Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Soap on your clothes after wash?
There are a number of possible reasons you might have soap still on your clothes after a complete washing machine cycle. The good news is, they're not all caused by a fault in the machine.
Here are the top reasons you've still got soap on your clothes (that aren't actual problems with the machine itself):
1. Using too much detergent: There's only so much detergent that will dissolve and be effectively used in a given amount of water. There should be instructions with the detergent that explain how much to use, and you might need to use less if you have very soft water.
2. Water is too cold to dissolve detergent: Powdered laundry detergents are made to dissolve at water temperatures above 60°F. Colder than that they're just not going to work well, and you'll need to resort to liquid detergent.
3. Slow cycle (delicate, handwash, gentle) used: Powdered detergents may not do well in a low-energy wash cycle, as they may not dissolve completely. Once again, liquid detergents will clear that up nicely.
4. Too much clothes in the washer!: Fill up the tub, fine. But if you have to push it in to close the door, it's too tightly packed. Clothes need to tumble around in the washer for effective cleaning, and they need space to tumble. When they get wet, they'll create a little space as they compact, but don't use that to fit in yet another towel. Loosely full is about right, otherwise your detergents might not dissolve all way. Remember, the gentler the wash cycle, the less you should cram in.
5. Old, crusty detergent: Just like in your dishwasher, fresh detergent works best. You want a dry space to keep them in, with the lid shut (if powdered). Don't buy so much in bulk that you're still using the same box 6 months from now or more, it just won't work as well as fresh detergent. When it's become a solid rock of detergent block, throw it out.
Of course, there could be something really wrong with your washing machine. If these don't help, call your local servicer for help. In Alabama, call Service Care and we'll take care of you.
Here are the top reasons you've still got soap on your clothes (that aren't actual problems with the machine itself):
1. Using too much detergent: There's only so much detergent that will dissolve and be effectively used in a given amount of water. There should be instructions with the detergent that explain how much to use, and you might need to use less if you have very soft water.
2. Water is too cold to dissolve detergent: Powdered laundry detergents are made to dissolve at water temperatures above 60°F. Colder than that they're just not going to work well, and you'll need to resort to liquid detergent.
3. Slow cycle (delicate, handwash, gentle) used: Powdered detergents may not do well in a low-energy wash cycle, as they may not dissolve completely. Once again, liquid detergents will clear that up nicely.
4. Too much clothes in the washer!: Fill up the tub, fine. But if you have to push it in to close the door, it's too tightly packed. Clothes need to tumble around in the washer for effective cleaning, and they need space to tumble. When they get wet, they'll create a little space as they compact, but don't use that to fit in yet another towel. Loosely full is about right, otherwise your detergents might not dissolve all way. Remember, the gentler the wash cycle, the less you should cram in.
5. Old, crusty detergent: Just like in your dishwasher, fresh detergent works best. You want a dry space to keep them in, with the lid shut (if powdered). Don't buy so much in bulk that you're still using the same box 6 months from now or more, it just won't work as well as fresh detergent. When it's become a solid rock of detergent block, throw it out.
Of course, there could be something really wrong with your washing machine. If these don't help, call your local servicer for help. In Alabama, call Service Care and we'll take care of you.
Labels: servicer, washers, washing machines
