Comments for Whitegoodshelp Blog

Comment on Holes in washing (laundry) by ali

ali — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:35:05 +0000

I have had this exact same problem with small holes, mostly in the front of thin, sometimes nearly new cotton and cotton stretch t-shirts. I have a Miele washer with a honeycomb drum.
I had a pest control specialist take the garments to some expert who looked at the holes microscopically (holes are the type where fabric is missing) and said that the holes were definitely not from moths or other bugs but from something mechanical weakening a thread in the fabric which then leads to a hole. It cannot be from a belt as my 7 year old’s t-shirts have them and he has never worn a belt.
That is as far as I have gotten in solving the mystery. New holes reappearing daily. Surely SOMEONE knows the cause ?

Comment on Tefal Quickcup Kettle (review) by Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:40:15 +0000

Since buying the QuickCup I’ve discovered a new kettle that lets you fill a small chamber to boil. This is also a potentially time saving and energy saving device although I don’t know how big the chamber is. I haven’t looked into it yet but some people may prefer that as an option as it will presumably still boil the water and save money by only boiling small amounts.

I would imagine the Quickcup will still be cheaper to run though and still quicker too. I’d recommend the Quickcup as an addition to the kitchen if not a direct kettle replacement although some (as you say yourself) will be happy to use it exclusively instead of a kettle. I would recommend people read the review to make sure they understand how it works and see if they can live with all its little quirks.

Comment on Tefal Quickcup Kettle (review) by Barry Ward

Barry Ward — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:03:29 +0000

“Could it be when the water has run out and air is drawn into the pump?”

No, I don’t think so. For me, the bubbles appear in every cup I make with the tea bag/coffee already in the cup. Yet every time I pour water into an empty cup they are not there. So, as far as I can make out, it is definitely something to do with how the water is poured straight onto the contents of the cup and how it reacts with it, rather than what’s happening in the kettle itself. However, I am no expert. With this little problem would you still recommend the kettle to others? I have done, but I have already had to explain this issue with it first.

Comment on Tefal Quickcup Kettle (review) by Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:06:17 +0000

Thanks Barry: I agree that it gives coffee a bit of a creamy look, which is fine. However, the minute bubbles on the top of my tea does look quite unappetising. I too have seen that when dispensing hot water alone (which I do when I want to be extra fastidious by pre-heating the cup) there does not seem to such a reaction. I can see lots of little bubbles but they soon disappear.

I have found that the “problem” doesn’t always appear, not sure what exact circumstances create the floating film. I should point out that I am pretty sure the scum-like cloud temporarilly floating in my tea is simply thousands of minute air bubbles whipped up into a froth and as you say they do disappear fairly quickly.

Comment on Tefal Quickcup Kettle (review) by Barry Ward

Barry Ward — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:11:17 +0000

Bit of an update with the bubbles- if you pour water into an empty cup, the bubbles aren’t created, so it must be how the water is poured onto the tea bag. From now on then, for tea I will pur the water into the cup before adding the tea bag.

Comment on I want a washing machine with a hot water valve by Nitch

Nitch — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:55:39 +0000

I’ve been running off the cold water in the hot water pipes (into watering cans etc for use elsewhere) until it gets warm before putting on the washing machine for years. I also switch off the cold water for the first 5 minutes, so the higher pressure doesn’t swamp the machine with cold. We have solar heated water. However, it looks like my 24 year old machine is finally giving up the ghost. I’m quite depressed to think its not worth using the free hot water if I get a new one, though I suppose the good news is that most people use much less energy to wash their clothes these days.

Comment on Tefal Quickcup Kettle (review) by Barry Ward

Barry Ward — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:50:46 +0000

Ever since owning one of these babies, I haven’t used my old kettle once. I think it’s great, and don’t mind the noise it makes. I don’t use the filter as I have good soft water where I am.
However, I must comment on what others have said too, about the bubbles. I too have a problem where the drink always ends up with lots of tiny bubbles floating on the surface. On Coffee it actually makes it look better, but on tea it makes it look less attractive, and actually makes it look like there is something in there you shouldn’t be drinking. However, it IS just tiny bubbles, and after a minute or so they are no-where to be seen. It’s just a little embarrassing when you have guests round and you have to explain what they are. Not so good when you are trying to show off your new marvel.
I checked this review out (and the comments that followed) in the hope that I wasn’t actually on my own, and at least I know now that I am not.
I do know that attaching the filter still ends up with the bubbles, so that isn’t the cause.
Great otherwise though.

Comment on Holes in washing (laundry) by Geoff

Geoff — Sat, 10 May 2008 21:06:41 +0000

I have experience holes in my Levis after washing. It doesn’t happen a lot, but just when they are getting “broken in” and looking good and feeling comfortable. It happens both with zippered and button-fly. I have a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II, large capacity machine. This was not an expensive washer, all I wanted was a good quality standard washer without all the bells and whistles. My latest theory, is that when I occassionally leave a few coins in the pocket, they could be rubbing holes in the denim.There are never holes in the pockets themselves, but I always find the quarters in the bottom of the washer, when the load is completed. Anyone else experience this?

Comment on Holes in washing (laundry) by Jackie

Jackie — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:21:12 +0000

As you say, the Miele drum is very kind to laundry and it falls away from the sides of the drum at the end of a wash cycle instead of being forced into the holes and needs to be pulled out. That is the main reason I bought the Miele after my experiences previously with damaged laundry.
I too feel it is unlikely the machine is causing the problem. But having worn a t-shirt one day with no holes, then it goes in for a wash-and as I am ironing it I find holes, just doesn’t make sense.
I have dozens of cotton t-shirts hanging in my wardrobe, some only worn on holidays. Today I have taken them all out and examined them carefully, apart from ones recently damaged there are no holes at all in any of the others???
Read your posts re moths and don’t feel that is the cause either, in my circumstances anyway. Very fastidious about cleaning, have no pets and feel lots of other items would show damage if they were present in my home.
One thing that has struck me though is……I have a natural wicker laundry basket that is kept in my bathroom. Obvious access via the weave for any munch-bunch insects to get in, between wearing and washing clothes. I wonder if we could do a survey amongst any of the other posters and see if we have this in common? Actually, I would think ALL laundry baskets have some sort of ventilation holes which would be accessible-maybe that is the answer we are all looking for????

Comment on Holes in washing (laundry) by Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:41:10 +0000

Jackie: thanks for revisiting this topic and for sharing your experience. The Miele honeycombed drum is reputed to be the most gentle on laundry available. I took some photos of it for my washing machine review ( Miele honeycomb drum )

Anyone interested in it can see that instead of having punched holes which are usually sharp at the other side of the drum it has a sculptured surface with quite small drilled holes. Miele say that because of the way the drum is designed during washing there is a thin film of water created between the laundry and the drum which cushions the laundry. I also know from experience that my own Miele washing machine does not leave the laundry stuck to the sides after spinning, whereas normal washing machines force the laundry (especially towels) through the holes during spin.

I think it is unlikely that your problem is caused by the washing machine.

Kevin posted a comment earlier regarding some larvae eating the laundry. He described how the material disappeared, which of course would be conducive to having been eaten away. Laundry damaged in a washing machine should have tears and cuts and not have smooth round holes with most of the material “eaten” away.

I hope someone can relay their experience on how to detect for sure, or how to at least get rid of any insect infestation that could be eating cotton clothing. Maybe there’s a case for trying some old fashioned moth balls?

Here’s the result of a quick bit of research on the subject -