Women, I need your help!

Captain Ginger

Well since us blokes are horribly useless at all this jazz, I have a question about that weird contraption you ladies call a washing machine.

I have a few blazers that have got a bit mucky as of late and I really don't want to spend a couple of hundred euro in the dry cleaners, so I was wondering, is it possible to wash and iron them without destroying them, if so should I use a very cold wash or what?

Any help would be great, (and I know it might be a bit sexist to post this here, but let's face it, us men are idiots when it comes to this.)

justsomebloke

hey I'm a bloke and I know how to use a washing machine, actually as they are now all electronical it comes under the blokes remit to know how it works without having to look at the manual

anyway here is a link to the home appliance forum http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1044 if you ask nicely maybe they can help you or maybe you could just go home and ask your mammy :rolleyes:

Captain Ginger

Aye I know about that section, just wanted to ask a question on what settings I should be using (or if I should be using it at all), and I figured this would be the best section, I have no issue with using a washing machine, it's just I'm not sure what to do with the blazers and figured since women have so many types of clothing they would know all the tips and tricks to help me with my problem.

And asking my mother isn't an option for me...

Creamy Goodness

erm how many blazers do you have, it cost < 10 euro per blazer in my dry cleaners.

if they are of expensive quality i wouldn't put them in the washing machine.

NextSteps

Can the OP be banned for being sexist, please?

Twee.

Read the washing instructions on the label?

Reku

Twee. wrote: »

Read the washing instructions on the label?

Indeed, even when I was a little kid I knew this much.

Thumpette

Ridiculously sexist- coming onto the ladies lounge to ask how to wash your clothes! grrr

LadyE

I would soak them in lukewarm water and washing powder (and vanish!) for a bit and then put them on a 30degree cycle (short cycle too!).

I would also air dry them (on the line!) because the tumble drier would damage them!

Dont think you should iron them, unless label says its ok, but if you hang them on coathangers when they are drying most of the creases will fall out.

Otherwise, stick them in the bathroom when your inthe shower and let the steam do all the work!

HTH!

Dizzyblonde

Whatever you do, don't put an iron directly onto them after they dry. If you're very good at ironing, put something like a cotton handkerchief on top and iron through this.
If you're not good at ironing you'll have to leave them in to the dry cleaners to be pressed which is much less expensive than cleaning.

NextSteps

Boilwash then hot iron. Use about 3 cups of bleach. Should sort you out.

DonalN

ah give the lad a break - he posted here looking for advice in a courteous, polite and mannerful way.

Fair play to those who offered advice...the rest of ye, retract those claws!!

As for washing machines, all I know is, throw em in for 40deg rapid wash, and it's all good!!

Thumpette

Ugh- why are ye replying! Fueling the stereotype!

Twee.

Also it's 2008, not the 50s! I know a number of my female mates who wouldn't have a clue where to start with washing, ironing or the dishwasher! I for one, however, am a domestic goddess in training:pac:

DonalN

Thumpette wrote: »

Ugh- why are ye replying! Fueling the stereotype!

They are just being helpful. Give it a go, feels great!!:D

The Sweeper

Folks, pay close attention to this:

Despite the fact that some of you find it unreasonable that the OP posted his thread here, I will ban anybody else that berates the OP for asking advice on how to wash a specialist item without taking it to the dry cleaners.

It is a fact of life that someone with such a question is far more likely to get a useful response from a large group of women - not one woman, a large group of them - than they would from asking a large group of blokes. If you ask 20 women how to wash a woollen jumper, a shrinkage disaster is less likely to ensue than asking the same question of 20 blokes.

Personally I find it offensive that someone would belittle the skills involved in the washing, ironing, mending and preservation of clothing in good condition by considering it a skill beneath their notice just because they're a woman.

tallaght01

washing machine related bannings aside......OP I use the same setting to wash EVERYTHING i own.

There's a "quick wash" button on my washing machine. Takes about 40mins and does the job no probs. It's the only button I really no how to use. If I have blood or other bodily fluids on my clothes I do the mad crazy heat wash, but usually "quick wash" is a man's best friend

justsomebloke

Minesajackdaniels wrote: »

Folks, pay close attention to this:

Despite the fact that some of you find it unreasonable that the OP posted his thread here, I will ban anybody else that berates the OP for asking advice on how to wash a specialist item without taking it to the dry cleaners.

It is a fact of life that someone with such a question is far more likely to get a useful response from a large group of women - not one woman, a large group of them - than they would from asking a large group of blokes. If you ask 20 women how to wash a woollen jumper, a shrinkage disaster is less likely to ensue than asking the same question of 20 blokes.

Personally I find it offensive that someone would belittle the skills involved in the washing, ironing, mending and preservation of clothing in good condition by considering it a skill beneath their notice just because they're a woman.

but is it not more a case of not what you say but how you say it. I think rather then the subject it is the way it was asked that people are having a problem with

Twee.

tallaght01 wrote: »

washing machine related bannings aside......OP I use the same setting to wash EVERYTHING i own.

There's a "quick wash" button on my washing machine. Takes about 40mins and does the job no probs. It's the only button I really no how to use. If I have blood or other bodily fluids on my clothes I do the mad crazy heat wash, but usually "quick wash" is a man's best friend

Rinse with cold water for blood

tallaght01

Twee. wrote: »

Rinse with cold water for blood

really? straight away? or can their be a delay of a few hours? Problem is that the situations that result in me getting blood on my clothes usually mean I can't just run away and rinse me shirt. I'm usually caught up for a few hours.

Jules

jsb wrote: »

but is it not more a case of not what you say but how you say it. I think rather then the subject it is the way it was asked that people are having a problem with

And some people are far too sensitive. I don't believe the op ment any offense and i was happy with how the question was put.

and to be honest, i would of tried to say what MAJD said but it would of come out arse about face!

cuckoo

Captain Ginger - what does the label say? If you tell us what the fabric content is, and what the label tells you to do then we'd be able to give you better advice.

Also, what kind of stains are there? Would it be possible to spot clean them with a damp cloth, and then hang outside to air?

And - are these expensive blazers? I'm asking as it would be a false economy to ruin a 200e+ newish blazer in order to save 10e at the dry cleaners.

And...if you do decide to go to the dry cleaners try and get a few recs first, some dry cleaners are significantly better than others. And, if you're bringing in a few at once chance your arm and ask for a discount.

off topic: i wash everything at 30 degrees, things seem to be just as clean as they were after a 40 degree wash. is it just an Irish thing to wash everything in hot water? I've heard that in the US 'cold washes' are common - is that something to do with the top loading machines?

The Sweeper

tallaght01 wrote: »

really? straight away? or can their be a delay of a few hours? Problem is that the situations that result in me getting blood on my clothes usually mean I can't just run away and rinse me shirt. I'm usually caught up for a few hours.

Ecover make a stain remover specially designed (and earth-friendly) for protein-based stains. It's just called stain remover, comes in a little white bottle with a pink lid. FTW. You brush it into dried in bloodstains and leave for a few minutes before putting the item in a normal wash. Works like a dream.

PurplePrincess

Men of TLL, be not afraid of the washing machine. With these two in your laundry toolbox you won't go wrong.

chopperbyrne

Everyone should be doing all their washes on 30 degrees now anyway!

Think of your carbon footprint people!

jos28

There is no point in making recommendations without knowing what the label says. I imagine that blazers are probably dry clean only. If this is the case, take Cuckoo's advice and do a deal with the dry cleaners. Some of them have special offers mid week, 2 for 1 etc. Do not put them into a machine without checking the instructions on the label.

Jules

PurplePrincess wrote: »

Men of TLL, be not afraid of the washing machine. With these two in your laundry toolbox you won't go wrong.

QTF! my colour catchers!

Madame Razz

NO NO NO to the washing machine idea!!

Even if you can wash them; [EMAIL="you@ll"]you'll[/EMAIL] never iron them right.

Dry cleaning isnt that expensive and will do the best job.

I spend a ridiculous amount on drycleaning as i have to wear suits every day. A male friend of mine sugeested that i should do what he does.... wash them and then get one of those steam machines to press them with.

Since he told me thsi is what he does i've paid more attention to his own blazers etc.....and believe me... its NOT a good idea.

Bite the bullet and find a good dry cleaners i say; some of them do have good deals; theres one in galway doing 3 items for 18yoyos at the minute; i'm sure you will find similar value in your own area.

Oh, and i don't think your asking on here was sexist; nobody can be expert on everything, better to ask than ruin you blazers;)

tallaght01

Thanks for th einfo about getting blood off me clothes, guys. You learn something new every day.

I was wondering how a group of girls know so much about bloodstains on clothes.....then the penny dropped :pac:

mwah mwha mwah mwha

Twee.

tallaght01 wrote: »

I was wondering how a group of girls know so much about bloodstains on clothes.....then the penny dropped :pac:

mwah mwha mwah mwha

I did a lol :pac:

For the blazer, is it really necessary to wash it? If you don't wanna dry clean it just hang it in the bathroom while you're in the shower, the steam will freshen it up.

Reku

tallaght01 wrote: »

I was wondering how a group of girls know so much about bloodstains on clothes.....

Well the ladette culture is on the rise, with young women becoming more and more likely to be involved in fights on a night out. Thankfully they've yet to prove the statistics that were showing that they'd surpass males in terms of aggressive behaviour though.;)