Water issue?

I know this is going to sound looney, but since we moved from Fairfax County to Loudoun County, I've noticed the wash rags we use for washing dishes take on a very mildewy odor after only one or two uses. I thought maybe it was the quality of fabric, but I've purchased new ones (higher quality...read more expensive...)and get the same results. I was wondering if it could be a water issue and if I'm the only one and I'm losing my mind. I've contacted the water authority and am waiting a response. Maybe there's not as much chlorine in the water here as there was in Fairfax???

 

I don't know about our chlorine levels, but most of eastern Loudoun County gets its water from the Fairfax County Water Authority (even if you pay the Loudoun Sanitation Authority... which I understand contracts with the FCWA). So you actually could have the same water source as you used to.

 

Since chlorine dissipates in the water lines, you will get more chlorine if you are close to the treatment plant and less if you are farther away. I learned this when I complained about "Pool water" in the taps to the water guys at a previous abode.

Zansu
I haven't lost my mind, it's backed up on a zip drive... now if I could just find it...

 

You're not looney, our wash rags at the kithchen sink do that too.

 

We have the same problem with our laundry. We have to move it to the dryer within a few hours of washing or it smells terrible. Is there anyhting that can be done? I put the dish sponges in the microwave daily but I can't do that with the laundry so I can never leave it overnight. It starts to smell after just a few hours.

 

questions.
#1. What is a wash rag?
#2. Do you use laundry soap?
#3. Do you live in B-lands and have this problem?

I live in N. B-lands and I do not have a problem with laundry.
A wash rag sounds like a bad thing to have. Maybe you should throw it out.

 

1. A rag for washing. (Personally I use a sponge, but lots of people use rags.)

2. Of course! (You were being sarcastic right?) I also use bleach with the whites and fabric softener.

3. Yes, I live South of Waxpool Rd

 

Thanks, pdonnadurk...I didn't think my terminology ("wash rag") would be that difficult to comprehend...

 

Let me offer some suggestions for your water issue.
First, leave your washer lid open when you are not using it.
Secondly, if you are washing dishes with a rag or sponge it will breed bacteria, most certainly if you are washing anything with animal fat or protein in it. You are better off using disposable washing clothes or if you reuse those "rags" then you should soak them in a mild bleach solution for atleast one hour. Most likely you have a bacteria that has spread in your laundry each time you wash, the bacteria remains. this is from rancid animal fat and protein. Your washer cannot wash this out.
Last suggestion, fill your washer full and add a gallon of vinegar. Let it sit over night (lid open)

Sorry, I never heard of the term "wash rag". Not meant to offend, just never heard it before.</u></u>

 

I thought we got our water from the same place Fairfax CITY gets their water, Goose Creek reservoir (with beaverdam as backup)... ?

The LCSA says half (fairfax county) and half (goose creek), but who knows... *shrug*

 

Guess I'll never get my answer (water company is ignoring my e-mails...). Still have mildewy smelling rags and towels (yes, I know all the tricks for bleaching, cleaning, sanitizing, etc.). Just find it odd that I never had to go to those lengths until moving here....guess I'll just have to pay to get our water tested...

 

Do you have a new washing machine? A really old one? Do you know how to clean all of the gunk out of the center swisher thingy (my washer lingo is terribly lacking). It can and does fill up with nasty green gunk from fabric softener that needs to be cleaned.

Do you ever notice that your water straight from the tap smells funny? Are you using a new dish soap? I hope you find the answer you are looking for! Let us know what your water test results are[8)]

 

Still no word from the water company, but I've been told that even though we get our water all from the same place, that each water treatment plant can treat the water differently. I'm on a mission...[8D]

 

We had a problem with methane type smells coming from several of our sinks. Yes it smelled like someone let one rip really bad when we turned on the water. Anyway, I could not figure out what it was so I was talking to my neighbor who had the same problem. He had a plumber come out and the plumber said to put bleach down the drain and shut the stopper. Let it sit for a few hours then run the hot water for a minute or two. Worked like a charm. No more nasty smells from our sinks.

Just in case anyone else had that problem as well.

 

Yes, we had that problem with just one bathroom sink faucet, mine! Man, I hated brushing my teeth at that sink b/c it made me feel like gagging, the smell. Bleach worked perfectly. We had a plumber out (fixing our stupid cheapo piece of trash toilet) and he told us the bleach idea. I thought there was a dead animal stuck in the pipe or something...