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© 2024 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 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 detergen
Is Fabric softener
necessary?
Can I wash a Duvet in my
washing machine?
The safe way to machine
wash Bras
Don't wash Trainers in
your washing machine
I've lost a sock in my
washing machine
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 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
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.
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 washing machine doesn't
become totally unbalanced, the Duvet
wouldn't clean properly, because a Duvet
would completely fill the drum leaving no
space to fall into when the drum tumbles.
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.
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.
Penny Lane
Domestic Appliances
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.
Also, read our guides to: