front loader washing machine problem

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ajbw

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#304405 1-May-2023 12:56

We have a Fisher & Paykel WH756OP front loader washing machine which we
purchased 2017/2018.

And we have some black silk sheets. The sheets
invariably come out of the washing machine covered in small white flecks.

We have tried everything - the Drum clean cycle, Ceraclen, 1 litre white vinegar
+ hot wash(as recommended by F&P) ..... and we've checked the filter. But
still we get white flecks on the black silk sheets. On other washing too I
feel but it seems only to show up on black things.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Or found a solution?

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#3069967 1-May-2023 13:24

I assume (you don't state) you're not using washing powder that isn't being liquified.

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ajbw

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#3069987 1-May-2023 14:12

We're using Ecostore laundry liquid. Thick and gloopy, but no solid particles visible.

robjg63

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#3069989 1-May-2023 14:17

Have you tried another detergent?

If not, there are 2 brands I use when I wash some dark stuff:

Reflect black wash

Persil black wash

You arent adding fabric softener at any point are you?

Looks like you have cleaned the machine pretty well - next step - different products.

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neb

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#3070093 1-May-2023 16:41

In particular, anything with the word "Eco" or "Enviro" or "Green" in the name will have been heavily compromised in order to justify the Eco/Enviro claim - in Consumer tests some of these eco-detergents actually perform worse than just using plain water. Try some Persil Ultimate (under $10 at Countdown) and see how you go with that.

scuwp

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#3070095 1-May-2023 16:44

I also think this will be your detergent. Using to much is a problem with front loaders, they only need a very small amount.

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hamish225

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#3070106 1-May-2023 17:04

I would suggest you only use 1tsp of detergent for a full load, definitely don't use fabric softener, ever. Modern detergents are very concentrated these days. You could also wash with no detergent and put it through an additional rinse cycle if you can select that on your machine.

*Insert big spe*dtest result here*

Eva888

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#3070108 1-May-2023 17:10

I often wash special dark pieces inside a laundry bag that is tightly woven. Seems to help.

I think the cause is skin that naturally sheds on to clothes and which then causes a scum that floats and gets spun onto the clothes. More likely to happen with sheets, towels and underwear that rub on skin.

Light coloured sheets might be the answer.

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neb

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#3070109 1-May-2023 17:11

Eva888: Light coloured sheets might be the answer.

My one-time suggestion to buy brown sheets because they don't show the dirt so much got me A Look.

ajbw

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#3070140 1-May-2023 19:48

Thank you all for the suggestions. We'll try them out and see what works.

timmmay

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#3070160 1-May-2023 20:26

Persil black liquid would be worth a go. Also, you could get some of these sheets

1200 thread count Luxe, $399 queen (less on sale occasionally), smooth, very comfortable
1200 thread count sleeping beauty, $159 queen, little rougher but in a good way, they smooth out with time

Advantage of these over silk is you don't slide off so often.

Wheelbarrow01

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#3070196 1-May-2023 22:59

hamish225:

I would suggest you only use 1tsp of detergent for a full load, definitely don't use fabric softener, ever. Modern detergents are very concentrated these days. You could also wash with no detergent and put it through an additional rinse cycle if you can select that on your machine.

Can you elaborate on the fabric softener thing because I am very confused. Not by what you said, but because I bought a Bosch front loader at the weekend after our F&P top loader died.

My confusion came when reading the instructions for the Bosch machine. Several statements in the instructions were contradicted elsewhere in the same instructions - and one of those statements was around fabric softener. I just can't fathom how the instructions state not to use fabric softener, but then go on to detail how to fill the fabric softener dispenser in the machine!

This machine has Bosch IDos - you fill both the detergent and softener dispensers up, and it then automatically doses based on the size of the load that the machine senses.

neb

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#3070200 1-May-2023 23:14

Wheelbarrow01:
My confusion came when reading the instructions for the Bosch machine. Several statements in the instructions were contradicted elsewhere in the same instructions - and one of those statements was around fabric softener. I just can't fathom how the instructions state not to use fabric softener, but then go on to detail how to fill the fabric softener dispenser in the machine!

"You definitely shouldn't be doing this but we know you're going to ignore this and do it anyway no matter what we say so we'll at least tell you how not to screw it up".

fe31nz

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#3070208 2-May-2023 00:00

My understanding is that fabric softener reacts with things in the washing to form a nasty gunge that clogs up the machine. So never use it.

openmedia

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#3070224 2-May-2023 07:30

We're finding that Persil Ultimate is very reliable. Our washing machine is an a filtered rain water tank and you typically want to avoid a lot of the eco branded powders/liquids as they are designed for chlorinated town supply.

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OllieF

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#3070237 2-May-2023 08:45

Buy some of the persil automatic powder (the traditional dark blue colour). Use that on a hot wash, and see if it still occurs.

Had a similar problem was using Persil Sensitive, and ended up with greyish scum on everything cotton. Even got Bosch to agree the machine was broken, and they replaced it being only 3 years or so old. Got a new machine and same thing. Did the above and never seen the issue again.

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