Laundering alternatives

submitted by [deleted] from self.AskSaidIt

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[–][deleted] 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (8 children)

I think mine is on its deathbed and I probably use too much detergent anyway. That aside, there's totally a reason why the detergent is basic in nature. I'm just curious about other options that potentially work better. Oxyclean leaves a nasty, weirdly.. something smell that I can't place on everything that I've ever used it on, plus feels gross. There's a residual texture on items even after I've rinsed them like 4 times. Maybe that's just a me issue, I am extremely autismal about smells and textures.

[–]Node 3 insightful - 3 fun3 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 3 fun -  (7 children)

Wonder if the ozone can be applied before washing, as with dirty clothes hanging in an enclosed space, then put into the washer for the mechanical removal. I don't have residue problems, but am going to do a hanging experiment next time I wash clothes.

(I have a few industrial ozone generators.)

For using ozone to clean clothing, I'm imagining setting the washer on a 'churn' setting, with a filtered pump spraying the washwater as a mist into an O3 chamber, which then drains back into the washer.

The O3 chamber would be a 20 - 30 gallon container fed by the O3 generator, with outgoing air forced through a wettable air filter. The filtered washwater would be pumped through a fine mist nozzle to maximize its O3 capture in the chamber. Then the water with the extra oxygen molecule would drain back into the washer to attack more unwanted contamination.

Sounds like a super fun project, but you might want to try a different type of soap/detergent first. Definitely use less, and maybe a scent-free version. Add a drop or so of essential oil if you miss the scent.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (6 children)

Would you be up for running a soiled load as a regular washload first and then running the ozone afterwards to see if that makes any sort of difference too?

I haven't played with the machines before, but they sounded really interesting, and would honestly cut down significantly on detergent costs for less soiled runs. I may end up just getting a different washer though. I had my eye on a really swank front loader with a self clean option. My dog sheds an insane amount, so that's pretty useful-- even more so when the filters are easily accessible to get all the hair out before drying. Mine is past my waist, so between her and I there's hair intricately interlooped into everything in this house.

I've been looking at Puracy as a brand for detergent. When I'm out next, I think that I'll order some. Their shampoo and conditioner doesn't contain polyquaternines, silicones, sulfates, or other crap, and has a pH of 5.5-- which is perfect, and I use it as a body wash as well. I believe they've also got one of the substances from Inolex that I was researching before and had good impressions on. I've been happy with it, so I think that I want to expand into their product line further.

[–]Node 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/7037-KirklandSignatureUltraCleanPremiumLaundryDetergentFreeClear/

https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/6009-PuracyNaturalLaundryDetergentFreeClear/?formulation=6551

I'm not thrilled to learn about the 2-BROMO-2-NITROPROPANE-1,3-DIOL in my kirkland laundry soap. Puracy seems fairly decent, although their claims of excessive cleaning abilities seem a little exaggerated.

https://www.discountcleaningproducts.com/SONOZAIRE-630A-OZONE-GENERATOR-115-volt-50-60-hz-p/as36.htm

This is my biggest O3 generator. Looks like this on the inside. Air is sucked through those glass tubes which subject it to a high voltage that fries the air and adds an extra oxygen molecule onto O2, making it O3. That extra 'O' molecule wants badly to jump off onto an odor molecule and zap it to nothingness. Same with organic matter making up stains and odors on clothing.

The concept seems credible, although as someone who always built or modified my own equipment, I'm leery of such a tiny unit being sold at retail. Could be a good solution for people who don't build their own stuff. If you are a DIYer, you could probably do way better. Here are some reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/O3-Pure-Laundry-Washer-System/product-reviews/B00AUWTYN2

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 3 fun3 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 3 fun -  (4 children)

The one you've uploaded a picture of looks pretty neat. I'm not prepared to take on any DIY projects right now, not any that could potentially result in expensive failure anyway. I settled and got my new front load washer. I'm mildly concerned about things actually getting clean, considering how little water these things use. It seems like it's doing well enough, just have to figure out the learning curve with all of these additional functions.

[–]Node 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

What's a good washer these days?

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

I've washed so much laundry these past few days with the kids being sick with this or that. I picked up an LG smart front loader, of which I will likely never connect to wi-fi. It was pretty though, and it washes pretty well so far. I don't know if I can recommend any HE washer though.

[–]Airbus320 2 insightful - 3 fun2 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 3 fun -  (1 child)

Do you prefer 40c or 60c? I cleaned a huge pile yesterday too

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Probably closer to 40° honestly. 60° is a little too hot, and I think we only have the hot water heater set to heat at about 49° max. It's got a steam clean function that I haven't tried yet though, which is sort of neat.