Debt Dumpers 2026

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

A front loader has it's cons but a pro to me is that it doesn't matter nearly as much if you have a small load of laundry. With a top loader balancing the washer was a necessity but it's not the same issue with a front loader. I do still have to do some thinking because I use delicate bags which means the clothes in them aren't being bounced around the same but if you're not using delicate bags and you have a front loader small loads are fine to do.

We have a toploader, but it doesn't have a stick in it. We just wash everything on the hottest setting possible to make sure all germs and bacteria are cleaned.

 

[focusondisney]

What do mean lines? I've never seen any lines marked on my caps. But I want to make sure everything gets cleaned and all bacteria/germs are gone. So we use a capful, wash on the hottest setting with laundry sanitizer and use liquid fabric softener. Then when we dry clothes, we also use a dryer sheet.

Inside the cap. Every liquid laundry detergent I have used has lines up inside the cap. (I’ve been married 47 years, so have used a lot of liquid detergents). Look inside the cap, the lines are just indentations or slight protrusions, not a painted on different color line.

Also, it is agitation that cleans items. The items rubbing against each other as they move around is what cleans them. Unless you have a sterilizer, you will never remove all bacteria/ germs. It’s just not how things work. Nor do your clothes need to be sterilized. Even if they were sterilized, the minute you touch them, lay them on a surface, put them in a laundry basket or on a hanger, they wouldn’t be anymore. Every single surface in your home has bacteria.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Inside the cap. Every liquid laundry detergent I have used has lines up inside the cap. (I’ve been married 47 years, so have used a lot of liquid detergents). Look inside the cap, the lines are just indentations or slight protrusions, not a painted on different color line.

I'll check it out when I do laundry next time. I've never even looked.

Also, it is agitation that cleans items. The items rubbing against each other as they move around is what cleans them. Unless you have a sterilizer, you will never remove all bacteria/ germs. It’s just not how things work. Nor do your clothes need to be sterilized. Even if they were sterilized, the minute you touch them, lay them on a surface, put them in a laundry basket or on a hanger, they wouldn’t be anymore. Every single surface in your home has bacteria.

Thanks. I use antibacterial wipes or bleach on everything. Every time DW takes out the trash and coms in and wipes her hands, I immediately wipe down the faucet with a antibacterial wipe. Every time we cook, I do the same. We don't leave raw meat out on the counter to defrost because I'm afraid of germs/bacteria. That's the biggest reason we just go to the grocery on Monday and but what we need for the week.

 

[Nettlelondon]

Today's lesson on the differences between the US & UK (whether you want it or not )

Here I would say 99.9% of washing machines are front loaders, and use of tumble dryers is probably no more than 50% (I have not had one for 20 years and didn't use the one I did have before that which is why we got rid of it). Most people dry outside in summer and on indoor airers the rest of the time. High spin speeds mean that most of the items come out pretty dry anyway.

We do 3 loads of clothes a week for the two of us, normally on Sunday for half price electricity, and then towels / bedding as extra loads.

Our washing machine self doses - you fill a reservoir with liquid detergent and fabric conditioner, set the dosage levels for a standard load, and then the machine determines how much is needed for the weight of the wash load with options to use more for dirtier items. I thought this was going to be a bit of a gimmick, but it is actually great.

We wash clothes at 30 degrees Celsius, which is about 90 Fahrenheit but washing in cold water is becoming increasingly popular with detergents formulated to clean at that temperature. Obviously we wash bedding and towels at hotter temperatures.

Ironing seems to be more common here than I am led to believe it is in the US, possibly linked to the use of dryers. I tend to only formal shirts and trousers (pants), much of the rest will be fine if hung on a hanger to dry.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We have a toploader, but it doesn't have a stick in it. We just wash everything on the hottest setting possible to make sure all germs and bacteria are cleaned.

Yikes I can't imagine washing everything in hot water. Not only does that get expensive but also a lot of wear and tear on your clothing.

I have Lysol Laundry Sanitizer (non-bleach) that I started using a few years back when I got the flu (which I hadn't had since I was a kid). I wouldn't use it for everything all the time but in the clothes you're super super worried about it. With that you can use it with cold water. I really only use it in our case when it's hand or kitchen towels and don't use it for clothes but it can be used with them. For clothes and blankets, personally, would only use it in the event of someone being sick in the household but just mentioning it.

 

[Nettlelondon]

On a financial note, I have made a start on the "List 60 things on eBay" task on my 60 Before 60 list. Listed 3 items today, not much but it is a start and will hopefully get some things out of the house. If they don't sell they will be donated.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ironing seems to be more common here than I am led to believe it is in the US, possibly linked to the use of dryers. I tend to only formal shirts and trousers (pants), much of the rest will be fine if hung on a hanger to dry.

I think ironing was much much more common in the past here. I used to iron a lot more than I do now although my husband irons basically everyday. I think the synthetic fibers that a lot of our clothes are made out of these days helps reduce ironing.

Most people dry outside in summer

This is pretty well known (or at least it feels that way) difference between places that don't have the big large washing and drying machines that are more common in the U.S.

I would love to line dry outside but allergies prevent that, I can't even have my windows open for more than 5 mins if it's even a moderate allergy day pollen is a big reason. You'll find that to be a much bigger reason in the U.S. along with bugs and yes to an extent rules against in in places like HOAs or apartment or condo or duplex places. I did have two bad allergy attacks (bad being relative to me) in two places in Germany with pollen so I can say it's not exclusive to the U.S. for what outdoor drying could do to me.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

On a financial note, I have made a start on the "List 60 things on eBay" task on my 60 Before 60 list. Listed 3 items today, not much but it is a start and will hopefully get some things out of the house. If they don't sell they will be donated.

That's so cool. I saw someone else do that too. Might be something fun to do but change it up a bit. Maybe make a list of things we'd like to do when we get out of debt. Like put 2-3 small things for after we pay off our CCs (dinner/movie out, night stay in a hotel, etc) then something bigger for after we pay off the car then the biggest for after we pay off the student loan to be completely

 

[Nettlelondon]

That's so cool. I saw someone else do that too. Might be something fun to do but change it up a bit. Maybe make a list of things we'd like to do when we get out of debt. Like put 2-3 small things for after we pay off our CCs (dinner/movie out, night stay in a hotel, etc) then something bigger for after we pay off the car then the biggest for after we pay off the student loan to be completely

There's a whole variety of things on the list, including many that cost nothing "volunteer 60 hours", "read 60 books", "watch the Godfather films" - I have never seen any of them and I am sure I will track them down somehere on free TV.