Soapy Laundry

[vindaloo1@netzero.com]

When I wash colored clothes like sweat pants, sweat shirts, etc. they
come out with a soapy film on them. I'm using warm water and have
tried using less detergent with no results.

After the clothes dry you can actually see patches on the clothes from
where the soap was. Any ideas how to solve this problem?

[Phisherman]

On 11 Feb 2006 08:59:27 -0800, vindaloo1@netzero.com wrote:

>When I wash colored clothes like sweat pants, sweat shirts, etc. they
>come out with a soapy film on them. I'm using warm water and have
>tried using less detergent with no results.
>
>After the clothes dry you can actually see patches on the clothes from
>where the soap was. Any ideas how to solve this problem?

This is detective work...
Determine the proper amount of detergent you really need--too much or
too little is not good. Add just enough detergent to make the water
slippery--no more. Don't overload your washer and use different-sized
articles in a single wash. Add vinegar to the rinse water. It's
possible your washer is not working properly. Dissolve powder
detergent to water rather than directly on dry clothes. Other things
to consider are water hardness, detergent brand/type, fabric
softeners/sheets, etc. I'm sure there are many other ideas.

[jes]

Phisherman wrote:
> On 11 Feb 2006 08:59:27 -0800, vindaloo1@netzero.com wrote:
>
> >When I wash colored clothes like sweat pants, sweat shirts, etc. they
> >come out with a soapy film on them. I'm using warm water and have
> >tried using less detergent with no results.
> >
> >After the clothes dry you can actually see patches on the clothes from
> >where the soap was. Any ideas how to solve this problem?
>
>
I remember a home economist's advice: strip your clothes if there's
too much of soap build up. She recommended running the clothes in a
cycle of dish washing detergent!

You might try to clean the washing maching by running a cycle of
vinegar and water.

Joan

[Sawney Beane]

vindaloo1@netzero.com wrote:
>
> When I wash colored clothes like sweat pants, sweat shirts, etc. they
> come out with a soapy film on them. I'm using warm water and have
> tried using less detergent with no results.
>
> After the clothes dry you can actually see patches on the clothes from
> where the soap was. Any ideas how to solve this problem?


Add washing soda. Soap is soluble because it's made with sodium or
potassium. Hard water has calcium or magnesium. When it replaces
the sodium or potassium in soap, it makes something insoluble that
sticks to clothes.

Washing soda is sodium carbonate. The carbonate makes calcium and
magnesium settle out and leave the soap alone. I think most brands
of powdered detergent contain sodium carbonate. They probably
don't all contain the same amount.
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[vindaloo1@netzero.com]

Thanks for all the info. I definitely have hard water. But whites
(using hot water) seem to come out fine. When I wash colored I use
warm water and I have tried using less detergent. Still no change.

[Phisherman]

On 12 Feb 2006 08:11:29 -0800, vindaloo1@netzero.com wrote:

>Thanks for all the info. I definitely have hard water. But whites
>(using hot water) seem to come out fine. When I wash colored I use
>warm water and I have tried using less detergent. Still no change.

I suspect your whites are leaving spots that you can't see. Consider
installing a water softener or add a water softener to your laundry.
Your clothes will be cleaner, you'll use less soap, and spots should
disappear.

[Vox Humana]

"Phisherman" <noone@nobody.com> wrote in message
news:uaevu1tbsllrc5nv40i8rktv8u3292b0vl@4ax.com...
> On 12 Feb 2006 08:11:29 -0800, vindaloo1@netzero.com wrote:
>
>>Thanks for all the info. I definitely have hard water. But whites
>>(using hot water) seem to come out fine. When I wash colored I use
>>warm water and I have tried using less detergent. Still no change.
>
> I suspect your whites are leaving spots that you can't see. Consider
> installing a water softener or add a water softener to your laundry.
> Your clothes will be cleaner, you'll use less soap, and spots should
> disappear.

A water softener is one of life's little pleasures. They aren't too awfully
expensive, and they are rather easy to install yourself if you have even the
most basic plumbing skills.

[vindaloo1@netzero.com]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into a water softening system.