Washing my clothes, they are all deteriorating :-(

[nithisa78]

Let your wife do it.

She is / was doing it. That's the problem. Thais don't seem to look after their stuff too good. Clothes, appliances, cars etc. I don't understand? For a rural thai a car must be a huge purchase even though it's on a loan. Regularly cars here beaten up under 2 years old and it's more the rule than the exception

Maybe you don't look after any Thai too good.

[wgdanson]

OP, I've got the same problem.

I noticed that my clothes started deteriorating after 7 years of washing them here.

Must be the water or the detergent........must look into it

SEVEN YEAR OLD UNDIES. Time for some new ones my friend.

[Liquorice]

Undies...........some of still wear Undies...Wow!

I haven't worn undies since the 3ed week I arrived.

Got a groin rash and went to the clinic.

Undies no good in this climate said the doctor.

He was right, never had a groin rash since.

Don't have any problems with the washing.

Got a Samsung 13Kg top loader (recommended by the Thais)

One spoonful of detergent as per the instructions and conditioner in the rinse.

Clothes as good as new..............except the old undies that never get washed now.

[Kenny202]

Stop buying cheap clothes at Thai markets and get some proper clothes made to Western standards. Like the poster above said, the clothes sold in Aus, UK, US are probably made in the same Chinese factories, but to higher quality standards. I actually buy almost all my clothes on our yearly trips back to the U.S. and have had no problems even when I send them out to be washed and ironed. And they are far cheaper in the U.S. as well thanks to sales and outlets and such.

How do you assume I buy cheap clothes at Thai markets? If they were cheap I wouldn't give a $hit

[bazza40]

A tablespoon of detergent in a large load should be all that's needed, unless you're a petrolhead who likes spending half his life under vehicles.

Cheaper detergents are likely to be harsher, as they are bulked up with substantial amounts of sodium carbonate or even sodium hydroxide. The more that is used, the higher the pH which leads to attack on the clothing fibre itself, let alone any dyes.

[Kasset Tak]

The softener is important as it will help. wash out and neutralize the detergent.

[Notowork]

If you dry your stuff in the sun it will damage the fabrics - especially elastics.

Better to dry under cover in the shade, but with plenty of air circulating - eg a car-port.

y

Yes, I think you have hit the nail on the head there steve,...U V Rays will destroy the elastic in your undies.

[bazza40]

Softeners are intended to complex with calcium and magnesium salts in hard water. This prevents soap scum forming when calcium and magnesium ions react with the fatty acid moieties of soaps. Sulphonates, sulphates and nonionics are unaffected by water hardness.

There are usually two price levels for surfactants used in laundry detergents. Synthesized sulphonates and nonionic surfactants are more expensive, and work equally well in hot or cold water. The cheaper dry soap/sodium carbonate detergents are more effective in warm to hot water.

When I worked in the soap/detergent industry, about 70% of the cost structure in a packet of detergent was the advertising budget. Probably not much has changed.

[Moonlover]

Undies...........some of still wear Undies...Wow!

I haven't worn undies since the 3ed week I arrived.

Got a groin rash and went to the clinic.

Undies no good in this climate said the doctor.

He was right, never had a groin rash since.

Don't have any problems with the washing.

Got a Samsung 13Kg top loader (recommended by the Thais)

One spoonful of detergent as per the instructions and conditioner in the rinse.

Clothes as good as new..............except the old undies that never get washed now.

Hey Faz, you know I got the same advise way back in 1970 from a Royal Air Force doctor in Singapore. And I couldn't agree with you more. I've not worn undies for years now and it is soooo comfortable without them. It beggars the question, 'why do we were them anyway?'

Hey, this thread could get real interesting.

The rash, by the way is called 'Prickly Heat'. (we used to call it 'jock itch' in Singapore. Jock being an abbreviation for jockey shorts). Best fix I know is 'Snake Brand' Prickly heat powder. Brilliant stuff. (and no undies of course)

Edited January 13, 2015 by Moonlover

[Kenny202]

So your cods don't stick to Ur legs? :-)

[Liquorice]

Moonlover, on 13 Jan 2015 - 19:45, said:Moonlover, on 13 Jan 2015 - 19:45, said:

Faz, on 13 Jan 2015 - 18:14, said:Faz, on 13 Jan 2015 - 18:14, said:

Undies...........some of still wear Undies...Wow!

I haven't worn undies since the 3ed week I arrived.

Got a groin rash and went to the clinic.

Undies no good in this climate said the doctor.

He was right, never had a groin rash since.

Don't have any problems with the washing.

Got a Samsung 13Kg top loader (recommended by the Thais)

One spoonful of detergent as per the instructions and conditioner in the rinse.

Clothes as good as new..............except the old undies that never get washed now.

Hey Faz, you know I got the same advise way back in 1970 from a Royal Air Force doctor in Singapore. And I couldn't agree with you more. I've not worn undies for years now and it is soooo comfortable without them. It beggars the question, 'why do we were them anyway?'

Hey, this thread could get real interesting.

The rash, by the way is called 'Prickly Heat'. (we used to call it 'jock itch' in Singapore. Jock being an abbreviation for jockey shorts). Best fix I know is 'Snake Brand' Prickly heat powder. Brilliant stuff. (and no undies of course)

The Thais use talcum powder after a shower, something I soon latched onto, under the old armpits and scrotum area.

I tried the 'Prickly heat powder' but it had the same effect as taking a Viagra.

I use the Johnsons Baby Powder...........scented........well I've got sensitive skin you know

Edited January 13, 2015 by Faz

[Liquorice]

Kenny202, on 13 Jan 2015 - 19:48, said:

So your cods don't stick to Ur legs? :-)

Cods? .....you got fish in your undies. Sure it's not Prawns.

They must be coming in through the water supply.

Nothing sticks to my leg, although I don't wear undies, I do wear socks though, so I can tuck in them

[ggt]

That is what clothes do when you wash them...if you want them to remain like new...do not wash them...

[Emster23]

How aboutd getting a little exercise and hand washing? I do. If a woman can do, you males can do it. No problems with clothes as described. Also suggest turning inside out when hanging out to dry.

[Rhys]

^{Dude wear a patoong or pacama}

[Moonlover]

What's wrong with the lot of you? You sound like a Persil advert. Get a life or a woman to wash your clothes.

Well, it would appear that yer atypical male chauvinist pig is alive and well and residing in Thailand. Each to is own mate. Each to his own.

Edited January 13, 2015 by Moonlover

[KhnomKhnom]

Some causes of too rapid deteriorating.........

-you have unique powerful body perspiration, some just do.

-you allow your clothes to lay after taking off for days or longer, rinse, at least, upon taking off.

-obviously use milder soap.

-Sun is brutal on some materials during sun drying.

-You bought cheap fabrics for your clothes.

-You have rough washing techniques.... like dhobis/dhobliwalas in India.

Maybe your aspirations do not meet reality.

[tahaan]

Recommend M&S boxers - indestructible. 8 years in Thailand and a few more in the UK and still going strong. They're my favourites ...and I'm sticking to them.

[jacko45k]

Use vinegar, instead of bleach, to get rid of odors.

I shall tell the wife....

[ATF]

Beetlejuice, on 13 Jan 2015 - 17:06, said:

ATF, on 13 Jan 2015 - 14:48, said:

What's wrong with the lot of you? You sound like a Persil advert. Get a life or a woman to wash your clothes.

You mean hire the services of an old scrubber?

BJ there are plenty of young scrubbers out there too.

[ATF]

Moonlover, on 13 Jan 2015 - 21:20, said:

ATF, on 13 Jan 2015 - 14:48, said:

What's wrong with the lot of you? You sound like a Persil advert. Get a life or a woman to wash your clothes.

Well, it would appear that yer atypical male chauvinist pig is alive and well and residing in Thailand. Each to is own mate. Each to his own.

Women were invented for cleaning. Next thing you'll be telling me is you clean your house, wash your dishes and do your own ironing too

BTW underwear was invented to stop your nuts reaching your knees. I bet you have a fine pair of swingers

[neverdie]

Cramming the machine is the worst overall offender. The washing needs room to move and agitate the clothing properly, this gives more effective rinsing too.

CharlieH the washing wench.

What other tips have you got for us? ?

[lvr181]

Regarding the elastic (rubber), do you not think that the sun (when drying the clothes) is not having any effect on the rapid deterioration of the elastic?

[samsensam]

i use public washing machines often find them clogged up with undissolved power. some people are clearly putting in so much powder that it cant all be used. use less powder.

also... an ex used to leave my clothes hanging in the direct sun; sunlight and heat will effect fabric. a Japanese ex told me to turn cloths inside out when drying in the sun, a good tip.

and... i see many ex pats wearing low quality (and often badly fitting!) locally bought clothes, clearly they will rot quicker than decent quality clothing

[thailand49]

Are you using the right type of detergent? There is a type for washing machine and one for hand washing which lots of Thai use. The detergent here is also more course so I have turned to using a liquor. The one I use is Essence it is mild and have a nice scene to it.

If you also buy clothes here from Thailand, that is also a problem since the quality is bad, you basically get what you pay for? When I first moved here I saw stuff cheap and look good so I purchased. After a few wash the stuff started to fall apart now after years I pay a little bit more for the stuff and bring things back from US although made in China the quality control is much better with elastic and zippers.

[Gecko123]

Get a woman to wash your clothes.

You mean like an elderly senior citizen, or someone like that?

[Balance]

Actually, I have the same problem. I have an LG front loader, and it takes forever to fun through a cycle, but it seems gentle. I use liquid soaps as suggested to me here on ThaiVisa several years back. I don't know why this is rougher on my clothes than what I have back in the US, but it is, and I just accept that I have to buy clothes more often (this from a guy who still has T-shirts from the 70's in his drawer.)

My biggest problem is with underwear with the elastic giving out in about six months or a bit longer. BUt even my shirts feel starchy and weird after they are cleaned.

Also have an 4 year old LG front loader and after watching the underwear elastic give up and T-shirt necklines shred, I also became curious as to the cause. I had never used a front loader and noticed that my wife seemed to put a lot of clothes in washer load. After watching the clothes on and off for 2-3 weeks, my theory is that the action of a front loader will mechanically pull apart clothes if the washer is overloaded. Theory is also consistent with the clothes not getting rinsed enough. After some effort, I convinced my wife of this theory and she backed off and it seems that new underwear and T-shirts are fairing better.

[bonobo]

Actually, I have the same problem. I have an LG front loader, and it takes forever to fun through a cycle, but it seems gentle. I use liquid soaps as suggested to me here on ThaiVisa several years back. I don't know why this is rougher on my clothes than what I have back in the US, but it is, and I just accept that I have to buy clothes more often (this from a guy who still has T-shirts from the 70's in his drawer.)

My biggest problem is with underwear with the elastic giving out in about six months or a bit longer. BUt even my shirts feel starchy and weird after they are cleaned.

Also have an 4 year old LG front loader and after watching the underwear elastic give up and T-shirt necklines shred, I also became curious as to the cause. I had never used a front loader and noticed that my wife seemed to put a lot of clothes in washer load. After watching the clothes on and off for 2-3 weeks, my theory is that the action of a front loader will mechanically pull apart clothes if the washer is overloaded. Theory is also consistent with the clothes not getting rinsed enough. After some effort, I convinced my wife of this theory and she backed off and it seems that new underwear and T-shirts are fairing better.

I have a GE front loader in the US, and it doesn't seem to have a problem, but maybe the LG is not up to the same task? I will try using smaller loads as you suggest and see how it does.

[socksy01]

Apparently 'shreddie's' elastic doesn't take too kindly to softener so wash them seperately. Dry anything where colour is likely to fade, ouy of direct sunlight. Alternatively try not to use Daz or Persil but F.U.C.K - the Fastest Universal Cleaner in the Kingom. If Daz doesn't brighten it and Persil doesn't whiten it F.U.C.K it.