What to do if during a machine wash you realize that you have overdone it with detergent and have too much foam in the drum? Here’s how to fix.
Causes of excess foam in the washing machine
Obviously, if at the end of the wash you find yourself with too much foam in the drum, it is not to be considered a positive thing. If you use too much detergent compared to how many cloths have been placed in the drum, too much foam will be created during washing. And if suds persist in the drum once the wash is finished, it is highly likely, if not sure, that the same detergent will not have been properly rinsed off the freshly washed laundry.
Using too much soap does not guarantee better cleaning. On the contrary, if it remains on clothing, once worn you may have itching due to the detergent that has not been rinsed off and comes into contact with the skin.
In addition, overdoing it with soap can also cause problems with the washing machine, as well as clothes, risking clogging the drain pipes. So how can you remove excess foam and prevent the problem from arising?
How to solve the problem?
When you realize that the washing machine drum is really too full of foam, the first method to act is to take advantage of the fabric softener. It seems counterintuitive, yet the surfactants present in this type of product are of the opposite type to those present in detergents. This means that if the two surfactants come into contact, they cancel each other out. This is why detergent and fabric softener have two separate special compartments, in the detergent door.
In addition, an excess of detergent could stain clothes, as it is not rinsed properly, to end up performing the opposite function to that for which it is used.
Another problem related to excessive use of detergent is that it can damage the laundry even permanently, causing small holes in the fabric or wearing out some parts.
Another drawback given by excessive use of detergent is the bad smell.
Not being rinsed perfectly, the cloths can release a bad smell, as well as the drum itself. Generally, detergents indicate the doses suitable for the various types of washing, it would be advisable to follow the instructions and not exceed.
How to remove excess foam from the washing machine
If the best solution for laundry is fabric softener or a new wash, for the washing machine drum there are several methods that can be used. One of the best known involves the use of coarse table salt.
To put it into practice, simply pour coarse table salt into the appropriate detergent tray. Alternatively, you can interrupt the current washing program, open the washing machine door and spread a handful of coarse salt directly into the drum, then restart the program from where it left off.
In addition to helping against excess foam, coarse salt has a cleaning action, is an excellent stain remover for cloths, has a softening function on fabrics and also prevents the formation of limescale. It can also help remove dirt residue that accumulates in the seals.
Another valid alternative involves the use of white vinegar. In this case, simply fill the detergent compartment with vinegar and then start washing in rinse mode. The vinegar will come into action by absorbing the foam by neutralizing the detergent residues. It is also an excellent ally of the garments: it will make them soft and neutralize any unpleasant odors. Vinegar is also suitable for use directly in the drum, especially for general cleaning of the washing machine.
In this case, the procedure must be carried out with the washing machine empty. It is necessary to pour about 1 liter of vinegar directly into the drum and then start washing at 90 °. In this way, the drum will be sanitized and free from bad odors.
For a more thorough cleaning, remember to clean the gasket well with a damp cloth, so as to remove any soap residue.
