Why is it that...(Persil suds question)

[superocd]

Persil liquid will suds up like crazy when washing my relatively clean/almost spotless "lounge around the house/run errands on my day off clothes" like my Addidas track pants, khaki shorts and T-shirts, yet my somewhat dirty to really grimy work clothes, depending on the day (Dickies work pants, T shirts) are just about suds-free? But...my wife's scrubs are relatively clean (I guess it's hard to get too dirty as an RN) yet will not suds up? Our clean yet sweaty gym clothes (Adidas/Under Armour/Nike) will not suds up? I use 2 Tbsp of Persil regardless of the load. I believe my wife uses the same dosage.

I understand why pillows and mattress pads will suds up with Persil, which is why I use A&H powder when washing those items, as both items are like giant sponges and have huge pockets of air to encourage foam. Does it have anything to do with material? Soil level? We both always wash on hot, Bulky/Bedding with two rinses. If my work clothes are especially dirty I add steam to boost wash temp and add a scoop of Borax. Washer is a Kenmore FL made by LG.

 

[launderess]

Surfactants my dear....

When there is excess of surfactants to something for them to act upon (dirt, oil, muck), you get extra froth. Same sort of thing when doing the washing up in sink. Long as you have enough dish washing liquid in basin to over come whatever muck and oils are coming off things, there is froth. When froth dies down it can indicate time to add more detergent or even better, start with fresh batch of water/detergent solution.

It really is same across board when using all sorts of liquid detergents.

First time one shampoos ones hair there may be little to medium froth (depending upon how dirty hair was), however a second application of shampoo normally produces tons of froth. Again there isn't anything or much for surfactants to act upon so they just hang about creating suds.

As it relates to laundry above is why detergents are meant to be dosed not just by load size, but soil level. Things are broken down between "Light" "Medium" and "Heavy" soiling for a reason. First needs far less detergent than last for proper cleaning.

Terry toweling, down filled pillows/duvets, and other items that are meant to trap and hold air (fluffy if you will) are another matter. By virtue of properties associated with fabric, feathers or down they will create froth in laundering.

 

[mrboilwash]

Judging the soil level of clothes is one of the hardest parts about doing laundry because the bulk of soil like dead skin, sweat and body oils is usually invisible to the eye but it still might be present in abundance.

Loads that appear to be lightly soiled only but don`t suds up at all like your wife`s scrubs might indicate to a person with a rather oily skin type or someone who likes to use creams and moisturizers on a regular basis or a build up from previous wash cycles.

Regardless of dosing instructions which seem to be mainly focused on load size in the US I`d use less for loads that always are known to suds up too much and more for loads that don`t.
Finding the sweet spot for each type of load is a learning curve but it shouldn`t be too difficult if a rather high sudsing detergent like Persil an a FL with a see through door glass are involved.

 

[launderess]

Keep in mind German/Henkel Persil though readily sold in USA is not tested for this market. Dosage directions are based upon among other things water hardness in Germany or other areas of Europe, Mexico, Middle East, etc... where Henkel does sell Persil. Many areas of USA have water far softer than even "soft" water in Germany. Thus dosage must be adjusted.

OTOH the American Persil sold by Henkel in USA is tested and designed for American water conditions, soils, and laundry habits.

Large top loading (both HE or with central beaters) are almost unheard of in Germany. There are perhaps 18lb or larger front loaders, but they are rare.

Thus dosage of Persil sold by Henkel in USA tends to be more generous again perhaps to account for larger washing machines. The dosage cap on American Persil in my stash is nearly twice large as Persil gel from Germany.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Fabric softener?

Do you use softener on the lids that suds less?

 

[superocd]

Fabric softener

Fabric softener has never touched my machine or my laundry, lol...I do know that FS does help with suds, but I just don't like the idea of a waxy, fatty substance coating my laundry or machine.

 

[sudsmaster]

So add less Persil next time.

 

[DADoES]

 
I read some years ago, I don't recall the source, that detergent manufacturers may formulate surfactants to resist rinsing out of fabric as a soil- and stain-protection function to assist with the next washing.

Worst oversudsing I've had with Persil liquid was misjudging when washing pillows in the Calypso.

The trick about fabric softener is that dosage lines on the measuring caps typically are impossible to see and people grossly overdose it.  Snuggle that I have advises "slightly below Line 1 for a normal load" and "halfway between Lines 1 and 2 for a larger load."  Line 1 is 2 tablespoons.  Halfway between 1 and 2 is approx 2-1/2 tablespoons.  The full cap that many users would dose is 8 tablespoons.

 

[sudsmaster]

Here's my ex post facto indicator: If there are suds persisting in the last rinse, I've added too much detergent. The immediate remedy is to add one or more rinses until the suds disappear. Then, add 1/2 as much detergent for the next load, adjusting as needed.

This is not rocket science.

 

[DADoES]

 
Not rocket science ... try to convince detergent manufacturers of that, LOL.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

fabric softener

My clothes are perfect with fabric softener. It does help with the sudsing issue. On that note, I use tide heavy duty hygienic clean power pods.