Yet another puzzle

[-pops-]

I have just returned from visiting a friend. When I arrived she was on her hands and knees with a cloth and cleaner spray cleaning the interior of her washing machine.

I asked why and was told that she'd just used it and was getting it ready for next time. It transpired that she also cleans the inside of her dishwasher after each use as well.

Can someone explain why she was doing this?

[catgate]

Can someone explain why she was doing this?

To get it clean of course!

On a more serious note, though. The whole idea of washing something and putting it away clean, ready for the flies to crap on it prior to the next time it s used, is a bit of a silliness. In situations where ultimate cleanth is needed (eg chemical analysis and microbiological work) the equipment is cleaned immediately before use.

[Thos]

I cannot comment on dishwashers as we haven't got one, not a mechanical one anyway. But washing machines need cleaning because leaving them wet encourages the rotting of the seals; in hard water areas calcium deposits form and you will find that you need services and replacements pretty quickly.

So there!

Thos. :P

[-pops-]

But she was using Flash spray and a cloth. This wouldn't remove these (theoretical) calcium deposits as the quantities she was using were too small. I say theoretical because it seems you have been influenced by the Calgon adverts on TV where they claim that calcium deposits do all sorts of nasty things to a washing machine.

Consider this: a washing powder contains an appreciable proportion of Calgon-like complex phosphates/phosphonates. Putting more in does nothing except increase the phosphate loading on the effluent.

(I write as a chemist, sometime involved in the formulation of such products)

[Thos]

But she was using Flash spray and a cloth. This wouldn't remove these (theoretical) calcium deposits as the quantities she was using were too small. I say theoretical because it seems you have been influenced by the Calgon adverts on TV where they claim that calcium deposits do all sorts of nasty things to a washing machine.

Consider this: a washing powder contains an appreciable proportion of Calgon-like complex phosphates/phosphonates. Putting more in does nothing except increase the phosphate loading on the effluent.

(I write as a chemist, sometime involved in the formulation of such products)

Never use Calgon.

Nevertheless, I bow to your superior knowledge. I shall instruct my wife to stop cleaning from now on.

I wonder where the nearest Emergency ward is?

Thos.

[rong]

If you work out the price of Calgon in three years you could buy a new machine. Most of our washing machines have lasted more than 6.

[r4may]

Never use Calgon as we have a water softner :P

[joysness]

I used to work in a laundromat when I was a teen and my job was to wipe out the machines after each person used them. It was mainly to make sure nothing was left in the machine by the customer and also to keep the powdered detergent from getting caked on the inside of the machine.

Also, sometimes peple would wash oily or greasy items and the next person to use the machine would end up with a nasty mess on their washing.

I still do it with my own machine because it became a habit. I also like to dry the inside as I am very sensitive to the smell of mildew and I find wiping down helps. I only do it after I've completely finished though, not after each load. :blush:

[andsome]

I used to work in a laundromat when I was a teen and my job was to wipe out the machines after each person used them. It was mainly to make sure nothing was left in the machine by the customer and also to keep the powdered detergent from getting caked on the inside of the machine.

Also, sometimes peple would wash oily or greasy items and the next person to use the machine would end up with a nasty mess on their washing.

I still do it with my own machine because it became a habit. I also like to dry the inside as I am very sensitive to the smell of mildew and I find wiping down helps. I only do it after I've completely finished though, not after each load. :blush:

Our last washing machine lasted for over ten years and was never cleaned out. As with the new one we wipe around the door area now and again, and also clean the powder draw, and that is all. About once a month we run the dishwasher with a dishwasher cleaner added, this gets rid of the odd smell that can build up in the filters etc.