Which Washing Tablets/powder Do People Use When Washing Fleece?

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funnehmare

funnehmare

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Out of interest what washing tablets/powder do people use when washing their fleece? My fleece takes quite a number of washes before it starts to wick - it is the same wherever I source my fleece from (my suppliers or shop bought) - so I was thinking maybe it is the washing tablets I am using which are slow to break down the waterproof layer. I remember reading somewhere that some tablets/powder contain ingredients which inhibit the wicking process.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated :))

Oh, almost forgot, I currently use persil as some others make me itch, but I can use other brands in the same machine with no problems so if there's a better option for piggie stuff I can use two different brands.
 
It's fabric softeners that prevent wicking. Non-bio washing powders are less effective than biological generally speaking (due to biological mechanism and bleaching agents) but I don't know what impact that has on the fleece. When I used fleece I just used standard persil and didn't have an issue with it though sometimes I also used napisan to sterilise. White vinegar is also something that a lot of people use but I've never tried it.

Microfleece is thinner and denser than standard anti-pill fleece and wicks better - it shouldn't need washing to promote this as it's a natural property of the material. Other types of fleece are naturally hydrophobic and will repel water, doing the opposite of what's needed. When testing the wicking properties, remember the fleece will also only wick one way (from the right side to the wrong side) and it needs something absorbent underneath for the moisture to pass into.

There are also other wicking materials that could be used to create cage liners such as wicking jersey, it's maybe an area that should be considered more.
 
Hermes said:
It's fabric softeners that prevent wicking. Non-bio washing powders are less effective than biological generally speaking (due to biological mechanism and bleaching agents) but I don't know what impact that has on the fleece. When I used fleece I just used standard persil and didn't have an issue with it though sometimes I also used napisan to sterilise. White vinegar is also something that a lot of people use but I've never tried it.

Microfleece is thinner and denser than standard anti-pill fleece and wicks better - it shouldn't need washing to promote this as it's a natural property of the material. Other types of fleece are naturally hydrophobic and will repel water, doing the opposite of what's needed. When testing the wicking properties, remember the fleece will also only wick one way (from the right side to the wrong side) and it needs something absorbent underneath for the moisture to pass into.

There are also other wicking materials that could be used to create cage liners such as wicking jersey, it's maybe an area that should be considered more.
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Omg I was having I was having issues with my cage liner I made I didnt realise it had to be a certain way up. Which side wicks? Ie which was ul should it have been? If mine is wrong way I neex to find out asap as was planning on making more. The layers I used was fleece then 100% cotton mattress topper than wadding then shower curtain all sewn together.
 
I did notice before making my items (I washed three times before I constructed it) one side was slightly rougher but could figure out which side was which. I just thought it was a looks thing not affecting wicking :(
 
I just use supermarket own brand non bio and white vinegar in the rinse instead of fab softener. The vinegar is an odour neutraliser. Mine clean up fine and smell fine.
 
i use the co-op own brand non-bio. either the liquid or the powder. both work well, smell nice and are cruelty free :)
 
You can tell the right side of the fleece by stretching the selvedge, it curls to the right side, that's the side you want on top. There is also a slight difference in appearance and texture the right side is slightly fluffier and less bobbly in appearance (if that makes any sense!).
 
Hermes said:
You can tell the right side of the fleece by stretching the selvedge, it curls to the right side, that's the side you want on top. There is also a slight difference in appearance and texture the right side is slightly fluffier and less bobbly in appearance (if that makes any sense!).
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Okay, I may have got that wrong, it may wick better the other way (wrong to right)! Perhaps we should have a test!
 
funnehmare said:
Out of interest what washing tablets/powder do people use when washing their fleece? My fleece takes quite a number of washes before it starts to wick - it is the same wherever I source my fleece from (my suppliers or shop bought) - so I was thinking maybe it is the washing tablets I am using which are slow to break down the waterproof layer. I remember reading somewhere that some tablets/powder contain ingredients which inhibit the wicking process.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated :))

Oh, almost forgot, I currently use persil as some others make me itch, but I can use other brands in the same machine with no problems so if there's a better option for piggie stuff I can use two different brands.
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I'm going to answer the original question about washing powder. I use unscented as I find a lot of modern washing powders have a very prominent scent which may be nice to humans but I don't know what guinea pigs think of it. I'm not recommending a brand - but I think most supermarkets only sell the one brand.

This thread has thrown up some other interesting facts. I had never thought of using white vinegar in the final rinse - I may give that a try.

Also , I was unaware that fleece needed to be a certain way up. Most of the fleece I have used has a pattern to it so I have put it the right way up because of the pattern. That was fortunate.
 
@Hermes I have to say I've not thought about wicking jersey before! Funny really since fabric is how I make my bread and butter :mal:. I've found it isn't so much that I can't get my fleece to wick just that it seems to take quite a few washes to get to that stage. I think I'll have to give another brand a go, I remember reading somewhere that some tablets contain some of the chemicals used in fabric softener products and such can inhibit the wicking process.

@VickiA I think I'll have to have a go using white vinegar with the next lot of fleece liners I make, till now I've not thought about adding it in.

@Briony_S I've always known it as rolling to the wrong side but it seems to vary from fleece to fleece and many sources will sight different opinions on this. The best option is as Hermes says is to test which side wicks the fastest and then have that as the side facing up.

@PiggieOwner patterns sure make it easier!
 
biscandmatt said:
fleece has a right and wrong side?! i never knew that!
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No idea this was the case will have to check :( I make my own wash gel i have used it for my hedgehogs fleece and the guineas with no problems and it gets the bedding clean.
 
i just wash mine at 60 degrees with vinegar. Gets the smell out and seems clean. Is this okay or should i be using powder
 
madguinealady said:
i just wash mine at 60 degrees with vinegar. Gets the smell out and seems clean. Is this okay or should i be using powder
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I recall other people saying they don't use any washing powder - so , you're not the only one. Personally, I like to use a bit of detergent.
 
madguinealady said:
i just wash mine at 60 degrees with vinegar. Gets the smell out and seems clean. Is this okay or should i be using powder
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Given that white vinegar is a natural cleanser and has disinfecting I would have thought it would be fine :)
 
I use white vinegar and 60 degrees. As @funnehmare says it's naturally antibacterial and kills germs dead. My OH uses HALO pet bed wash as kills 99% of germs incl listeria etc. Safe for animals has a faint fresh smell and makes fleece wick brilliantly although it's very hard to get hold of lately. He uses this esp after one of our chins contracted pyometra.
 
i've used vinegar in the final rinse, but didn't know you can use it for actual washing. will be giving that a try aswell :)
 
Does anyone know the best place to get a large amount of white vinegar? I can only ever find a small spray bottle and that isn't really enough!
 
theoretikos said:
Does anyone know the best place to get a large amount of white vinegar? I can only ever find a small spray bottle and that isn't really enough!
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Fishmongers sell it or at least the ones near me do so that may be worth a try
 
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