the laundry machine

safety

The laundry machine has two safety devices outside the machine:

• a safety switch for electricity
• a safety device for water (terugslagkraan)

Always turn them on before washing and off afterwards.

The door should have a safety lock, so you can't open it when the machine is turning.

detergent and softener

When you prepare for washing you have sorted the laundry well.

Before putting it in the machine you can choose the detergent and softener.

Usually there are three spaces in a small drawer:

1. for softener. It's usually the smallest part
2. for the normal washing program
3. for the preprogram (voorwas)

When you're not sure put a normal amount of detergent in one of the parts and start the program with the laundry in the machine.
When there's soap, you used the right space. LOL!

Some machines are very careless with softener and add it to the detergent.
In that case put it in at the right time of the program, not before the machine starts to rinse.

It's best to put detergent in the machine before you put the laundry in, especially when liquid detergent is used. The detergent is spread better through the machine.
Or you can put it in when the machine starts taking water.

laundry

Check for loose buttons and items in the pockets.

Don't put too much laundry in the machine.
It won't get clean, and the machine can be damaged because it has to turn a load which is too heavy.

Don't put too heavy things in the machine.
Some clothes are labeled as machine wash, but when they take water they get far too heavy for a normal laundry machine. Sleeping bags are a good example.

Load evenly.
When you want to wash something heavy, like a coat, put other, lighter things around it.
Stay near the machine.
Sometimes a load can slide to one side and when the machine turns it can cause damage.
Most famous are the walking laundry machines.
In that case, get the item out, press the water out of it in the bathtub and put it back in, or leave the laundry for a while so the water drips out, spread it evenly in the machine and pump off the water before centrifuging.

two hands above
Best is when you can turn two hands above the dry load in the machine.

Close the door

Close the door with a bang.
That way the lock grasps best.

Which buttons to push

Machines differ a bit, but when you use common sense you can wash a lot.

After switching on electricity and water, push on the on/off button.

Then choose the program you want.

The preprogram can be skipped unless your laundry is very dirty and/or smelly.

Most used:

• low temperature (for light and synthetic laundry)
• 40 degrees

Most machines have a turning clock which should be pointed towards the degrees/temperature you want. Some indicate with light.
And some machines have a button for each different temperature, or a button to choose the temperature.

Instead of a temperature some machines use names of the laundry: like synthetic, wool, cotton etc.

Some have a button for extra rinsing.

Some have a button for a half load of laundry. Unless it's s special environment friendly program, this program uses too much water and electricity.
Better wash fully loaded machines, because it's better for the machine, because it's better for your clothes.

Some have an economy button.
When your laundry isn't too dirty you can use it.
It uses lesser time and/or water for washing the laundry. So it's cheaper.

When you're using a washer dryer combination you need to know a few important things.

• read the labels in your clothes!!!!!
  
• the cost. Drying your laundry with a machine costs a lot! It's environmental unfriendly.
• your clothes won't last as long as when you dry them in the air.
• cotton shrinks.
• wool, silk and other fabrics can't be dried in the dryer or need only cold air. Hmm.. dry them in the air.
• Never use a higher temperature than you washed your laundry on, unless the label says so.

Before and after using the dryer check if the watercontainer is empty.
Before and after check the filter.

Vaccuum the inlet of the air regularly.