UGH!! my Mom is using cold water AGAIN. HELP!!!

[dustin92]

My Mom has unfortunately started using nothing but cold water again and this time the excuse is: we are going to use up all of the propane! (for heating water) so how can I get clothes clean in cold water? I am giving up on trying to get her to use hot or warm!

 

[pekedogs]

Propane

I do understand the concern about using propane vs natural gas or electricity to heat water. I live in an area where natural gas is not available and my central heating and water heating is with propane. I also have a woodstove. I only use the propane for the water heater and have it set in the middle range. I pay on average for ONLY heating water (I don't use the central heating) approximately $40/month for the propane. The dishwasher is set to boost the water temperature to an acceptable level using the electric heater in it. It is actually less expensive where I am to use electricity for the dryer. My electric bill runs me approximately $30/month (under the customer CARE program a/c income limitations). I spoke with my neighbors about what their propane bills are per month and was told that they run anywhere from $200 to $600. I nearly fainted.

 

[qsd-dan]

so how can I get clothes clean in cold water?

Tide Coldwater detergent is probably the easiest and least expensive solution in getting clothes clean in cooler water temps. Still, make sure the the temp of the incoming water is at least 70F, preferably 75F. I use an adjustable tempering valve set to 80F.

I spoke with my neighbors about what their propane bills are per month and was told that they run anywhere from $200 to $600.

Good Lord!!!

 

[powerfin64]

Im with Dan on this one..

Tide "coldwater" is wonderful stuff. I have it in both powder and HE liquid, and use them both in my LG frontloader(model WM2050CW)and get great results everytime.
A another option to try is using a color-safe "all-fabric Bleach"

any other sugguestions from anyone?

Rich

 

[ronhic]

I'd go with...

....a cold-water powder rather than a liquid...

Sure, the liquid will disperse a little better, but the powder will prove better overall for your machine - especially if it is a front loader....

Also, consider using a much smaller dose of fabric conditioner (1/3...) as the conditioner will eventually start to form a revolting 'grey gunk' called scrud - especially when used with liquid detergents...

Every 6 months you will need to do a maintenance wash too...Choose the longest, hottest cycle...full load and a full scoop of detergent. Let it fill and agitate for half of the wash time then stop it. Let it soak for 15-20min then continue the cycle until it stops. You will be gob-smacked at the colour of the wash water.....

 

[duet83]

Bless your Mother for making the effort to conserve and be 'green'.

On a small scale, You, and the rest of us, may want to consider installing a demand style electric water heater right behind the washer, so the washer is the only load. You could probably get by with the smallest model that operates at 120 volt, standard plug.

On a larger scale, one could consider replacing an old style tank water heater with a whole home instant water heater.

The benefit of a demand style water heater is it doesn't make hot water when is not being used, thus saving energy.

In the summer and in warmer climates, a tank style water heater installed in a basement or in a home, is giving off a constant flow of heat, making the air conditioner work more. So you will save energy there, as well.

Tankless Water Heater by Stiebel Eltron ~ ~ Go Tankless Water Heaters

 

[maytagmark]

You Can't Teach An Old Dog To Do New Tricks

No offense, My elderly mother lives with me and I'm not sure she ever knew how to do laundry, I just let her do her laundry and when I put the towels in the dryer I put all the kitchen towels aside, They have to be bleached,so they get washed again by me,she can wear all the haphasardly(is that a word,washed clothes by her. She's terminally stupid and I won't let her touch my clothes, So do your own and don't worry about what suzy whanna be homemaker thinks

 

[brettsomers]

You can work around it. A good powder like Tide or Foca is best. Load lightly so the powder gets distributed quickly. Use a longer agitation, or add a soak period.

 

[kenmore81]

I agree w/the guys....

Is ok when for most things when used with Cold Water tide or a good powder detergent, I can see what your mom means. A friend of mine heats her water with propane(and cooks but she only uses the stove as a cigarette lighter lol) and she has 2 kis. Its only the 3 of them and she pays around 320 a month to fill up. I have been trying to convince her to switch to an on demand water heater. I use gas and I shaved about 75-85 bucks off my gas bill when I switched to the on demand system.

$30 electric bill- Id love to see that. 125 was the cheapest so far this year. This month cause of the air its a mere 320 something...grrr Damn electric and gas company all in one and they say its not a monopoly my left cheek