Liquid Detergent Residue

[rich_w]

Hi,

LG front loader (wm900hva). Had it for 6 months and first front loader. Using Tide + Ultra Stain Release liquid (top ranked liquid in Consumers Reports). The liquid detergent residue stays behind in the dispenser at the bottom. I watched a whole cycle to see what is going on. I am NOT overfilling - in fact, tested with using less than Maxand less than normal

- I took apart and cleaned the dispenser (no gunk on there anyways)

- I put detergent to the Normal line in dispenser (not the Max line)

-the siphoning in the dispenser doesn't seem to work well, the thick detergent stays at the bottom and then of course is still reapplied during the rinse cycle

- I purchased another bottle of Stain Release Tide at a different store - same issue and same thickness of liquid left behind at the bottom

So basically - either the soap is too thick and won't dissolve r the washing machine has an issue. Tide Pure seems to dissolve just fine and is't left behind, however it is mostly clear and not dyed blue. I haven't tried any other detergents yet other than above.

anyone else with a. similar issue? any solutions? is it a bad dispenser or bad detergent?

 

[rolls_rapide]

It's probably just the detergent being too gloopy these days.

I find that even pouring a capful into the standard drawer, the modern liquid detergent virtually always seems to resist the showering from the soapbox ceiling jets. I just pour a capful directly into the drum now. Less hassle, cleaner drawer and you can be more sure of a cleaner rinse, without unused detergent being flushed into the rinse waters.

Or you can use an 'in-wash' dosing ball dispenser, but the rattling/clanging irritates me. If your machine is in a basement, out of ears' reach, a dosing ball might work for you though.

 

[eronie]

Take the flow restrictors out of the water inlets. They are behind the filter screens of the inlet hoses.

 

[rich_w]

good advice about adding it direct to the drum.
I don't think the LG has ceiling jets for the dispenser. Here is a picture of what mine looks like. The water comes in over the top back edge of the dispenser. Not surprised that the goopy stuff at the bottom never gets dissolved. I just tried some of that Tide Ultra Stain in a glass with warm water under my faucet. The stuff seems undissolved after running a ton of water into the glass, seriously. Even stirring it with my finger the thick jelly stuff falls back to the bottom. The dispensers work by siphon action - so this gel like crap at the bottom will clog up the siphoning in no time at all. Brilliant design (being sarcastic here).
Damn washing machine should just work - like in the old days. turn two knobs, add water and soap - done!

 

[iej]

The problem is that most liquids are made to be viscous so that they can be used as pre-treatment agents and also to make them easier to keep in suspension without having to be shaken-before-use. It also makes them easier to measure and dose. If you'd to pre-treat clothes with an extremely runny liquid, it would just make a complete mess and run all over the floor.

In Europe there was a marketing push towards very concentrated gels, never mind liquid at one stage! I think that's starting to die out now though as they're all moving back to concentrated liquids again in this market anyway.

The only detergents that are really runny tend to be designed for auto-dosing pump systems e.g. Miele's twin-dose detergent is pretty powerful stuff, but it's as runny as milk. Most detergents are pretty gloopy.

I'm of the opinion that if you're using a liquid detergent you should just dose it straight into the drum - unless you're doing a front loader pre-wash cycle in which case you'll have to use dispensers.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Reply # 3

Aha! I see what you mean, regarding liquids. I presumed it had a conventional drawer - like European machines do. I never for one instant thought 'flip-top lid'.

How does one dose powder in that case? Is the liquid siphon removable?

Or does one have to place powder directly into the drum?

 

[rolls_rapide]

I have a sneaky feeling that the more sophisticated an appliance becomes, the dumber it becomes.

We only need to look at the European top end Samsung frontloaders which had automatic liquid dispensers, to see that there was no provision for a powder drawer. The user had to put the powder into the drum,in a dispensing 'pebble', not unlike the 1980's P&G 'Arielette'.

Then there are the appliances which never reach the claimed temperatures. Which? castigated a Hoover washer for 43 deg C temperatures. I read of a Stiftung Warentest where an AEG got as high as 26 deg C - on the 60 deg C programme!

Makes you wonder where it's all going to end...

 

[launderess]

Tide *ultra* Stain Release is just that; a concentrated detergent. While Pureclean not so much, nor is it really intended for very badly stained laundry as it lacks the "oomph" of the more powerful and concentrated versions.

Basically your choices are limited if having issues with liquid detergents not dispensing properly. Either go with in tub dosing devices (my favourite solution), or find a liquid that will consistently properly dose with your machine.

Truth to tell thick liquid detergents are not that much different than that other liquid product used on wash day; fabric softeners. Both when concentrated enough can present issues in dosing and leave residue/traces.

Commercial Speed Queen washers a local laundromat send hot water into the FS dispenser (to dilute product), while also sending cold via other chambers. Even with this if too much or thick product is used there is a residue. Know this from having to cope with washing reeking of Suavitel, Snuggle, and or other thick messes of FS used in previous load. Got wise to myself and now inspect dispenser before loading.....

Indeed standard advice for fabric softeners that didn't dispense properly for years was to dilute with hot water, then pour into washer and or down dispenser.

If am being honest it is probably best to simply use a dosing device and leave off using dispenser for most if not all liquid detergents. Say this because the inevitable residue from that or FS tends to foul detergent dispensers with crud, mold and God only knows what unless cleaned regularly.

 

[rich_w]

yes - the blue trays are removable for when you have to use powder detergent.

 

[mrboilwash]

Rich, are you sure the rinse water flow is going through the main wash dispenser ?
Some washers use the prewash or bleach compartment for all but the last rinse.
If this is the case I wouldn`t worry about detergent residue getting released during the rinses. Well, on the other hand as it has been pointed out correctly you never know what is sitting in the pipe between the dispenser and drum.

You could also try to mix the detergent with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to lower its viscosity or in other words make it more runny. This would be one of several solvent options used by the detergent industry for viscosity control when they want to offer a very concentrated yet watery product.
As little as a few drops of rubbing alcohol per tablespoon of detergent might be enough.[this post was last edited: 2/8/2018-08:13]

 

[tomturbomatic]

When I use the dispenser for fabric softener, I add a bit of hot water to the dispenser first to prevent the glop from bonding to the plastic and that seems to give a more complete dispensing. Maybe you could try that with the detergent and see if it helps. Otherwise, I just add whatever I am adding to the compartment as the water flows through it to wash it away or, with liquid detergent, on the fabrics in the drum when I load the machine. Because of the dispenser drawer design, fabric softener has to be added via the little siphon cup so the hot water is a must.

 

[gorenje]

Hi Rich,

adding the liquid direct into the drum would be an option, but in this case I would pour it on to the clothes and not into the empty drum.

Adding the detergent into the empty drum would not be a good idea for two reasons in my opinion.
If it is very viscous the detergent would stick on the bottom of the tube the same way as in the dispenser resulting in poor dissolving and probably in being there also during the rinse portion of the cycle causing a bad washing and rinsing.
The second reason is if in the case you pour the detergent into the drum right in the spot where below is the drain hole in the tube you're literally throwing it away.

I would rather use a in-wash dosing ball as Rolls_rapide already said. One similar to those we are using here in Europe or just pour it on to the clothes.

 

[speedqueen]

Go powder

You won't be unimpressed. I use standard Tide powder to good results and if really needed Tide w/ Bleach Alternative is available. I feel that it makes the towels whiter than if regular Tide liquid is used. I don't even use liquid chlorine bleach.

 

[lotsosudz]

No sudz issues here

I have a brand new LG washer and dryer. I use All with Oxi. I have never had an issue
with the detergent dispensing, of rinsing clean. my rinse water is absolutely clear, and my clothes come out perfect. it seems to me, in general tide is not great in front loading machines. it seems to problematic. There are many detergents that rate well, such as Persil, and others that would work as well. How many discussions have we had on the negatives of Tide. Probably better used in Top loading machines,
Just my opinion.
David