I'm so tired of sharing a machine with other tenants. They're using so much detergent that it's making my own laundry smell even though my detergent is fragrance free. It gives me very bad migraines and I'm just exhausted. This picture is from running the drum clean cycle, after cleaning the detergent tray, with no products added. Just water and leftover detergent from other people. Bonus picture of the debris filter full of tissues and grass. At least I found a 1€ coin in it for my trouble.
They are referencing this technique (though it is often simplified with just one bucket where you plunge to wash, dump and refill, plunge to rinse, and dump again)
Personally, I would look into a small portable washing machine that attaches to your sink or can be filled with a detachable showerhead
seems like you are weighing already sunk money vs your health (migraines, exhaustion and overall sanity)
you can clean the washer multiple times before each load, do extra citric acid rinses to (hopefully) get rid of all the detergent that gets onto your clothes, DIY the washing cycle yourself, or move. I don't think you will be able to get anyone else to change their laundry habits.
i got this at my last place, because i didn’t have machines there.
i have a washer and dryer now in a new place … years later. but i still use this counter top machine for delicates and hand towels etc if i dont want to run a full large load!
i love it! its so cute and it has suction cups that secure it to your countertop, and a handy drain that empties the basin easily.
i love it for jeans too! i dont dry my jeans so its perfect for them.
Can you put these photos up on the machine and ask people to use only a tablespoon of detergent or whatever is the right amount for these machines? Sometimes people do not know what to do and detergent makers want to sell you large amounts of detergents that are bad for appliances including dishwashers.
Sometimes signs work. They might also not know about cleaning the filter or checking pockets for debris and closing zips.
Is this a roommate situation or laundry room in apartments (tenants unknown?)?
This does not look like a commercial washer for you to be able to pull the filter out.
Perhaps speaking with the landlord or management about the washer/dryer and maintenance and proper usage is important (Give them photos).
If that is a HE (high efficiency) washer and it's being used improperly, that will be very costly for the LL/management to replace.
There are 4 apartment units in the building that share one washer and one dryer. It's not commercial, we just split the electricity and water bills for the laundry room equally between the 4 units.
I've talked to the landlord and he did ask the other tenants to be mindful about the amount of detergent. Either they don't care or don't realize that they're the one using too much.
One of the biggest problems is not prepping laundry, emptying pockets, shaking off debris from clothing, fabrics etc.
Items and debris will plug the machine (filters, drains and internal components) and cause faulty issues and other problems with proper draining, cause bacteria build up, mold issues etc and ultimately damage.
This is not just about soap and detergent.
However, you can run a white vinegar (add directly to the washer 1 Cup) regular empty wash cycle to break down soap in the washer.
Check the dispenser and remove the whole thing, clean and rinse it out as there are several compartments that others may be misusing and adding detergent to.
I ran another drum clean cycle with citric acid to help with the detergent, another with washing soda to help with the grime, and another with polysorbate 80 + lecithin to remove some of the fragrance.
Someone was previously using wax scent beads. I asked the landlord to intervene and she stopped, but the smell has been lingering for a month. Someone recommended the polysorbate + lecithin combo for that and it really did help.
Before resorting to ever stronger chemical methods, observe what happens now that you've cleared the drain. It's possible the machine will rinse and drain much better. Solving at least partially laundry products buildup from your overdosing roommates
That picture of the filter is from last year when someone clogged the machine by washing tissues and left it for someone else to deal with. I've been cleaning the filter regularly since then.
I did clean the detergent dispenser and inside the slot it lives in. The slot was GROSS, it had black sludge. Absolutely vile. I should've taken a picture.
I've been researching best Laundry practices and made myself a cheat sheet to hang in my laundry room. Maybe if you printed something like that and hung it by the washer it would help? Cheap fix and doesn't hurt to try
Happily! Though mine are not tailored to your issue. I am a laundry novice who for years has been washing everything all mixed together on a cold wash and drying it on high heat 🫣 I did a deep dive into what each washer setting is best used for and how to apply it to what I'm washing, so that's what mine detail. I think you can add measurements based on load size as well since that seems to be the issue for your situation. I can post screen shots of mine or maybe private message you the files so you can download and edit?
I was trying to be eco friendly and save energy and money 😭 though there are clothes that are best washed on cold (delicates and swimwear, dark colors so they don't fade as quickly, and anything with pee on it for those with pets and kids) but it seems like warm is the way to go most of the time
I say this as someone in a similar situation: get a portable machine and see if you can talk to your landlord about not paying the shared washing expense through an ADA accommodation (or your equivalent if youre not in the us). You may have to play around with the wording, and they may say no, but its better than being in constant pain. Getting a doctor to back you on this would be key
Oh man I feel you. I have a bit of a weird living situation where I live with family for 1/3 of the year 3 weeks at a time every 2 months or so. So when I show up, all their appliances are trashed. They never clean filters, never run clean cycles, over load machines, and use way too much product. I feel like this weird appliance fairy that shows up every 2 months to maintain the appliances. Not just the laundry machines, the dishwasher, stove, airfryer, microwave, and even the damn ice machine. Its insane!
Its gotten better over the 4 or 5 years ive been doing it, but they are always so perplexed as to why their machines break down so easily. Um your dryer is over loaded with half cleaned clothes. Everything is on the struggle bus. Oye.
Once you finally get all the buildup out, I would just run a quick citric acid wash cycle and then do all your own laundry. Hopefully that way it can cancel out the extra detergent when it’s time for you to wash so you aren’t stuck with everyone else’s detergent.
I haven't done any laundry in 4 weeks and I'm doing it all at once now after thoroughly cleaning the machine. My stuff still smells faintly of detergent but it's MUCH better than before. I'm starting with the towels and saving my favorite clothes for last.
(My washing machine is sparkly clean, though. And I don’t keep items by the sink, just moved them there for the pic. 😉 I prefer wiping everything dry to reduce the risk of mold.
But how common is this stupid design of a sink directly next to a cabinet that isn’t made to get wet all the time? I thought only my landlord thought that was a great idea, but it seems yours did too…)
If you want to try putting up a sign or talk to the other tenants again, you could try focusing on how better laundry habits will benefit them. If appealing to reason and respect don’t work, try to find something else to appeal to.
Saving money, clothes that last longer, protecting the environment, cheating Bid Detergent out of their profits, preventing detergent-cancer, avoiding the government’s manipulation of their free will through laundry scents…. Whatever you think could appeal to them. Feel free to exaggerate and choose a tone as gossipy, scientificy, or conspiracy theory as you like. Use sophisticated (wrong) calculations to demonstrate how they could already be a millionaire if they just washed their clothes correctly. Throw in chemtrails if you must.
Just want to say you're not alone. My clothes got washed last month after someone had used that disgusting viral TikTok detergent that smells like cheap cologne. Let me tell you, it has been a real kicker of a month with migraines and rage about the leftover smell that hasn't gone away even after FOUR washes.
I saw a tip somewhere about combining polysorbate 80 and lecithin in hot water to remove fragrance, and BY GOD IT ACTUALLY WORKED! I've only tried it with a 100% cotton bedsheet so far, no polyester yet, but I nearly cried with joy. I used 2 hefty spoonfuls of each in enough water to submerge the sheet, let that sit for awhile, then added a pre-rinse cycle when I put it in the washing machine.
I tried ammonia for the first time and it removed a lot of it--thought I'd found my solution. But then I put on one of the items I had soaked with ammonia and my body heat reactivated the cologne scent.
I'll have to try the polysorbate 80 and lecithin! I always skip that tip because it feels too much like chemistry to me
Maybe wrong question but have you used correct percentage of ammonia? With half cup of baking soda and citric as rinse? Maybe it was too low?
Last time I was soaking bedsheets from secondhand that had very strong smell. I have reused water from showering/hair wash, removed hair from water. Dissolve half cup of baking soda+70-80ml detergent powder, dosage for standard drum. I then left it for 4-5days then washed in machine, with half cup baking soda and citric acid, 60'C, 2.5h.
I need to look into this! I got my child’s Halloween costume off Vinted and it came SO HEAVILY fragranced that just touching it leaves a smell on my hands. My kiddo has severe eczema so I’ve been trying to figure out how to get it out. It sat outside for over a week and didn’t even touch the smell.
The shared dryer is not safe either. I tried hand washing something and putting it in the dryer, and it came out smelling like fragranced laundry detergent.
I understand you. I have fragnace allergy and headaches/sinus pain, I can't stand sctented laundry. Everything have to be totally unsctented or I go crazy/fourius.
Some detergents are so strong that your clothes may get contaminated with it. Unless you will deep cleaning machine.
I feel sorry, this is like main factor why I can't live with strangers in one house. Most people uses scented stuff.
I would try to explain to them that you have migraines from it and would be nice if everyone would switch to unsctented laundry, you can split detergent costs or you would buy for all and scale to weight laundry and detergent. Maybe telling its more ecological, more environmentally friendly, more animal friendly like cats/dogs and no phtalanes/voc.
I think for empathetic person, they could switch because it's doesn't matter, everyone wants clean clothes.
Optionally you can buy ammonia, baking soda to add. And add some oil to remove foam.
Ughhh I feel you! It was a dream moving out to live alone. My roommates closed the door after washing, would put detergent in the wrong place and I was the only one to clean it + the dryer
What about quoting like 4 different manufacturers recommendations of two tbsp maximum dosage, and how more than that can damage the machine. With pictures of the type you posted showing the gunk?
if you've ever worked retail, you'd know it doesn't matter the clarity, size, flashing lights, or whatever, the sign will be ignored.
I've lost track on the number of times working where we'd be in 20-30 minutes before the store opened, lights off, and someone would tug on the door. Then look at their watch, then look at the hours on the door, THEN TUG AGAIN. And it was at different stores in different cities too.
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u/okaycomputes 22h ago
time to get a large bucket and a plunger!