A lot of questions regarding laundry. Please help if you can?

  1. Why does lemmy not have a laundry dedicated forum? How have lemmy been a thing for this long with no laundry dedicated forum? lol.

  2. . I live in an apartment where there are public washing machines available but the filter for the washing machines are DEFINITRLY not regularly cleaned (most of my laundry smells like vomit right now T-T) so should I just clean it all on my own? in the wash bin? What tyoe of wash bin should I get ? What else should I consider?

  3. If I do get a washbin do you have any suggestions as to what washbin I should get or sny special considerations I should consider? I plan on getting a steel one. Also I live in canada

  4. I have a lot of merino wool stuff to clean so does anyone have any advice on surfactants that shouldnt be used on merino wool stuff other than enzymes and bleaching agents?

Thanks to anyone that helps.

Edit THIS is a similar model of machine than what we have here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mWzJ1gw3-j8&pp=ygUobWF5dGFnIGNvbW1lcmNpYWwgd2FzaGVyIGZpbHRlciBsb2NhdGlvbg%3D%3D and I dont know how much trouble Ill get intk for takong off the back part and cleaning out the filter.

21 points · 15 comments · view on lemmy.world

15 Comments

bus_factor@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 7d (2 replies)

First tell the landlord about the state of the machines. Failing that, I'd consider just cleaning the washing machines. Would probably stay decent for a few months, so less effort than doing your own laundry.

If that doesn't work, try to find a nearby laundromat with better maintenance.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 6d (1 reply)

Thsnks for suggesting and Yes will do. I read this : https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/consumers/renting-a-home/i-am-renting/landlord-tenant-responsibilities and there is the possibility that washing machines that have their filters cleaned out regularly is in part of the lease agreement.

bus_factor@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 6d

No need to look into that, yet. Despite what online discourse might lead you to believe, not every landlord is a slumlord. Just reach out with something like this:

Hi, I wanted to let you know that there is a strong odor coming from the washing machines, and it also transfers to the clothes. Could you please look into it?

Chances are they will deal with it. Only if they ignore or reject the request do you need to check if they're required to do it.

gnu@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 7d (7 replies)

I too would be trying to clean the washing machines you have first.

If you have no luck getting the owners to clean the machines pick one and try and get the filter out (usually accessible from the front, bring a bucket to catch water that might drain from it). The filter is usually a mesh screen that you can rinse under a tap. If it's not obvious where the filter is find the machine make/model and you can probably find the manual for it online which will say how to get to it.

Once you've cleaned the filter (or established it's not user accessible) proceed to dump a good bit of bleach in the machine and set it to run through the hottest cycle possible while empty. You should then end up with one machine which is clean enough to use, whether you do the same with the others is up to you.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 7d

tonight I scanned rhe washing machines and I thinknthe filter is located behind or under the machine cause I definitely didnt see anything on the sides, top or front. I will have to move a machine out from the wall and see if I can clean the filter.

Will report back with results if someone reminds me cause Im super forgetful.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 5d (5 replies)

THIS is a similar model of machine than what we have here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mWzJ1gw3-j8&pp=ygUobWF5dGFnIGNvbW1lcmNpYWwgd2FzaGVyIGZpbHRlciBsb2NhdGlvbg%3D%3D and I dont know how much trouble Ill get intk for takong off the back part and cleaning out the filter.

gnu@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 5d (4 replies)

Having to get the back open does seem like more of an effort than I'd probably go to for a machine I didn't own.

I'd ignore the filter for the moment if it's going to be difficult and try running a hot cycle with plenty of bleach on one of the machines (don't put any clothes in). Hopefully that will kill off whatever is making the machine smell. Some washers have a cycle setting specifically for cleaning the drum, if yours have this use that cycle (again with plenty of bleach).

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 5d (3 replies)

Some washers have a cycle setting specifically for cleaning the drum, if yours have this use that cycle (again with plenty of bleach).

What is the name of this cycle specifically please?

gnu@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 4d (2 replies)

On mine it's literally a selection called 'Drum Clean'. A quick search suggests that another name that's used is 'Clean Machine'. It's basically just an automatic choice of what I've suggested though - a cycle as hot as the machine can do which you're expected to use a special cleaning tablet or bleach with.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 4d (1 reply)

Ah I see. I dont think our machines have that option. As the only buttons on the machine are digital and the only ones I see are to choose the cycle temperature (hot, cold, warm) , the cycle speed (delicates, normal, and heavily soiled) , and extra rinse

Maybe I would have to do a special process to bring up the option to bring up the Machine Clean or Drum Clean Options?

gnu@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 4d

It's possible there is an option for that in the settings but no need to look for it if it's not obvious.

Instead just tell the machine to do a cycle set to hot, heavily soiled, and with an extra rinse (remember to add plenty of bleach and not put clothes in for this).

Osprey@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 7d (2 replies)

Hand-washing laundry in the sink or bathtub (or a bucket) is doable, at least for smaller things. I would not recommend it for things like bed sheets, they are too big and the water won't be hot enough. Get a pair of plastic or rubber gloves, your ordinary detergent (or wool-safe detergent for wool and silk), hot tap water and knead/swish around each item. Then empty the water, fill with new water and repeat without detergent a few times until the bubbles are gone. Squeeze and hang to dry over something the water can drip on (bathtub for example) or outdoors.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 6d

Also if anyone has ANY suggestions for bigass wash bins or pots I can use for this purpose? Please hit me up.

UnequalExchange@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 6d

I do already hand-wash some of my smaller items cause its easy and I have a very small washbin . The squeezing out of the water is the hardest part

If push comes to shove I wouldnt mind buying an absolutelty GIGANTIC wash bin or pot and cleaning my bedsheets and mattress covers that way lol.

Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe · 3 pts · 7d
  1. Again because you haven't made it

Don't expect other people to make what you want, go make it yourself.

This was answered for you yesterday.