There’s a dirty secret lurking inside your washing machine…
It’s one that commercial laundry brands don’t want you to know, but one that appliance technicians know all too well.
The hidden truth is that if you were to take a look at the inside walls of your washing machine right now, you would be horrified by what you find.
The Scud Effect
We’d all like to think that our laundry is a fairly neutral space - no fuss, clean, fresh even. However, under the hatch of nearly ALL washing machines is a build-up of a thick, insoluble tar-like substance known as scudding.
But because we never see the inner walls of the washing machine drum, it’s almost impossible to know until you start to notice the effects (literally) rubbing off on your clothes, that is.
Scudding is caused by using too much chemical detergent in one wash.
When excessive detergent is used, the chemical reactions in the water increase, leading to an excess of soap molecules. The soap molecules then react with hard minerals in the water, forming more scud than the water can dissolve.
As a result, the scud sticks to the laundry machine barrel, the inside walls of the machine, and the machine itself. This can cause visible deposits on clothing, making the fabric feel stiff (we all have that one scratchy towel), and this leaves a dirty residue on the machine. In addition, the excessive scud can clog the drainage system of the machine, leading to drainage issues and requiring costly repairs.
It gets worse..
To counteract the problem of stiff, scratchy clothes, most people will resort to a fabric softener.
This is like fighting fire with fire. Combining powders and liquids, such as laundry powder and liquid fabric softener, causes another chemical reaction (science, am I right!?) known as saponification.
Saponification is the process by which fats and oils are converted into soap. When soap is used in hard water, which contains high levels of naturally occurring minerals, a reaction occurs where these minerals react with the soap and form even MORE scudding.
So, how can you prevent scudding? Here are some tips:
- Follow the detergent instructions: Make sure to use the recommended amount for your load size. Using more detergent than recommended will not result in cleaner clothes and can actually lead to scudding.
- Do not combine powders and Liquid. Opt for a natural product like our Plenished laundry slips or a detergent that has a fabric softener built-in.
- Clean your washing machine regularly using our appliance descaler: Regularly cleaning your washing machine can help prevent the buildup of detergent residue and other substances that can contribute to scudding. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your machine.
With the right products (oh hey), scudding can be easily prevented, and you can ensure that your laundry comes out looking and feeling clean whilst prolonging the life of your washing machine.
