Hettie Bob-Load

[partscounterman]

For some reason I got behind on my "warshin'" and nearly ran out of decent towels. So I put 'em in the hettie this morning on "Sanitary" cycle. The towels get sour so fricken quick here if I don't use that cycle. I usually try to run smaller loads because of what Sudsman told us about the germs and stuff, but life got in the way of laundry.

The Sanitary cycle, with out lukewarm hot water supply (solar-only REALLY gets hot in the afternoon) took two hours and 45 minutes to complete the cycle-1 1/2 hours of which was the wash cycle (how I long for a 240 volt machine!)

Dennis hung the load up in the lovely Maui breeze and I popped them in for an air fluff in the dryer later

 

[partscounterman]

load contains-

6 large bath towels
1 medium bath towel
3 baff mats
3 kitchen rags (Dennis says "Say 'bar towels'")
9 warsh rags
5 hand towels
2 kitchen hand towels

Bob-was this large enough to qualify? The washer was nearly packed.

JasonL- perhaps you can top this with the "Canyon Capacity"

The next size after canyon capacity will be called "incontinent troopship capacity"

 

[appnut]

I think it does!!! Would have loved to see the machine full before the cycle started.

BTW, what DID sudsman say about germs & all?

 

[brettsomers]

for sour towels, try Borax. just use recommended dosage with your usual detergent. works best in warm OR hot water. ive used it on many loads now and am CONVINCED it keeps things like towels and socks fresher longer. super-hot cycle seems like a good idea with mixed kitchen/bath loads, though.

 

[partscounterman]

What Sudsman said-

Well, he can say it better himself, but something to the effect of that it doesn't really matter how hot your water is, but how much you load your washer, that determines how many germs get killed. Smaller loads resulted in less germs-best results were obtained when the machines are slightly underloaded.

So I guess my towels are really crawling with germs!!! (LOL)!

 

[sudsman]

Bacteria and overloading and temperature.

There were a number of test done here by 3 of our labs techs, All were performed on very heavy soil nasty linen. Al were done in the domestic machines. here are what was learned.
Load done in hot water with bleach and overloaded 5 colonys
Load done in hot water with bleach and not overloaded 4 colonys
Load done in hot water with bleach and underloaded by 2lbs 0
Load done in hot water with no bleach underload 0
Load done in warm water (98) at machine rated cap. 22 Colonys
Load done in warm water (98) underloaded by 2 lbs 1 colony
Load done in warm water (98) overloaded by 2 lbs 38 colony
Load done in cold water (65) overloaded by 2 lbs 52 colony
Load done in cold water (65) at rated cap. 48 colony
Load done in cold water (65) underloaded by 2 lbs 8 colony
Load done in cold water with bleach at rated cap 5 colony
Load done in cold water with bleach underload 2 lbs 0 colony
There were many other test done but too mach to list here but is seems that under loading by at little as 2 lbs makes a big difference in the bacteria killed Oh, any thing over 5 colony of bacteria is Not acceptable. If you want more studies we have a lot of data on this and more.

 

[oxydolfan1]

Is it not true that an increased number of rinses helps?

 

[sudsman]

Rinsing

When the test were done it was discussed and rinses were dont and tested in 2, 3 ,4,5,and 6 rinses . There was no change in the bateric count after 3 rinses and only 1 or two different in count for 1 or 2 rinses. rinses are just to get rid of the used particles of detergent and soil. We did found that drying and flatwork ironing did lay a role in reducing the bacteria count, to a great deal. and that work that was ironed on the flatwork ironer was 100% santized. However the risk of cross contimation from high bacteric count items touching the baskets or employees hands and transfering to clean items is far too great to risk. The loads must be clean when removed from the washers. We have over 25 pages of finding on this test and some very interesting. Washing test were dont on 5,10 15,20,25,and 30 min washing times . The items washed for more that 15 mins had no more bacteric count then the ones washed for longer , If fact it was found that loads washed longer than 20 mins. had MORE bacteria than others . It seems that it starts multipling after 20 mins. It was also found that a load done with a pre wash and a 15 min wash was almost santized. Only 1 colony was found. But if the machine was over loaded by 2 lbs that same load was found to be unacceptable. There will be new test done in January or February Let me know if you would like to know the findings . This time they are planning to test around 200 loads.

 

[partscounterman]

Thank You Sudsman!

I knew there was a reason to NOT overload your washer!

 

[mickeyd]

That's fascinating stuff, Man

So our Moms, Grams, and Aunts, were right:

Use hot water and clorox and don't overload the machine. Some truths are eternal.

Yes, I'd love to hear about the other tests.

Test results and statistics are thrilling for me.

Thanks

 

[sudsman]

There is another reason too

Overloading your washer is very hard on the motor and will cause if to burn out if done too many times, also hard on the supension system as too much vibration will kill it too. also overloading can cause bearing stress and the bearing will wear out a lot sooner. Over sudsing can do the same thing by causing the motor to overheat. This is true for ANY make of washer even the commerical models the one thing that all the mfgs. stress is no over loading...

 

[gansky1]

That's it! Hot water for everything - even the dog.

Well, maybe not the dog, but certainly his bedding.

Thanks for the pictures, David - and all the info Sudsman!