All content © 199 - 2022 Penny Lane Domestic Appliances. - Brand logos and images for informational purposes only.
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 quick wash
programme and only use Non-bio powder
detergent, Liquid detergent, Liquid tablets
or any other detergent that doesn’t contain
Oxygen bleach.
This will cause a build up of dirt and
grease creating a breeding ground for
Bacteria, unpleasant smells can form in
your washing machine – warm weather
can make the smell even worse.
Two to three times a year,
simply wash white 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
Liquid detergent with two scoops of
Oxygen bleach powder additive.
My washing machine
has stopped working
mid cycle?
Overloading?
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.
Our customers are always concerned
about damaging their washing machine by
overloading. What causes more damage
than overloading the machine is washing
one large heavy item by itself – or one
large heavy item with a number of light
items.
Unbalanced load!
Don't wash bath
mats in your washing
machine
Although, the care label 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 washing
machines completely wrecked by
washing bath mats
Care symbols on
clothing labels
The care symbols are there to help you
clean, dry and iron your clothes effectively
without damaging them.
However, they can be confusing; so here
is a clear explanation of what they all
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 label on a Duvet will
often say you can wash it in a washing
machine; some machines even have a
special wash programme for Duvets.
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.
Sodium per-carbonate, a compound of
natural soda crystals and hydrogen
peroxide. When Oxygen bleach comes in
contact with water, a chemical reaction
occurs and the substance releases oxygen
producing bubbles that act to dislodge dirt
and stains.
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.
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 special wash programme for
Shoes.
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 new 2021 Energy
efficiency label,
explained
A labelling system within the European
Union was introduced in 1995 covering all
appliances. Labels ranging from A rating
for the highest efficient and D for low
efficiency; the system became more
complicated over time with ratings of A+,
A ++ and A +++ being added.
From the 1st March 2021 the confusing
A+++, A++ and A+ will be phased out and
the scale reset back to A to G. covers all
appliances.
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?
The first place to look for a lost sock is
inside the drum; moisture and centrifugal
force can hold a sock to the top and the
sides of the drum for several hours. Also
look just inside the door seal, your lost
sock could be hiding there.
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 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.
Also, with less water you'll only need to
use about a third of the amount of
detergent required by a top-loader.
The gentle tumbling action of a front-
loading machine is much easier on clothes
than the twisting action they receive in a
top-loader agitation - this means your
clothes will be cleaner and last longer.
How to connect a
washing machine
Instructions for how to connect
a 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
Penny Lane
Domestic Appliances