Detergents

[roscoe62]

I have no idea what makes up a liquid detergent but I have tried a little experiment using the liquid and noticed that if I use it two or three times and then a powder in the next load my machine gets a very sudsy condition.I use enough of the liquid to line the bottom of the cap and then fill the remainder of the cap with water, so it is diluted before it goes into the machine, and is usually added after the machine has been pretty much filled.
Even if I use a warm rinse, there is still a suds issue with later loads, so does anyone know, is there a chemist handy (?), what is in the liquid that keeps it from not breaking down completely during the wash cycle.Is the liquid for the most part clinging to the outer drum and reducing cleaning and rinsing abilities?
When I contacted Tide a number of times I was told that the liquid would be broken down enough in the wash cycle to be rinsed clear and to just reduce my dosage to a 1/4 cup ? As I said I line the bottom of the cap for a dosage.
I have soft water so is it the water or a content in the product, or both combined?

 

[revvinkevin]

Question:

 

 

What type of washing machine are we talking about here?   Top load?  Front load?  High efficiency or regular?

 

In my experience:

 

Hard water = less suds / soft water = more suds (less detergent needed).

 

The hotter the water (with soft water) = more suds (less detergent needed).   On this same note, I don't see how rinsing in warm water would help in any way.

 

It also depends on what brand of deterget you are using.    Some make a lot more suds than others (different additives) under the same conditions.   I use Sears Ultra Plus most of the time, also Kirkland (Costco brand) powdered detergent.    Neither will suds very much EXCEPT when when I use them in my FL washer with the heater (sanitize cycle) then they both make a lot more suds then expected.

 

I also don't see any need or reason to dilute liquid detergent before adding, only liquid fabric softener.

 

While I have used liquid detergent here and there, I definitely prefer powder over liquid.

 

Kevin

[this post was last edited: 4/13/2013-11:33]

 

[roscoe62]

@revvinkevin

Hi There,
Fl'r, HE detergent.
I tried the warm water remembering in another thread that had said that absence of froth does not mean absence of suds and using warm water may help in rinsing because it would open up the fibre in the material releasing more suds. The liquid was diluted because it was two times concentrate.
Like you Kevin I have used the Sears ultra plus until they changed it, and as a rule I only use powder, and I see that with hot,soft water the equation less=more will play.
Tks Kevin
PS why do you dilute your fabric softner, to keep the dispenser from clogging?

 

[revvinkevin]

PS why do you dilute your fabric softner....?

 

 

Personally while I have used it on a few occations, as a rule I don't use liquid fabric softener.  But, the stuff is so thick, diluting it is to > try < to help make sure the stuff dispenses as completely as possible.   Plus diluting will (hopefully) leave less of a gooey mess in the dispenser.   Granted if you're using a FL this is a moot point as the dispenser flushes with water.   So I guess the "diluting" thing is more for those with TL machines.

 

On the detergent, diluting because of a 2X concentration... because it's so thick?   I assume you are using the correct dosage prior to diluting, yes?

 

Kevin

 

[roscoe62]

Dosage

It is about 1-2 teaspoons no more because it is so thick.It could be about half the recommended dose.

 

[abcomatic]

Oxydol powder

I everyone, I know that there was a thread awhile back about new Oxydol powder. I just bought a box and used it in the Speed Queen Wringer and then hung the clothes out on the line. Great results and great smell too. I have soft water so there were some suds, but not too much. I think this is a keeper. Happy washing. Gary