Honeycomb care and cat hair

[gizmo]

I have a Miele W3831 with the honeycomb care drum.

It is a great washer, cleans well, rinses well, fast spin, balances without fuss, quiet.

we also now have a gorgeous ragdoll cat, Simba, discussed on other threads. He has an amazingly soft long coat, like fine wool. We have only had him for a few months, but he is 10 years old. He has shed less hair than any of our other (all short hair) cats... until now. It is summer here and he is changing his coat. I brush him daily, I get long fine cat hairs on my pants, and he sleeps on the bed with us and we are getting the same hairs on the sheets. One sheet in particular is a poly-cotton (didn't notice that when i bought it, everything else is pure cotton) and that sheet in particular seems to hang on to the cat hair. My dark blue linen shorts seem to attract the hair too - fine beige hair that really stands out on the blue background.

The issue, my question, is about cat hair in the honeycomb drum. I reckon the holes are too fine, and the cat hair is retained in the drum between rinses, and stays on the clothes or sheets. Does anyone with a Honeycomb Care Miele washer have any experience with this, or any advice?

 

In the wash the hairs seem to mat up into fine balls, like pilling on a woollen jumper. These balls remain on the clothes through the wash, I end up picking them off while the washing is on the line. I don't have a clothes dryer, all washing is line dried. It is driving me mad... and it isn't a very long drive.

 

Are there any techniques to improve this?

 

I do own a dryer that was given to me, needs repair, so maybe I could give a brief ride in the dryer after line drying? (would have to fix dryer first.)

 

Rinse in another machine? ( have an Asko front loader spare, that might help? I also have the vintage 1950s non-automatic Frigidaire Pulsamatic that is currently in storage and will need cosmetic repair before being used again. (I have built a new shed and will be setting up a working washing machines section soon.)

 

I have contemplated drilling all the holes in the Miele honeycomb care drum to a larger diameter - would use a short drill bit so I don't drill the outer drum

. Do you think this would allow cat hairs to pass through easier? Seems a bit extreme, though.

 

Any other suggestions? (Cat isn't going anywhere - not negotiable.)

 

[DADoES]

 
Drillng the drum perfs seems a bad idea.

 

[rp2813]

Our cat only sleeps indoors/on the bed when my buddy spends the night.  She isn't allowed under the covers.  We put a fitted sheet over the comforter to keep the cat hair off of it.  This system works quite well. 

 

When it's time to wash the fitted sheet, I use the Maytag 712 and will throw in some other items so I don't feel guilty about filling the tub at least half full so the lint filter will work.  Once finished, I pull the lint filter out and find flat wads of cat hair on it, or sometimes they're stuck to the interior of the agitator and I peel them off.

 

I don't use my Neptune front loader for this sort of thing ever.  I don't want to chance it with potential pump issues.

 

I would guess that your Frigidaire doesn't have a lint filter, otherwise I'd say to give it a try.   Maybe if your dryer can be used as is on a no-heat setting after line drying, it will remove and trap the cat hair.

 

[qsd-dan]

You'll have to fix the dryer or get a top loader with a good filtration system.....meaning you'll have to go vintage. There isn't really another way around it.

 

The Pulsamatic doesn't have a filter so not much help there but a portion of the hair should float to the top and work its way into the outer tub and down the drain during the spin cycle. Hope you're not on a septic system or antiquated plumbing though.

 

[gizmo]

Dryer might be the go, for now at least. Not even sure what is wrong with it, yet.

Yes we are on septic system. It's not a problem, we are on acreage and have a good size disposal area. I would only use the Frigidaire occasionally to give a single extra-rinse to problem items, not do the whole wash cycle in it. (there is no hot water where the Frigidaire will go.) It's also not automatic, manual fill too - turn off tap to stop flow.

Link below is to the Frigidaire - a unique to Australia model from late 1950s.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/COLLECTIONS/GIZMO/01@Frigidaire [email protected]

 

[launderess]

In general H-axis washing machines aren't best for lint/hair/bits removal. This has become more true as inner tub holes have become smaller to almost microscopic.

Tumble dryers are where lint, hair, etc... are removed best. That or various semi or fully automatic washing machines, especially those with lint filters.

For top loading washing machines (with central beaters or impellers), twin tub (such as Hoover, etc..) or even wringer washers there are those Asian lint filters.

See: https://www.amazon.com/Whaline-Washing-Floating-Household-Reusable/dp/B07T47RY3G

Use them in the Maytag wringer washer and they work a treat.

Long ago learned never to put anything heavily or even moderately coated with hair or lint into the Miele or any other front loader, it just doesn't go well..

One reason have gone off using local laundromat is several local pet sitters, dog walkers/groomers and kennels bring doggie bedding and other items infested with hair. After using machine interior tub and glass is coated with hair. You can see more hair rising up from sump as machine fills if you're next person to use washer...

 

[askolover]

That's one thing I'll give to the old GE FF washers.  They worked wonders with pet hair!  We had a long haired black cat back then.  I wish I could have collected all the hair balls from that washer over its lifetime....I'd probably have a couple more cats made out of it.

 

I currently have four cats.  Neither my Meile nor Asko does much for their hair.  The GE and Frigidaire dryers do well catching it though.

 

[ozzie908]

MIele W1 powerwash 2 machine

With the Honeycomb drum and your right its useless at animal hair removal, I have a throw on the sofa as the dogs lie against it and I have washed them in the Miele and end up with a huge ball of fur in the door seal, So have stopped using the Miele and use either Whirlpool FL or TL and then SQ gas dryer and no more pet hair is left on these throws. I guess as said above the holes are too fine and instead of ruining the drum get a 2nd machine for pet hair removal..!

Austin

 

[rolls_rapide]

"Any other suggestions?"

The obvious answer: hoover the fabrics with a turbo-brush before you wash them.

 

[launderess]

Or take them outside and beat them about with a stick or something..

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Ironically..

This is one of my biggest complaints with our LG built Kenmore. Actually, a majority of LG front load machines retain lots of pet hair. Our Duet rarely struggled with pet hair. I personally feel that the larger holes in the drum of the Duet allowed for more pet hair, grass, and other items to easily be flushed out during the cycle. As mentioned, the Miele has very small holes in the drum, thus making the issue worse. So I completely understand what you mean!

 

[DADoES]

 
The small drum perfs are to avoid fabric from being pulled through during high spin speeds for preventing tears, snags on terry towels, etc.

 

[henene4]

Do what SQ now markets

The newest SQ dryers have a pet hair removal cycle.

As far as I understand, it's just a timed cool air cycle.
You put the hairy items in the dryer first, wash them and then dry them.

A 10-15min cold air only cycle in the dryer will reduce the amount of hair carried into the washer.

 

[askolover]

I ain't puttin' dirty pet items in a clean dryer before washing them and then drying them in a dirty dryer.

 

[henene4]

Was my thought too

But that's what they are telling in their marketing.

I personally don't see a complete issue with putting something into the dryer before the wash.
Depends on the soiling - especially with pets certain soils would make that a no go for me - but if it is just hair I don't see to much of an issue. Most US dryers get hot enough to kill anything bacteria wise. The dryer is a dry place anyway and it's only clean plastic and metl surfaces.
So as long as it dosen't rub off it shouldn't do much.

But thats really up to anyone IMO.
Just thought I'd point out that solution.

 

[launderess]

Tossing something into dryer set to "air fluff" or whatever no heat cycle would be fine I suppose. But using any sort of heat would likely contribute to baking soil (especially protein based in nature) onto fabric.

Why bother putting something dirty into dryer for lint removal? Assuming the thing is going to the wash just do so afterwards.

 

[henene4]

Idea is that the hair won't spread onto other items or loads and that you don't have to clean everything out off the washer.

 

[iiijohnnymaciii]

I’ve got a German Shepherd. The dryer is a lifesaver.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Overflow rinsing in your vintage Frigidaire Pulsamatic for three or four minutes should help greatly Chris. You'd fill the tub up and keep filling during the agitation to create the overflow rinse cycle, that's how the automatics do it. A lot of that pet hair will float over into the outer tub and down the drain. You could even to that as a "pre-wash" so to speak and then wash them in your Miele.

 

[bradfordwhite]

I agree with #8

Most laundering instructions from the manufacturers say to remove large items like coins in pockets, papers, etc. before laundering.

Pet hair def. qualifies as a large item. Can't expect any washer or dryer to remove that.

Using a mini power brush on one's vacuum is essential. I've on occasion used this to remove weed seeds, prickers, and other sticky seeds after going for a walk through the woods.

I converted my Electrolux Sidekick to work with my central vacuum but any mini powered brush should work.

I did my bathroom rugs this morning with it.

 

[gizmo]

overflow rinsing

Hi Robert

Thanks, yes I was thinking of overflow rinsing in the Frigidaire - that's why I specifically mentioned that washer.

It's in storage in the garage at our old house, where a relative now lives. It will need some TLC to get it back in action, that will happen soon.

 

 

[gizmo]

turbo vacuum

I won't be using a turbo vacuum attachment to vacuum my clothes - that's what washing machines are for!

 

I did try vacuuming my top sheet, the problem one, with the Bissel Pet Hair Eraser upright vacuum cleaner - one I scrounged from the dumpster behind a store, its fault was brush roll not turning, only required a 10c resistor to fix. It wasn't very successful - the cat hair remained largely attached to the sheet, and the vac wanted to eat the sheet. Once the cat hair has been washed, it seems to go into tiny balls that cling hard to the fabric.

 

[launderess]

"Idea is that the hair won't spread onto other items or loads.."

Well suppose that could work, but long held wash day wisdom states among other things sorting out what produces lint from what does not.

Wouldn't dream of putting something full of pet hair or any other sort of fluff into a regular load as is so to speak. It is just a formulae for disaster. Using a clothes brush, lint roller, cello tape, vacuum or by whatever means major part of fluff/hair is removed from item before it goes into wash. This or offending item is laundered on its own by various means.

Fluff, pet hair and other bits are where solid tub washing (by machine or hand in tubs) shines. Because one is lifting wash out of water (instead of latter draining through laundry) fluff, hair, and so forth become less of an issue.

If doing wash by hand in tubs creating an "agitated overflow" rinse also works wonders. Have been doing this with black jersey pulls and other garments for some time now.

 

[bradfordwhite]

You have to make sure whatever clothing or soft items your vacuuming is attached at the corners so the suction won't suck it in. Opening the suction control takes some of that pressure off as well.

I think we can agree that using a scuzzy junk found upright that needed a belt and had no functioning rotating brush is going to be a failure.

 

No, it is not the job of a washer/dryer to remove large gobs of lint or hair from clothing.  The owners instructions specifically state that.  A washer is intended to remove mainly liquid, or easily liquified soils such as body secretions, grubby dirt from daily activities, and food stains.

 

If your going to have a pet, you need to have the tools to care for them.  An animal that is free roaming will require an appropriate vacuum cleaner with beater bar for carpeted areas and a mini turbo attachment for any surfaces that an animal is allowed to dwell on.  

 

I stayed with a friend a while back that had one of those huge dogs that sheds profusely.  Oh my lord.  All the dog had to do was lay on a freshly vacuumed rug and the area would change to the color of the dog.  It shed that much.  One had to clean the beater bar on the vacuum after each use it would simply clog up that fast.  Can't imagine the amount of pet dander and other bugs that would attract.

Cats are just as bad. 

 

[rolls_rapide]

I'm sure we've had this sort of conversation about pet hair, a couple of years ago.

 

[launderess]

Don't know about all vintage top loading washers being great at fluff/pet hair removal.

One reason let our vintage WP convertible/portable washer go was that fed up with lint. Neutral drain did nothing for one either, and was that fed up with things (especially darker colored or blacks) coming out looking dreadful. Not even trip through dryer removed everything.

Of course that washer only had the "Magic Mix" brush combo filter and dispenser.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?33598

Maybe other top loading automatics had better filtration systems.

 

[gizmo]

"scuzzy junk found upright" - response to #23 above

Well excuuuuuse me!

 

The upright in question was a warranty return of a nearly new machine. It is as new. It is certainly not 'scuzzy."

I have been rescuing/repairing appliances for over 30 years. When I have repaired an appliance, it works perfectly. It is also spotlessly clean. No repaired appliance is allowed in the house till I have dismantled it and cleaned it inside and out.

 

To make it perfectly clear, the Bissel vac was working perfectly when I tried vacuuming the sheet. It was repaired a year or more ago, long before we acquired this lovely cat. I only mentioned the vac's history as an aside, I thought it might have been interesting. I thought it was probably plastic junk when I first got it, but it has proven me wrong. It is a very good vac, seems to clean carpets as well as the Kirby G4.

 

You discussed "a level of hostility that comes out" in another thread, yet you make a rude comment like this. I wasn't asking for a critique on how I source appliances, I was asking about a premium quality washing machine that appears to be particularly crap at removing cat hair. My washing doesn't have "great gobs" of cat hair, some few items have a few fine hairs on them and they seem to remain attached to the items being laundered. I have had cats and washing machines for decades, never had this problem before. The instructions do NOT mention anything about pet hair having to be removed before washing. It only states to remove anything that might damage the machine, like keys, coins, etc.

[this post was last edited: 1/18/2022-21:51]

 

[rp2813]

Chis, I have no idea what, or more specifically, who you were responding to. 

 

That's not a complaint.  It's an endorsement for the "hide" feature that makes viewing any posts made by chronically rude people a thing of the past.  I highly recommend it for ensuring that any visit to AWO is a pleasant experience.

 

[gizmo]

I was responding to the comment in reply #23 that referred to "scuzzy junk found upright." That's why I started with quoting that text in the heading in red at the top of the post. (labeled "subject drift" on the add your reply page.) I've edited that heading to make it more clear.

 

No problem at all with your reply above, Ralph.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Just going off what you stated

You did state a vacuum that "...I scrounged from the dumpster behind a store, its fault was brush roll not turning..."

if that's the case how is it now "... a warranty return of a nearly new machine. It is as new." ? Maybe they do things different regarding returns in Ausie-land?

----

But I do appreciate, as I've done more than my share: "I have been rescuing/repairing appliances for over 30 years. When I have repaired an appliance, it works perfectly. It is also spotlessly clean."

And it's always a good idea: "No repaired appliance is allowed in the house till I have dismantled it and cleaned it inside and out."

----

We're all just trying to help you with the lint/hair issue.