Fleece: Fleece Pre-Washing Troubles?

[cheshirecavy]

Hey, so I have my anti-pill fleece and I am ready to use it, but the thing is, I don't know how to do laundry or use the washing or drying machine at all! I know that before you put it in the cage you must wash it at least 3+ times. I have read the The Fleece Project-The Study' and here is an excerpt:

"Marsha suggests you do the following, in the order shown, to get the most out of your fleece before you start using it:

*Wash and dry fleece at least three times;
*Wash on warm water / dry on a med-low setting;
*Do not add fabric softener of any kind in washer or dryer."

-'The Fleece Project: The Study'

But I don't actually know how to work a washing machine (hehe, so much for my technology) I would like advice on this and tips on how to pre-wash the fleece. Is it possible to handwash it before putting it inside the cage? If so, how do I do that. If this helps, I have a Whirlpool Ultimate Care ii Imperial Series. As for drying, can I just let the fleece naturally dry? Or do I have to dry it in the machine...? If it has to be done in the machine, then what setting do I have to set it to? Please let me know because I would like to get my piggy on fleece as soon as I can.

[akstrohm]

You can hand wash, but a washing machine will be much easier. Do you wash your own clothes? You can wash fleece the same way. Or if someone else washes your clothes, ask them to show you how to do it. Use regular detergent (unscented is best). Pretty much any cycle will be fine.

Air drying is perfectly fine. If you want to use a machine, again, just about any cycle will work.

[cheshirecavy]

I don't handwash, my Mom washes all of my clothes, I know how to handwash though. I heard that the best spin cycles are from 40-60 degrees. I will ask my Mom how to do it, although I've asked her before and she always laid it off for later. I'll see what I can do, thanks

[cheshirecavy]

I know how to handwash, but not too good... My Mom actually washes my clothes in the machine, so I'll ask her how to use it with the fleece. And by the way, I've heard that the best spin cycles are 40-60 degrees.

Could you tell me what settings I should put it on (if you can..?) Because my Mom slacks off and puts my guinea pig troubles for later (like never!) Thanks

[akstrohm]

I use the colors setting, but different washers have different settings.

[cheshirecavy]

Okay, I'll also Google it and see if I can figure it out from there..

[Toadies]

C Cavy, I did an online search for your washer model with no success. Would it be possible for you to download a picture of the controls? Will your mom allow you to use the washer? If so, will she show you how to so that you can be responsible for the piggies laundry?

[cheshirecavy]

Here is a series of pictures with the controls, I should have done this before, but thanks for asking! I couldn't put them all in one picture because you wouldn't be able to see the wording of the controls. Sorry about the size as well. Here it is:



I am allowed to use the washer..but she says she is too busy to show me. I plan to handwash the laundry when the fleece gets messy, but I want to machine wash them so the fleece can have better results with wicking moisture.

[gooberific]

Okay, I always wash all my laundry on COLD/COLD. That's the temperature selector in the first picture, on the right. I think this might just be a preference, though. (It also saves money on electricity because you're not drawing water from the hot water heater.)

The bottom picture's settings look fine for fleece.

The middle picture is what actually starts the wash cycle. It's pointing to off on the normal cycle, which is just fine to use for fleece. Now, my mom used to go NUTS if I didn't turn that knob clockwise (right) all the way around to where I wanted it to start, because it was in the instruction manual to only turn it clockwise. So, I'd recommend doing that all the way around to the beginning of the NORMAL cycle.

Do you know where to put the detergent? If it's a front-loader, it'll have a pull-out or a "compartment" on top.

Maybe an easy way to get an idea how it works is to watch her when she does your laundry!

[cheshirecavy]

Thanks a lot! This has made my understanding much better, just a few questions if you will? Do I have to separate the two colors? I have a camel colored fleece and a black and white designed fleece.
In the first picture, there is actually 2 COLD/COLD settings, does it matter which one I use? In the second picture, the normal cycle begins at the black line that says 'regular' around the top left part of the knob?
I have a top-loader machine, so I guess I just pour the detergent inside. I've been looking around Youtube for vids of people doing their laundry on a similar machine and the next time my Mom does laundry, I'll be sure to see what she's actually doing. I'll try to stop her when she's doing something and tell her to teach me to do the laundry. I know it's not hard, but I'm worried I'll make a mistake!

[BubuCandyBlue]

What model is it? Which Whirlpool? Even if it is a top-loader, Whirlpool might have models with separate detergent drawer (I have owned two Whirlpools).
In the rest: load size normal (yes, you can put both fleeces together, because it is synthetic and color won't come out), cold temperature (each setting of cold id for a different fabric, you should check the washing machine manual), then choose normal or even casual wash, the fabric is casual, and give it an extra rinse too.

[cheshirecavy]

I found that the model of my Whirlpool is LSN2000LW1. There is something on the side of the machine that says 'Liquid Chlorine Bleach' and on the machine's agitator it says 'Liquid Fabric Softener Dispenser' (both have a small hole/dispenser, maybe to put detergent in?) Inside the lid of the top-loader, it has step-by-step operating suggestions to show how to basically use the machine in normal circumstances, which is useful because I couldn't find the manual. I'm not so sure about the COLD/COLD setting since there is no manual available to me. I will use casual wash and I'll give it an extra rinse.

[BubuCandyBlue]

Originally Posted by cheshirecavy

I found that the model of my Whirlpool is LSN2000LW1. There is something on the side of the machine that says 'Liquid Chlorine Bleach' and on the machine's agitator it says 'Liquid Fabric Softener Dispenser' (both have a small hole/dispenser, maybe to put detergent in?) Inside the lid of the top-loader, it has step-by-step operating suggestions to show how to basically use the machine in normal circumstances, which is useful because I couldn't find the manual. I'm not so sure about the COLD/COLD setting since there is no manual available to me. I will use casual wash and I'll give it an extra rinse.

Well if there is something on the side, you put there just what it says. In the Chlorine you put only bleach (for white of course), and for Fabric softener, only softener (no detergent). In the Fabric softener dispenser, in the future, when you wash the fleece, you will use vinegar.
So if you found no detergent dispenser, that means your detergent goes inside with the fleece.
My washing machine is a Whirlpool duet sport. It has dispenser, divided into three, and it writes on each where the detergent, bleach, or softener goes.

I would say go with the normal washing and that's it, with cold water, and leave more fancy settings for later. I use the delicate washing because I find the other ones too rough for my fleece to stay fluffy without fuzz. You will figure it out later, for now, just for the first encounter of fleece with water, it will be fine three normal washing machine cycles.