Washing wool in High Efficiency washers

[Rob Hawks]

Is there a product that is best or highly recommended for use in high
efficiency washing machines when washing wool products?
I just got some Jones Wares products, and all the tags say is 'machine
wash cold, line dry'. The website says to use an
eco-friendly light detergent.

Thanks for your advice.

rob hawks
richmond, ca

[Donald Perley]

I use Tide HE, same as for everything else. For high efficiency
washers (usually meaning front loading) the big thing is low sudsing.
Not sure if Woolite fits that description.. you could check the
label.

[thirty-six]

Stergene

[Wesley Smith]

I believe that Joneswares people recommend Kookaburra. I've never
tried it myself, but supposedly woolite reduces the Lanolin in the wool.

Wes

PS-What did you get?

[sfuller]

I use Tide HE, and I make sure that I don't use a lot of it in a load
(about 1/2 way to the 1 on the lid). I've had no issues with any of my
merino wool baselayers feeling or working any differently. The high
speed spin cycle means that they air dry fairly quickly.

Steve

[pamela blalock]

Ivory Snow - doesn't destroy the lanolin like woolite and it s commonly
available in grocery stores.

[Harry]

I use Kookabura on all my wool items. No problems with my washer. It
cleans them well and line drying gives the garment that fresh smell.

Harry

[Rob Hawks]

Hi,

I had been using Ivory Snow, but IS does not seem to make a version
for HE washers
and cutting the amount in half still creates too much suds.

Kookaburra does make a version for HE washers. I haven't tried it
yet, but it has gotten
the most recommendations from my posting, with Ecover next.

rob

[donp...@gmail.com]

On Nov 11, 2009 5:19pm, Rob Hawks <rob....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I had been using Ivory Snow, but IS does not  seem to make a version
>
> for HE washers

Last time I used Ivory Snow it was essentially a grated version of the bar soap; like snow flakes, hence the name. Now they seem to be a family of detergent products. Go figure.

[DrCodfish]

+1 for Ivory Snow. It seems to be the least impactful on my wool
jerseys. We have a new washer which I assume is HE, it certainly is
HT and HC (hight tech and high cost).

My trick is this: Don't use much of whatever you use. My jerseys
aren't really 'dirty' I don't do my wrenching or gardening in them).
It seems the most benefit comes from sloshing around in a tub of water
for a little while, the Ivory Snow just freshens them up and helps
remove what I deposit after several rides of several hours. "that's
not enough" seems to be just about the right amount when it comes to
soap.

Yr Pal Dr C

[thirty-six]

On 11 Nov, 22:32, donper...@gmail.com wrote:

> On Nov 11, 2009 5:19pm, Rob Hawks <rob.ha...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> > I had been using Ivory Snow, but IS does not seem to make a version
> > for HE washers
>
> Last time I used Ivory Snow it was essentially a grated version of the bar  
> soap; like snow flakes, hence the name. Now they seem to be a family of  
> detergent products. Go figure.

I've used LUX soap flakes, for hand washing, in a front loader. I
don't think at 30 and 35 degC but at 40degC. Pre-dissolve the soap
with HOT water if you are using lower temperatures. Getting the
right amount of soap is esential to keep the suds down. If it does
foam up heavy, add some rusty wire wool to the wash and this will
flatten the foam. You can use soap at lower temperatures as long as
it is in liquid form. Pre-dissolve it. It is probably best to stick
with soap if you can. The only problem (bar getting the dose right to
clean yet avoid sudsing) will be if the machine will rinse well
enough, extra rinses may be required. Soap really needs hot water to
rinse, again getting the dosage accurate helps.