What temperatures do you use UK members?

[aquacycle]

Never had to do a maintenance wash

No offence meant, but I firmly believe so-called maintenance washes are only required for individuals who don't know how to wash. These "shove everything on quick 30 with a liquitab" people.

Providing appropriate detergents and temps are used (I'm not a liquid fan, but I admit it does have it's benefits on darks and colours, powder and hotter washes for whites and bedsheets) for the load, then there should be no need for maintenance washes unless you're in a very hard water area and even then, it's more descaling the machine than cleaning it.

My 7 year old washer has never needed a maintenance wash, it's still as clean as it was when it was new. The only thing I clean on it is the drawer.

 

[triumphtoledo]

no offence taken...

NO problemo. I am interested - does anyone know if laundry detergent kill bacteria, or does it simply remove bacteria in the water, so it can be flushed away in the subsequent rinses?

 

[aquacycle]

re: bacteria

the surfactants in all laundry detergents will, to some extent, kill off bacteria. Soap alone can do that. With powders, the oxy bleach will give it a boost of anti-bacterial action - better for kitchen linens, bedsheets, kids clothes or anything where added hygiene is required.

I would personally not like to use a liquid exclusively. As we've seen time and time again, constant liquid use, especially at low temperatures, leads to mold build up in the washing machine.

 

[delaneymeegan]

 

 

Do you leave the door open after use, so the machine can dry out?

 

I never use the maintenance cycle on mine as prevention is the best practice.

 

When the machine is done, I first take a sponge and hold it strategically under the drawer opening.  Then I open the drawer and pull it all the way out of the machine using the sponge to catch the end and any water that may drip.  I dump and shake the tray in the sink.

Then I open the door and with a sponge wipe down the glass, then I wipe out the bottom area of the boot.  This removes any potential lint, suds, and remaining water.  Takes just a minute or two.

 

Then I remove the clothes.

 

Last I put the draw inside the washer drum and leave the door open slightly.  This leaves the drawer area completely open to dry and the drum and drawer can also completely dry.  Never any mold.

 

The washer is always clean and fresh for next wash day.

 

 

 

[aquacycle]

I leave the door open & take the drawer out to clean it once a month or so (in the dispenser drawer and under/behind it) but don't do anything else - there's no need.