ronhic
Well-known member
Rob!
How fabulous that someone in the UK has a Mixmaster - an A12 at that!!
Where abouts was that one made?
How fabulous that someone in the UK has a Mixmaster - an A12 at that!!
Where abouts was that one made?
Detergent Thread
- Thread starter optima
- Start date
Help Support :
optima
Well-known member
Top or front loader
I've often thought about the same thing especially regarding Australia, why were the water hungry top loaders more common in Australia than the front loaders we have here. Logically it doesn't make sense.
I've often thought about the same thing especially regarding Australia, why were the water hungry top loaders more common in Australia than the front loaders we have here. Logically it doesn't make sense.
ronhic
Well-known member
Top or front loader
I could take a few guesses, but they shouldn't be taken as absolutes.
- the most affordable machines in the 1940's, 50's and 60's....actually, always...were wringer machines.
- Front load Bendix automatics were available here from the late 1930's, but war interrupted and they were always hideously expensive.
- The Hoover Keymatic was available here. They were very complex machines and not known for strong overall reliability. I know 4 people who had them from new. My aunt, her neighbour, family friends and a school friend. My aunts was the only machine that didn't get replaced under 10 years.
- Poor reliability, and limited availability of other brands, can lead consumers to associate this with function rather than brand - just as we may refer to plastic containers as the 'Tupperware'.
- The removal of the progressive timer on top load automatics made them significantly cheaper than an identical machine that was fully automatic. This created an almost uniquely Australian machine - the semi-automatic where everything happened in the same tub, but the user had to move between various aspects of the cycle - fill (manual - you need to turn taps on and off), wash, spin.
- top load machines are generally cheaper to produce.
- 'Suds return' was standard or available as an option on most Australian made top load machines until the late 1980's at least. This enabled a user to say, wash the generally lightly soiled 'whites' in HOT water and reuse this for the next load. The machines had 2 drain hoses and would pump out the wash water into a suitably sized and plugged sink and continue the cycle using the second hose to pump rinse water down the sink bypass. During this time, the heavier solids would settle in the tub. For the next cycle...say 'coloureds', you would either select the appropriate cycle and the machine would suck the majority of the previous wash water out of the tub, or select 'Suds return', then select the correct cycle when the suds had moved back into the machine. Top up with detergent and the machine would add more water if required to bring it up to the selected load size.
- Using 'suds savers' reduced overall consumption of hot water, water in general and detergent. They siphon back about 95% of the drained and spun water. Assuming this is itself 85% of the wash water, we'll say 80%. On my mothers old machine, that was about 10 gallons. Topped up to 13 on another full cycle. So, for 2 full cycles without, you'd use 52 gallons (234 litres) ...reusing the wash water once, this would reduce to 42 gallons (189 litres). That's 95 litres per cycle. Virtually as water efficient as most 4.5kg front load machines that were available here before 1990.
- detergent usage reduces by about 25% across 2 loads.
- However, times are changing. Front load purchases have been increasing over the last 20 years. Partly brought on by some significant droughts that we have had.
www.automaticwasher.org
I could take a few guesses, but they shouldn't be taken as absolutes.
- the most affordable machines in the 1940's, 50's and 60's....actually, always...were wringer machines.
- Front load Bendix automatics were available here from the late 1930's, but war interrupted and they were always hideously expensive.
- The Hoover Keymatic was available here. They were very complex machines and not known for strong overall reliability. I know 4 people who had them from new. My aunt, her neighbour, family friends and a school friend. My aunts was the only machine that didn't get replaced under 10 years.
- Poor reliability, and limited availability of other brands, can lead consumers to associate this with function rather than brand - just as we may refer to plastic containers as the 'Tupperware'.
- The removal of the progressive timer on top load automatics made them significantly cheaper than an identical machine that was fully automatic. This created an almost uniquely Australian machine - the semi-automatic where everything happened in the same tub, but the user had to move between various aspects of the cycle - fill (manual - you need to turn taps on and off), wash, spin.
- top load machines are generally cheaper to produce.
- 'Suds return' was standard or available as an option on most Australian made top load machines until the late 1980's at least. This enabled a user to say, wash the generally lightly soiled 'whites' in HOT water and reuse this for the next load. The machines had 2 drain hoses and would pump out the wash water into a suitably sized and plugged sink and continue the cycle using the second hose to pump rinse water down the sink bypass. During this time, the heavier solids would settle in the tub. For the next cycle...say 'coloureds', you would either select the appropriate cycle and the machine would suck the majority of the previous wash water out of the tub, or select 'Suds return', then select the correct cycle when the suds had moved back into the machine. Top up with detergent and the machine would add more water if required to bring it up to the selected load size.
- Using 'suds savers' reduced overall consumption of hot water, water in general and detergent. They siphon back about 95% of the drained and spun water. Assuming this is itself 85% of the wash water, we'll say 80%. On my mothers old machine, that was about 10 gallons. Topped up to 13 on another full cycle. So, for 2 full cycles without, you'd use 52 gallons (234 litres) ...reusing the wash water once, this would reduce to 42 gallons (189 litres). That's 95 litres per cycle. Virtually as water efficient as most 4.5kg front load machines that were available here before 1990.
- detergent usage reduces by about 25% across 2 loads.
- However, times are changing. Front load purchases have been increasing over the last 20 years. Partly brought on by some significant droughts that we have had.
Latest Find: 1973 Simpson Semi Automatic
I purchased this machine on Ebay from a deceased estate. It's a 1973 Simpson Semi Auto which works Perfectly! It even came with the original instruction manual and warranty card. I remember this machine when i was 7 years old...family friends had one.I think that's where my fascination...
www.automaticwasher.org
matthewza
Well-known member
At the moment we are currently using Sunlight auto powder. got just under 1kg left so when its done i want to try ariel, which has now been launched to the south african market (hand wash powder, auto powder, auto liquid and power capsules). my mom's aunt says the liquid is brilliat. the ariel tag line is that it removes stains better than the best selling detergent in SA (which is omo and any south african can tell you that omo removes any stain).
on stains we use GNLD super 10 and the GNLD oxygen bleach powder for very tough stains. I found Bright White whitening tablets at a china mall in march so i bought some and they seem to do a very good job in the whites even on a 30 degree cycle. i used to use skip perfet white powder for whites but they took it off the market so now i just use whatever i have. dont use fabric softener.
and we only use finish all in 1 power ball tablets in the dishwasher because my dad has a friend who gets them for a third of hat the super markets sell them for.
on stains we use GNLD super 10 and the GNLD oxygen bleach powder for very tough stains. I found Bright White whitening tablets at a china mall in march so i bought some and they seem to do a very good job in the whites even on a 30 degree cycle. i used to use skip perfet white powder for whites but they took it off the market so now i just use whatever i have. dont use fabric softener.
and we only use finish all in 1 power ball tablets in the dishwasher because my dad has a friend who gets them for a third of hat the super markets sell them for.
aquacycle
Well-known member
My current detergents
superelectronic
Well-known member
Mr Wash, do you ever intend to use all that stash or is it more of a collection for posterity? That's surely YEARS worth of laundry...
I feel overburdened with just my large box of Ecover powder and 1.5l bottle of their liquid, plus a container or two of stain remover. Not that it doesn't take some self-restraint not to go and buy a load of stuff, I'll admit, but with an average of 2 loads a week it makes no sense to hoard. Even large sizes of products can induce boredom and a longing to see them finished!
I feel overburdened with just my large box of Ecover powder and 1.5l bottle of their liquid, plus a container or two of stain remover. Not that it doesn't take some self-restraint not to go and buy a load of stuff, I'll admit, but with an average of 2 loads a week it makes no sense to hoard. Even large sizes of products can induce boredom and a longing to see them finished!
ronhic
Well-known member
an average of 2 loads a week
You're kidding me?
When I was single I would easily do 4 medium loads...
Sheets - 2 Queen size, 2 pillow slips (and a duvet cover every other week)
Towels - 2 standard, 2 bath mats, washer and gym towels
Whites - all business shirts (no darks)
Light colours - alternate week to darks
Dark colours - alternate week to lights.
You're kidding me?
When I was single I would easily do 4 medium loads...
Sheets - 2 Queen size, 2 pillow slips (and a duvet cover every other week)
Towels - 2 standard, 2 bath mats, washer and gym towels
Whites - all business shirts (no darks)
Light colours - alternate week to darks
Dark colours - alternate week to lights.
franksdad
Well-known member
Ariel detergent-find it at Ollies and WalMart.Whats the stuf
Rex, I bought a bottle of Ariel liquid at Ollie's a couple of weeks ago. It seems to clean very well and it has a very pleasant fragrance. However, I found the fragrance was a little too strong for my shirts or pants. I have been washing my sheets and towels with this Ariel liquid and the it leaves them with a very light and pleasing fragrance. A good deal for only $2.99 for a 32 use bottle. I may go back for another bottle when I finish this one. Ollie's just opened here last month and they are carrying a huge selection of detergents-can't recall all the varities off hand. They also carry the Ariel powder. I might try the powder next. Jim
Rex, I bought a bottle of Ariel liquid at Ollie's a couple of weeks ago. It seems to clean very well and it has a very pleasant fragrance. However, I found the fragrance was a little too strong for my shirts or pants. I have been washing my sheets and towels with this Ariel liquid and the it leaves them with a very light and pleasing fragrance. A good deal for only $2.99 for a 32 use bottle. I may go back for another bottle when I finish this one. Ollie's just opened here last month and they are carrying a huge selection of detergents-can't recall all the varities off hand. They also carry the Ariel powder. I might try the powder next. Jim
Oh and this came to me today because of a super special offer. Couldn't resist the new Persil with lavendel freshness. And it really smells like lavender, not like something with a hint of somewhat that could have been lavender a few years ago *lol*
And to answer the question:
YES, I will use all the things I have and YES I do collect detergents as a hobby. But as mentioned, I don't keep them forever. I do use them step by step.
I do wash for two people and a dog and I do have 25 loads a month. Sometimes just 20 but sometimes 30. It depends on numerous things.
YES, I will use all the things I have and YES I do collect detergents as a hobby. But as mentioned, I don't keep them forever. I do use them step by step.
I do wash for two people and a dog and I do have 25 loads a month. Sometimes just 20 but sometimes 30. It depends on numerous things.
liberatordeluxe
Well-known member
@ MrWash you should set up a laundry detergent business, have enough there to supply an army lol
Do German detergents contain phosphates out of curiosity?
Do German detergents contain phosphates out of curiosity?
superelectronic
Well-known member
@ronhic: yes indeed only about 2 loads a week for me, 3 at a push if I'm being extravant or have extra things.
Currently it tends to work out as:
1 load of whites (contains 1 double sheet, bath and hand towel, undies, tea towels, t-shirts etc - a large hot wash)
1 load of lights or darks on alternate weeks (duvet cover in with the lights which are mostly shirts)
I'm not a gym bunny so that's extra towel use out of the equation, nor are there bath mats to be washed. Every few weeks there are shower curtains but I've recently found they are quite safe with the whites on hot wash.
Washing is fun but drying and ironing isn't so I'm not in a hurry to generate laundry at volume for the sake of it. I don't want to spend every day with my fingers crossed for dry weather (I'm not one for indoor drying, nor am I a big fan of the tumble dryer).
Nobody's told me I'm a dirty b*tch yet, well...not in earshot anyway...
Anyway, back on topic, more power to those of you maintaining and actually using your stash. I've no doubt you're having hours of fun!
Currently it tends to work out as:
1 load of whites (contains 1 double sheet, bath and hand towel, undies, tea towels, t-shirts etc - a large hot wash)
1 load of lights or darks on alternate weeks (duvet cover in with the lights which are mostly shirts)
I'm not a gym bunny so that's extra towel use out of the equation, nor are there bath mats to be washed. Every few weeks there are shower curtains but I've recently found they are quite safe with the whites on hot wash.
Washing is fun but drying and ironing isn't so I'm not in a hurry to generate laundry at volume for the sake of it. I don't want to spend every day with my fingers crossed for dry weather (I'm not one for indoor drying, nor am I a big fan of the tumble dryer).
Nobody's told me I'm a dirty b*tch yet, well...not in earshot anyway...
Anyway, back on topic, more power to those of you maintaining and actually using your stash. I've no doubt you're having hours of fun!
