Wisk was always my go-to. It’s replacement, Persil, just doesn’t get dirt off my show clothes - so I imagine non-white things are also not getting really clean. I have typically hard florida water. What is YOUR go-to for the whites? (I don’t care about how good it smells - I want the clothes clean.) And I have a regular, top loading, agitator machine…
Shout. Bleach. Elbow grease.
are you using Persil for whites and hot, hot water?
I’m on well water and its very hard water. My go-to product is Calgon Water Softener. Use it in the dishwasher and the washing machine. Does wonders. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive. Available in powder and liquid (powder is cheaper).
https://www.amazon.com/Calgon-Liquid…/dp/B0056X2QC6
Edited to add - you add it to whatever detergent you use (not in lieu of detergent).
I use Persil and it cleans fine… maybe you need a frontloader
Tide with oxyclean booster if needed. I wash horse blankets and (if it’s a stable blanket, not a turn out, cuz it’ll kill waterproofing) it’s the only thing that takes out 6-month-set-in manure & pee stains. I also pre-treat with vinegar and let sit for about 10 minutes before washing.
I’ve found if whites continue to come out the wash dingy, it’s time to clean your washer. Most have a ‘sanitize’ setting… which is nothing more than a hi-water level, high agitation, super hot water, and I program several rinses. Also I add bleach or white vinegar I leave the washer closed for an hour after cleaning it and let the bleach permeated steam hopefully get in all the crevices of the washer. But usually when the washer is not in use, it’s kept open so it doesn’t mold up.
We have recently switched to Persil because with our well water it makes the whites whiter. We tried Resolve /Oxyclean and noticed no difference.
Thanks. Can’t use hot hot. This is an expensive Arista show shirt no bleach either. Also of course the fits breeches can’t get hot hot and even tho I pretreat the fabric parts the marks don’t come out ( not boot or Saddle or grass marks-just General “he rubbed on me” or “I put my arm down on a dusty rail” marks)
My washer is old and has no “sanitize” settings. Must be a new thing.
Will try the Calgon softener and tide. Come to think of it I used to add boraxo to soften the water.
And to add-it’s not the washer making the marks. They went into the washer in the fabric…
Orvus. Apply some directly to the stain and wash. Will even take out boot/saddle stains.
Another Tide and Oxyclean vote or there is some other detergent I can’t rememeber the name of that works really well, not typically seen in stores white container with green lettering I want to say “Uncle Jimmies” but we all know why and I know that is not it…ahhhh CHARLIES, thank you smartphone & google.
Try soaking the shirt in the Calgon in a bucket (or the washer) for a few hours/overnight before washing it.
And don’t forget to lower the amount of detergent you use if you are adding Calgon–it softens the water and makes the detergent super sudsy, which can be harder to rinse out and thus contribute to dinginess overall.
Pretreat the stains with an oxy-type stain remover and leave for a few minutes before washing. My favorite is an oxy bathroom cleaner spray- I ran out of the laundry type and used it in desperation. Worked better!
I like to buy the spray Oxi Clean and pretreat the stains, but then i also just take the cap off and dump a bunch of it in the washer with the clothes too. I’m not the best at housewife-ing lol
Amazing stuff. The detergent is fantastic and the oxygen whitener is better than Oxy. Environmetally responsible as well.
(Costco online also carries these if you want large quantities).
Have you tried old fashioned blueing? What I’ve found works well is to pour liquid detergent directly on the whites and rub it in thoroughly.
thanks all!! I already pretreat but usually with the detergent. As suggested, I used Tide, Oxy, AND Boraxo and Calgon… and the shirt and gloves are cleaner. I thought of Orvis but don’t have any… and I’l look for the bathroom Orvis, would love to get the saddle stains off saddlepads!
The Nellie’s looks really interesting!
For regular laundry, I use Arm & Hammer powdered laundry detergent. I can’t see paying for water…but it is hard to find as it seems no one sells powdered laundry detergent any more.
For dingy whites, I use Cascade dishwasher detergent. This is an old hippie trick for when you wanted stiff-as-a-board dark blue Levi jeans to look worn…takes the color right out.
Because dish detergent needs hot water, I will dissolve first it then pour it in to clothes washer.