how do you neutralize bleach?

Question

I have to use a public Laundromat which is OK, but I have had problems with others who use bleach making splotches on my colors! I have no hookups in my apartment and you just can't tell what the other person used for detergent. Help.

Answer 1

I just let the washer fill up with water first.
I add my detergent when it's half way full, that way the rest of the running water can agitate the detergent and make the water nice and soapy.
Then when the washer is completely full, I put my clothes in and let them sit for a couple of minutes, then I close the lid and walk away.

I've used laundromats all my life and have never had a problem with bleach stains or problems with washing machines in general.

Answer 2

It is possible for there to be residual bleach left over in the drum, I've had many good clothes ruined because of this. Back when my dad used to wash my clothes (we didn't have a laundry for ourself, so he'd make the trip to the laundromat) there were a record number of blach stains. Thank goodness we now have our own washer and dryer, and I can wash my clothes for myself.

I figure you could either: run a rince cycle before you wash - that can be expensive though. You can wash your whites first, so that if theres any left over bleach, it wouldn't matter as much. But then that leaves you with the rest of your colours, which you probably won't want to risk putting in the same machine. Whatever you do, don't put your dark clothes in first. Having a light coloured shirt bleached isn't as bad as a spot on a pair of dark jeans.

Another note: I've noticed that most of the time staining occurrs more often not in the washer, but in the dryer. if theres any left over bleach on some of your whites, and you dry them with your colours, you could have some problems.

Landromats are no fun. I remember we used to have this really old washing machine that hooked up to our sink. My mom used to use it all the time, and it worked fine. Maybe you could find yourself one of those? Anyways, good luck!

Answer 3

Vinegar neutralizes bleach. I would make up a container of vinegar water and take some old wash cloths to wipe down the washer and the inside of the tub before you run water and put the clothes in. If you are getting splotches, most likely it is from spills near the opening of the washer coming in contact with your clothes as you load them in. Generally, detergent water neutralizes bleach also, so if you run the water and put the detergent in berore you add clothes, that should also help.

Answer 4

RE:
how do you neutralize bleach?
I have to use a public Laundromat which is OK, but I have had problems with others who use bleach making splotches on my colors! I have no hookups in my apartment and you just can't tell what the other person used for detergent. Help.

Answer 5

The prolem is that bleach gets splashed on surfaces close to where you load the clothes into the machine -- around the drum and on the post in the center. Th best thing to do is wipe the area with a damp white cloth. The area down inside the drum is okay, because it has been throughly rinsed during the last wash cycle. So after wiping the post and the rim, load and your clothes carefully to avoid those parts

Answer 6

I feel for you. I really, really dislike laundromats.

How about a sink hook-up? You can buy an apartment sized washer with it already installed, or you can attach one yourself. They sell them at just about any hardware store. Our landlord was totally fine with us having one.

Maybe ask you landlord about it. If your water is included in the rent, offer to pay an extra $20 a month to cover your extra water usage.

We also have an apartment sized dryer, which I vented through the kitchen window. I used some sheet styrofoam, some tastfully placed duct tape and a cheapy dryer vent to rig it up. I'm willing to put up with having it vent out my window if it means I don't have to haul my laundry anymore.

Anyway, hope that helps. If you'd like to see some pictures of my setup, feel free to email me.