Laundry question: Why doesn't all the soap rinse out?

[MedCruise07]

This really bugs me, when in the rinse cycle (even a second rinse) there are still soap suds! Usually it happens with towels--am I right to think there are certain kinds of fabrics that are causing this? Polo shirts (the thick fabric kind) seem to cause this too. But sometimes it happens with other kinds of fabrics, so maybe it's not only the fabric but also the detergent (I use Tide Free--don't know why, mostly habit I guess) or maybe the washer (it's a Kenmore something or other--nothing fancy).

Can someone help me?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Have you tried Fabric Softener?

 

[MedCruise07]

Have you tried Fabric Softener?

No, actually I never use fabric softener. Would that help?

 

[pjb_hockey_mom]

Have you tried Fabric Softener?

Fabric softener cuts down on the suds. Is it a front loader or top? That can make a big difference.

 

[beckanoah]

Try using 1/2 or less of your detergent. Technically the "suds" don't get clothes any cleaner, the detergent people want you to think this. Plus you end up buying detergent 2 or 3 times more often!

Also, a bit of vinegar in the rinse would help too.

 

[OrlandoMike]

No, actually I never use fabric softener. Would that help?

Yep!

So does hair conditioner! Great tip if someone ever accidently adds the wrong detergent to a dishwasher and you have a suds overload! Just add a half a cup of hair conditioner or fabric softner to the dishwasher and let it run through it's cycle.

 

[TwinsinCA]

I don't have any answers but I have the same problem. I realized my agitator wasn't working properly but it still happens even though I had it fixed.

It happens with towels primarily for me as well. I'm now to the point where I put in maybe a 1/3 of the recommended detergent for a full load and I still end up running it twice -- with an extra rinse. So that is 4X and there is STILL soap sometimes. I can't see it right away, but if I put more water on the towel and squeeze there are still suds. My washing machine is 10 years old. I assume that is the problem.

 

[TwinsinCA]

Hmmm. Guess I need to start using fabric softner again. I had this idea that adding more 'stuff' was just going to make it worse.

 

[Robinrs]

Are you rinsing in cold water? Suds disintegrate in cold water, I still don't understand why they still make machines with warm rinses!

I found this in a search: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_to_Get_soap_out_of_clothes

 

[golfgal]

Simple, you are using too much soap. Use about 1/8th of the cup (if you have a water softener) and maybe 1/4 if you don't. If you use liquid, same thing. You don't need even close to the 'recommended' amount.

 

[druidia]

Can't really help with the suds other than to say cut down on the detergent used. But do keep in mind that frequent use of fabric softener, particularly in towels, causes buildup overtime within the fabric. Your towels will start having a mildewy smell when they are freshly "clean." This has happened to me several times so I no longer use fabric softener.

Washing with Borax and rinsing with a cup of vinegar poured in helps to get rid of the midew smell. Now I simply rinse with vinegar several times per month when washing the laundry. It makes clothes soft and their is no odor at all.

 

[Alesia]

Can't really help with the suds other than to say cut down on the detergent used. But do keep in mind that frequent use of fabric softener, particularly in towels, causes buildup overtime within the fabric. Your towels will start having a mildewy smell when they are freshly "clean." This has happened to me several times so I no longer use fabric softener.

It also makes your towels less absorbent because it creates a film on them. For the same reason, using fabric softener on socks and underwear makes you more likely to develop athlete's foot and yeast infections.