to do...using liquid deter is a plus IMO. But, powder to me is just as good, but needs a bit more care...I use powder when I'm a bit more broke, but i put the powder in first, and let the water fill about 1/3, and then I stick my hand in and stir it all together, and then I add clothes...

[Midlodemocrat]

2. Is the blue and grey crap powdered detergent by any chance?

If it is, it could be that you are over filling the washer and not giving the detergent a chance to dissolve.

If you are using liquid, try throwing in some oxyclean. Stuff works great. Colored bleach works well also.

[Radical Activist]

5. I use liquid

Is oxyclean a kind of water softener, as the last poster suggested?
Thanks for the suggestion!

[Midlodemocrat]

7. Oxyclean is an oxygen based cleaner.

Great for getting stains out of clothes, etc.

I add a scoop to each load. We use liquid detergent as well. I don't have any advice about the water softener. We don't have that problem.

[Mz Pip]

6. Check the pockets

before you throw the clothes in the wash. Tissue, napkins, paper towels can dissolve in the wash and get all over the clothes.

Use a liquid detergent instead of powder. I've had powdered detergent not dissolve, especially if I'm doing a cold wash.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Radical Activist]

8. Last time

it may have been something in the pockets. Good thought. Thanks!

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. What temp of water are you using?

Cold water can leave clothes dingy over time, especially cottons. I prefer cold wash to reduce shrinkage, but sometimes halfway through the fill will turn the dial to warm water to add the extra cleaning kick.

on edit:
Other thought
Clean your washer by running an empty medium to full load with a half cup of liquid bleach, some soap, and hot water. After that cycle, run one more empty medium to full load with warm wash/cold rinse and some soap to thoroughly remove any bleach from the outer tub.

[radwriter0555]

10. You may be overfilling the washer, if your clothes are covered with linty

crud when you're done. They're not moving around enough and are acting as the lint filters.

Here are a couple more tips for successful laundering:

Never ever use hot water except on white whites. If you always wash your pure whites together in the hottest possible, you only need to bleach every few months.

Don't put your clothes in the dryer. Let them air dry. Putting them in the dryer cooks the clothes. You're baking them to death, literally causing them to break down, hence, the lint.

ALWAYS wash your dark clothes in cold water and always turn them completely inside, especially blacks and especially black jeans or else they'll fade terribly.

For ladies, never, ever wash lingerie in hot water, and never, ever, ever put them in the dryer.

Your clothing will last for years with proper care.

[querelle]

11. Try This

Persil. It's a lundry detergent from Germany and it does wonders for my clothes. I bought a German made laundry set (Miele) five years ago and they threw in a box of Persil as a gift. Best laundry detergent ever. Its available all over North America, but mostly at specialty or import shops.

Here is their site from England:

http://www.persil.com/persil_products/pfam_bio/

Q