So many suds please help!!

[Mel94]

Please help we are having such trouble with our washing machine it’s unreal!! We originally had a 9kg hoover and it was leaving excessive suds in the seal of the machine and in the clothing. We tried everything, cleaning the machine, washing the clothes with the smallest amount of detergent, running with no detergent, running on different cycles, running the machine on a hot 90 degree with vinegar then washing clothing, we had 2 repair men out. One saying our machine was perfectly clean (it was only just over a year old) and he couldnt recommend changing anything we are doing as we have done everything. 

We gave up and got a new machine after waiting weeks for a repair man and washing piling up and now have a 7kg series 2 Bosch. We washed all of our sud soaked clothes in vinegar until there was no bubbles, then tried giving them a 40 degree wash with one bold pod (still bubbled), so vinegared again then tried with one powder non bio tesco capsule (bubbled) so vinegared again and tried with half of one (box recommends using 2!) and it still foamed up!!! We are rinsing for hours after and it’s still foaming. This is a new machine!!!

We have thoroughly cleaned our kitchen drain, there is no block, and yet it’s still foaming out there too!!

We have little money left now, a baby on the way and onto our last set of clean clothes, what do we do please help!!!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello there. If it's happened in two separate washing machines then it must be something other than the washing machine at fault. A good tip to get rid of soapsuds is fabric softener which apparently kills the suds dead. But as to why you're getting excessive soapsuds that needs investigation.

I have a full article on this problem which I'd advise you read carefully and then follow the related links and read those articles too Too much foam (soap suds) in washing machine

If the answer is not within that article or the other articles linked to then it's a mystery. Also make sure that you are not overloading the washing machine, you are using a good quality washing machine detergent, and you are also using the exact amount of detergent that is described and recommended on the detergent packaging for the type of water in your house (e.g. soft water, moderate water, hard water). I would definitely try different detergent if you haven't already. I would try something like Surf powder detergent and not liquid.

Finally make sure that you are using the correct wash cycle for the laundry you are washing according to the wash labels.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Just as a quick follow-up I've noticed that in one washing machine manufacturers instruction manual they say the following about excessive foam -

Generally this will be a result of incorrect detergent being used, a poor quality detergent being used, or from overdosing. This is common across many brands - especially in soft water areas.

If you don't already know, make sure you find out how hard or soft the water is in your area. This can be done by contacting your local water board. They may even send you a free testing kit. If you have soft water and you put the same amount of detergent in that is designed for hard water you will definitely get excessive foaming. But don't forget to check out all of the other possibilities too because unless you have moved recently and presumably the water hasn't changed much and if this is a new problem would be strange to suddenly start now.