Penny Lane Domestic Appliances

Help and Advice

Provided below are helpful advice to washing machines and washing problems

By following our advice you can prolong the life of your

washing machine, and improve the results of your wash

How to clean a smelly washing machine My washing machine has stopped working mid cycle? Don't wash bath mats in your washing machine The correct way to use liquid detergent liquid Care symbols on clothing labels Is Fabric softener necessary? Can I wash a Duvet in my washing machine? What is Oxy bleach stain remover? The safe way to machine wash Bras Don't wash Trainers in your washing machine The Energy efficiency label, explained What is the WEEE Directive? I've lost a sock in my washing machine Front-loading vs Top-loading How to connect a washing machine

How to clean a smelly washing machine

There's an unpleasant smell coming from the inside of my washing machine?

If you always select cool 30°C - 40°C Quick-wash programmes and only use Non-Bio detergent, Liquid detergent, Liquid tablet, Eco-friendly detergents or any other detergent that doesn’t contain Oxygen bleach. This will cause a build up of softener, detergent, dirt and grease creating a breeding ground for Bacteria; very unpleasant smells can form inside your washing machine - in turn the unpleasant smells can be transferred to the laundry itself. Regular 90°C Maintenance washes Two to three times a year, simply wash cotton Tea towels on the hottest 90°C wash programme with the ' Intensive wash and the Extra rinse ' options (if your machine has those functions) with a Biological powder detergent that contains Oxygen bleach. Alternatively, you can use your normal detergent with two scoops of Oxygen bleach powder additive.

My washing machine has stopped working mid cycle?

You can wash the same items for years, then one day for no apparent reason your washing machine stops working mid cycle – or refuses to complete the final spin Unbalanced load Our customers are always concerned about damaging their washing machine by overloading; what causes more damage than overloading your machine is washing just one large heavy item by itself, or one heavy item with a number of light items. Washing just one large heavy item will often cause an unbalance load; if your machine detects an unbalance load it will abort, or, stop working mid cycle - because washing machines are designed to protect themselves from the potential damaged that an unbalanced load would cause.

Don't wash bath mats in your washing machine

Excessive strain on your washing machine Although, the care instructions on bath mats will often say you can wash them in a washing machine. We'd advice you don't; because washing bath mats can cause major damage to your machine by putting excessive strain on your machines components, plus the possibility of causing an unbalanced load. We've seen many of our customers washing machines completely wrecked by washing bath mats

The correct way to use liquid detergent

You may think using Liquid detergent in your washing machine is simple, but you could be doing it all wrong? If you pour the liquid detergent into your washing machines Soap drawer; most of the liquid detergent could go astray in the machines soap drawer compartment and Sump hose, completely bypassing the drum and your laundry. Greatly reducing the effectiveness of the liquid detergent. The correct way to use liquid detergent in your washing machine is to pour the liquid into a Dosing Ball. Place the dosing ball on top and the back of the laundry; this will prevent the liquid from settling in the machines hoses.

Care symbols on clothing labels

A explanation of what all of the care symbols mean The care instructions on clothing labels are there to help you wash, dry and iron your clothes effectively without damaging them - however, they can be confusing so here is a explanation of what all the care symbols mean.

Is Fabric softener necessary?

Originally, the only purpose for using Fabric softener was to reduce static cling in synthetic fabrics Liquid fabric softener works by coating the surface of the cloth fibres with a thin layer of chemicals; these chemicals have lubricant properties and are electrically conductive. Making fibres feel smoother and preventing build-up of static electricity in synthetic fabrics. The disadvantage The disadvantage of coating natural fibres by a chemical layer is in decreasing the water absorption properties of the fabric, which may be undesirable in towels. Most good quality all-cotton towels do not require to be treated with Fabric softener; with repeated washing and drying they become softer naturally.

Can I wash a Duvet in my washing machine?

Excessive strain on your washing machine Although, the care instructions on a Duvet will often say you can wash it in a washing machine; some machines even have a ' Duvet wash programme.' We'd advice you don't, because washing a Duvet can cause major damage to your washing machine by putting excessive strain on your machines components – plus the possibility of causing an unbalanced load. Even if your machine doesn't become totally unbalanced; the Duvet wouldn't clean properly, because it would completely fill the drum leaving no space to fall into when the drum tumbles.

What is Oxy bleach stain remover?

Oxy bleach, or, Oxygen bleach are common terms for Sodium per-carbonate Oxygen bleach is a cleaning agent; in powder form is usually part of a Biological detergent, and also sold separately as a additive with names like Oxy-power, Oxi-clean or Oxi-action stain remover that can be safely used in your Washing machine.

The safe way to machine wash Bras

Separated under-wires Before washing Bras in your washing machine always check the Bras for damaged and worn edges - because the Bras under-wires can cause damage to your machine. Also, the separated under-wires can break up into small pieces and block the Pump. Consider using a protective zip-up mesh laundry bag, or a pillowcase A protective zip-up mesh laundry bag, will protect your delicate Bras from being stretched out, and if your Bras are under-wired it protects the under-wires from being twisted and puncturing the garments material.

Don't wash Trainers in your washing machine

Washing your trainers in a washing machine would seem like a quick and easy way to clean them; some machines even have a ' Shoes wash programme ' Trainers are too heavy – whilst being tossed around the tumbling drum they can drop down onto the plastic drum paddles and Completely detach one, or all three of the paddles. If you try using your machine without drum paddles; your laundry will be stuck at the bottom of the drum, because the paddles won't be there to lift and move the laundry around in the tumbling drum.

The Energy efficiency label, explained

The Energy efficiency rating makes it very easy to make a like-for-like comparison when choosing a new energy efficient washing machine A rating for the highest efficient and G for low efficiency, Also on the label you'll find symbols showing the machines Wash capacity, 60°C Cotton wash cycle duration, Water consumption, Spin performance and the Noise level.

What is the WEEE Directive?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive The Directive requires European countries to maximise separate collection and environmentally friendly processing of these items, legislation aims to make producers pay for the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electrical equipment. The regulations also means that suppliers of electrical equipment like us, the high street stores and internet retailers must allow consumers to return their waste electrical equipment free of charge.

I've lost a sock in my washing machine?

Losing a sock in your washing machine is one of those most annoying of things Possibly: Your lost sock is still inside the drum, the door seal or maybe in the Pump filter? Also look just inside the door seal, your lost sock could be hiding there. The simplest way to avoid losing socks in your washing machine is to put all your socks in a protective zip-up mesh laundry bag.

Front-loading vs Top-loading

Two different methods of washing laundry - Which is the more efficient? Front-loading machines use 60% less water than the average top-loader which means less water has to be heated; as 80 - 90% of the energy used by a washing machine goes towards heating the water.

How to connected a Washing machine

Instructions for how to connect your washing machine in four steps

Step 1: Remove the 4 transit bolts Step 2: Connecting the water Step 3: Draining the waste water Step 4: Levelling the machine

Separated under-wires

Why do we have help and advice pages? We pride ourselves on being one of the finest washing machine repair businesses in Liverpool. However, we don't want you to pay for repairs if you can avoid it.

Dolly-peg and wash tub Wash days in the 19th century were really hard work for the women; they had to physically twist the wooden Dolly-peg back and forth in the metal wash tub to scrub the dirt out of their family’s laundry.

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Help and Advice

Provided below are helpful advice to washing machines and washing problems By following our advice you can prolong the life of your machine, and improve the results of your wash

How to clean a smelly

washing machine

If you always select cool 30°C - 40°C Quick-wash programmes and only use Non-Bio detergent, Liquid detergent, Liquid tablets, Eco-friendly detergents or any other detergent that doesn’t contain Oxygen bleach. This will cause a build up of softener, detergent, dirt and grease creating a breeding ground for Bacteria; very unpleasant smells can form in your washing machine - in turn the unpleasant smells can be transferred to the laundry itself. A gradual build up of dirt, grease and Bacteria will also cause sections of the door seal to turn discoloured and black. Two to three times a year, simply wash cotton Tea towels on the hottest 90°C wash programme with the ' Intensive wash and the Extra rinse ' options (if your machine has those functions) with a Biological powder detergent that contains Oxygen bleach. Alternatively, you can use your normal detergent with two scoops of Oxygen bleach powder additive.

My washing machine

has stopped working

mid cycle?

You can wash the same items for years, then one day for no apparent reason your washing machine stops working mid cycle – or refuses to complete the final spin. Unbalanced load Our customers are always concerned about damaging their washing machine by overloading. What will cause more damage than overloading your machine is washing one large heavy item by itself – or one heavy item with a number of light items. Washing just one large heavy item will often cause an unbalance load; if your machine detects an unbalance load it will abort, or, stop working mid cycle - because washing machines are designed to protect themselves from the potential damaged that an unbalanced load would cause.

Don't wash bath

mats in your washing

machine

Although, the care instructions on bath mats will often say you can wash them in a washing machine. We'd advice you don't, because washing bath mats can cause major damage to your washing machine by putting excessive strain on your machines components – plus the possibility of causing an unbalanced load. We've seen many of our customers washing machines completely wrecked by washing bath mats

Care symbols on

clothing labels

The care instructions are there to help you wash, dry and iron your clothes effectively without damaging them. However, they can be confusing; so here is a explanation of what all the care symbols mean.

Is Fabric softener

necessary?

Originally, the only purpose for using Fabric softener was to reduce static cling in synthetic fabrics. It isn't required at all when washing natural fabrics Liquid fabric softener works by coating the surface of the cloth fibres with a thin layer of chemicals; these chemicals have lubricant properties and are electrically conductive. Making fibres feel smoother and preventing build-up of static electricity in synthetic fabrics. The disadvantage The disadvantage of coating natural fibres by a chemical layer is in decreasing the water absorption properties of the fabric, which may be undesirable in towels. Most good quality all-cotton towels do not require to be treated with Fabric softener;with repeated washing and drying they become softer naturally.

Can I wash a duvet in

my washing machine?

Although, the care instructions on a Duvet will often say you can wash it in a washing machine; some machines even have a ' Duvet wash programme.' We'd advice you don't, because washing a Duvet can cause major damage to your washing machine by putting excessive strain on your machines components. It wouldn't clean properly Even if your machine doesn't become totally unbalanced, the Duvet wouldn't clean properly, because it would completely fill the drum leaving no space to fall into when the drum tumbles.

What is Oxy bleach

stain remover?

Oxy bleach, or, Oxygen bleach are common terms for Sodium per-carbonate. Oxygen bleach is a cleaning agent; in powder form is usually part of a Biological detergent, and also sold separately as a additive with names like Oxy-power, Oxi-clean or Oxi-action stain remover that can be safely used in your Washing machine.

The safe way to

machine wash Bras

Before washing Bras in your washing machine always check the Bras for damaged and worn edges Separated under-wires Because the Bras under-wires can cause damage to your washing machine. Also, the separated under-wires can break up into small pieces and block the Pump. Consider using a Protective mesh laundry bag This will protect your delicate Bras from being stretched out, and if your Bras are under-wired it protects the under-wires from being twisted and puncturing the garments material.

Don't wash Trainers

in your washing machine

Washing your trainers in a washing machine would seem like a quick and easy way to clean them; some machines even have a ' Shoes wash programme. ' Trainers are too heavy – whilst being tossed around the tumbling drum they can drop down onto the plastic drum paddles and Completely detach one, or all three of the paddles.

The Energy efficiency

label, explained

The Energy efficiency rating makes it very easy to make a like-for-like comparison when choosing a energy efficient new washing machine A rating for the highest efficient and G for low efficiency, Also on the label you'll find symbols showing the machines Wash capacity, 60°C Cotton wash cycle duration, Water consumption, Spin performance and the Noise level.

What is the WEEE

Directive?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) The Directive requires European countries to maximise separate collection and environmentally friendly processing of these items. The legislation aims to make producers pay for the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electrical equipment. The regulations also means that suppliers of electrical equipment like us, the high street stores and internet retailers must allow consumers to return their waste electrical equipment free of charge.

I've lost a sock in my

washing machine?

Losing a sock in your washing machine is one of those most annoying of things Possibly, your lost sock is still inside the drum, the door seal or maybe in the Pump filter? Socks, especially children's socks somehow manage to get themselves caught in the gap between the moving inner drum and the door seal, and can get pulled into the machine. Check the Pump filter, hopefully your sock has ended up in there without being damaged. The simplest way to avoid losing socks in your washing machine is to put all your socks in a Protective zip-up mesh laundry bag.