Washing work clothes

[Pete.]

Old washing machine in the outside toilet (now a storage shed). Funnily enough we got a new machine because this one was getting noisy. Wife blamed my work gear but since putting this one outside a few years ago it's still going strong but we're on the second replacement indoors for normal clothes

 

[armalites]

My "playing clothes" as we called them as kids are often stinking of diesel,oil and dirty and they go in the wash no problem. I wear Dickies Eisenhower trousers, really tough but dry way quicker than jeans do. I have a couple of pairs and some polo shirts I got in Costco(they are really long which I like). On a sunny day they are all wearable within 1hr. In comparions jeans are a nightmare.

I've just got into the habit of washing them before they get too bad, there is something nice about a putting a fresh set of work clothes to start another project.

 

[awemawson]

I used to own several Launderettes, and when I closed one I retained one of the bigger machines and installed it in my workshop, as a young friend kept her horse here and wanted it for horse blankets. She's moved the horse on now but the machine is handy for really grubby stuff or for really big things, as it's one of the big 35 lb load machines.

Incidentally, we used to insist on two washes for really grubby stuff in the Launderettes. First to wash the clothes, and second to wash the machine.

 

[J1nx]

The secret as once told to me by a launderette owner is the banned ingredient of TSP, it was banned from commercial products as it removes oxygen from water or something similar but adding a teaspoon at home is perfectly legal.

This stuff will get rid of grease, tar etc like no new wonder cleaner additives. I'm sure a quick Google will bring up more info...

Try here:
https://mises.org/library/why-everything-dirtier

Can be bought on eBay, can't remember what I paid but sure it's cheaper than vanish type products and you really only need a small amount. I find if I add too much it certainly doesn't work better and can be a bit itchy.

 

[johnakay]

IS THIS IT?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=tri-sodium+phosphate&_frs=1

 

[johnakay]

with grinding etc my overalls get really gritty so I hand wash them before they go in the washer.
you'd be surprise how much dirt that comes out.

 

[J1nx]

IS THIS IT?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=tri-sodium+phosphate&_frs=1

Yes that looks to be the stuff, I keep mine in a vanish container as I buy the bags.
View media item 9618

 

[Pete.]

Many times I have hung my overalls on the heras fence on site and jet washed them, wrung them out and took them home to go in the wash.