New Washing machine - Can't use bleach? wat?

[Eli]

As the title says... WTF?

Machine in question is a Bosch Axxis WFL2090UC front loader, HE machine.

I'd at least like to know why I'm not supposed to use bleach, instead of the manual yelling at me about it.

Any ideas?

 

[spidey07]

What? Probably because they don't want you to dump bleach on your clothes before the water is added. Is there no resevoir to put bleach that it will add later once there's water in there?

 

[shortylickens]

Normally I would say "you should have read the manual before you fucking bought it!" but thats so incredibly odd I cant imagine it would be a thing you'd need to check for.

Maybe the sloshing around generates chlorine gas in your basement?

Wait, no, thats fucking stupid.

I dont know.

 

[PottedMeat]

I'd at least like to know why I'm not supposed to use bleach, instead of the manual yelling at me about it.

holy shit - a talking manual!



what does it actually say about bleach?

 

[Zebo]

I have that washer. There should be three slots up top... one on far right is bleach.

 

[Gunslinger08]

holy shit - a talking manual!



what does it actually say about bleach?

Just search for the model number and manual on Google. It says not not use it at all.

 

[spidey07]

Just search for the model number and manual on Google. It says not not use it at all.

If it's a high efficiency model it may not use enough water/power to really get a good rinse so the bleach harms the clothes.

 

[Evadman]

Manual as requested:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id...GQtNzc5ZS00OWNmLTkyNWYtOTc2OTBhODZiYWY0&hl=en

 

[Eli]

If it's a high efficiency model it may not use enough water/power to really get a good rinse so the bleach harms the clothes.

Hmm... Intriguing. Makes sense I guess.

 

[Blackjack200]

Do you guys use bleach? I've never really used it at all.

 

[Eli]

Do you guys use bleach? I've never really used it at all.

I do.. well, used to.. on things like socks and towels.

I guess the 160ºF setting should take care of bacteria at least, but it won't make my whites vibrant. lol

 

[PsiStar]

Bleach! Isn't that how everyone cleaned the toilet in college?

Bleach == white unless you have water /w iron then just forget all white and bleach doesn't matter.

 

[hanoverphist]

says it right in the manual... page 17. it may cause parts of the washer to corrode.

 

[Zargon]

says it right in the manual... page 17. it may cause parts of the washer to corrode.

thats stupid. build a washer that cant tolerate bleach?

 

[Eli]

says it right in the manual... page 17. it may cause parts of the washer to corrode.

Oh, I didn't catch that. My bad.

Well.. that's just fucked up. Come on Bosch! You're supposed to be high quality. You mean my washer isn't stainless steel through and through?

No big deal I guess, but it struck me as quite odd.

 

[dullard]

I'm going to go with Spidey on this one. The front loaders are efficient since they use very little water. But, if you use the normal amount of bleach (which is formulated for much more water), you just destroyed your clothes and/or washer.

And anyways, bleech doesn't turn things white, it turns them a faint yellow. Instead, just use a bleach alternative. Read me. That version has two optical brighteners that make white look white and don't affect colors.

 

[jaha2000]

Oh, I didn't catch that. My bad.

Well.. that's just fucked up. Come on Bosch! You're supposed to be high quality. You mean my washer isn't stainless steel through and through?

No big deal I guess, but it struck me as quite odd.

you dont know much about metal do you.. Stainless Steel plus bleach = epic fail... Look up stress corrosion cracking on google.
If you washer was made from titanium then yes you would be good to go.
Probably has to do with the fact that some water is always left over in the front loader.
Kind of odd though, i have an LG with a stainless drum and bleach is no issue.

 

[thescreensavers]

If it's a high efficiency model it may not use enough water/power to really get a good rinse so the bleach harms the clothes.

So save money but not washing cloths as good?

 

[PottedMeat]

Just search for the model number and manual on Google. It says not not use it at all.

hmm

...stupid pdf copy & paste doesn't work...

Do Not Use Bleach. Hazardous Fumes Can Form.

Decolorants may contain sulphur or chlorine. These substances can cause parts of the washing machine to corrode.

i wonder how much more chlorine resistant stainless steel is or just enameling the thing

from elsewhere:

Some grades of stainless steel also can be damaged from the use of products containing chlorine. A process known as “hydrogen embrittlement” may occur as the chlorine bleach attacks the stainless steel,trapping hydrogen gas in the pores of the metal. Over time, the hydrogen can be released, resulting in weakened metal. It is especially damaging to welded joints.

 

[jaha2000]

Chlorine resistant stainless steel?? Does not exist.
What you need are high alloy exotics, Hastalloy would be 1 that would come to mind. Or you could make the pieces out of engineered plastics aka Delrin.

As far as my background... I was a reliability engineer for a LARGE pharma company. My job consisted of Material selections for piping/pumps and tanks for processing....

I saw chlorine injectors get made out of stainless steel on accident once, they lasted about 6 hours and they leaked so bad they had to shut processing down.

 

[Rubycon]

The amount of free chlorine present in 5% sodium hypochlorite when diluted with the charge water should NOT present a risk from hydrogen embrittlement attack. Unless a very poor grade of SS and/or low grade welding technique is used. Where is the place of manufacturer for this machine? China? Well that's probably one of your problems.

Yes the newer "green" front loaders definitely use a minimal amount of water - which is a good thing particularly if your waste is handled by a septic tank.

 

[TridenT]

Strange. My washer (I forget what it is) recommends that you use bleach or something like once a month in the washer so it can clean itself that way... :O

 

[Eli]

you dont know much about metal do you.. Stainless Steel plus bleach = epic fail... Look up stress corrosion cracking on google.
If you washer was made from titanium then yes you would be good to go.
Probably has to do with the fact that some water is always left over in the front loader.
Kind of odd though, i have an LG with a stainless drum and bleach is no issue.

I certainly don't claim to be a metallurgist, but just about every washer I've ever seen and used has a stainless steel drum, and you can certainly use bleach with them.

Read the wiki on SCC. Interesting. I'm thinking corrosion of the drum isn't the reason for banning bleach from this machine, though.

 

[Eli]

The amount of free chlorine present in 5% sodium hypochlorite when diluted with the charge water should NOT present a risk from hydrogen embrittlement attack. Unless a very poor grade of SS and/or low grade welding technique is used. Where is the place of manufacturer for this machine? China? Well that's probably one of your problems.

Yes the newer "green" front loaders definitely use a minimal amount of water - which is a good thing particularly if your waste is handled by a septic tank.

It's Bosch.. I doubt it was made in China.

Then again, it wouldn't really surprise me, either..........

 

[lupi]

well it says don't use chlorine bleach, just use the other type.