Question for owners of front loading washers

[momtoemma]

I have a Kenmore HE4t model front loading washer, and it quit working over the weekend. The repair person told me that I was using way too much soap as the pump was totally clogged with it. I have only used the Tide that is specially designed for this type of machine (HE), and I usually use up the the 2 line on the cap. I know that it is easy to use too much soap if you continue to use regular detergent, but I didn't know this was that much of a concern with the special detergent. So, how much soap do you use in your front loader?

Thanks,

[HannaAddict]

A teeny, tiny bit compared to our former washing machine. Such a small amount in fact, that it seems like it couldn't possibly get all the clothes clean, but it does. We use regular detergent (generallywhatever is on sale) and just put a small amount in, maybe 1/4 capful? We don't fill it to any line. We had a hard time finding the special HE detergent and used it once, and still used less than the lines on the cap. It doesn't take much.

I would be upset at the machine totally shutting down though after the considerable $$ investment and buying the special detergent. Even if under warranty, being without a washer is a pain.

Kimberly
DS 3/18/04

[tny915]

I just got an HE3 last month and am pretty paranoid in my worries about using too much soap. When I bought the machine, the salesman showed me a Tide HE bottle and said for a full load to fill to the lowest line. He had on display a fully loaded machine and told me chances are I'd rarely wash a full load--he's right. So if I have the machine half full, I put in between 1/3 and 1/2-way to the lowest line on the cup. I generally think about how much I want to use, then put in a little less than that.

I think I ran a load last week with too much soap since there were still some suds sitting on the rubber gasket near the door. I just put them through for an extra rinse.

Your post is going to make me even more cautious. Hopefully the repairs weren't too pricey!

[momtoemma]

Well, I sure can't say that I'm happy that it has already broken down! However, upon further investigation, it doesn't appear that too much soap in the pump was actually what is causing my current problem. It's a good warning for me though. From now on, I'm going to use at least half the amount of soap I have been using. I've never seen soap sitting in the machine or suds, so it never crossed my mind that I might be using too much soap. The machine is still under full warranty thank gooness or you'd probably be seeing this post in the b*tching section! As it turns out, the door lock mechanism is not working. Without being able to lock the door, the machine won't function at all either. I'm not sure I am any happier that this has failed so early on either, but at least I won't have to pay to have it fixed. I do have to wait for the part though! Is it even possible for a repair person to actually be able to fix something the first time they come out?

[Momof3Labs]

Do you have hard water or soft water? You should use much less soap with soft water than with hard.

We have very hard water, and I need to use nearly a full cup of Tide HE to get DS's diapers clean, so that's what I use on the rest of the laundry too.

[Marisa6826]

Just below the '1' on the HE cap.

There's no reason to use the full cap. It's a ploy by the manufacturers to make us buy more. Seriously. Do a search about detergents in the Butts forum. You will be AMAZED.

-m

[ellies mom]

I use regular detergent, so I only use maybe 2-3 tablespoons. DH wants to get the HE stuff, but the idea of paying for diluted detergent really bothers me. He does his clothes and said they were itchy. I think he was using too much before, but now he seems to have gotten the hang of it because he hasn't been complaining.

[bunnisa]

Did a lot of research on this before getting a FL.
We use 2T at the most. Sometimes less.

Bethany
mom to one and one on the way!
http://lilypie.com/days/060226/0/8/1/-6/.png

[phirey]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I think this is along the same lines. We have an HE4t that we bought at the Sears Outlet, and never got a manual with it :-(

I fill my soap based on the little drawer where you put it. It has a line/piece of plastic that says "Max" on it. So if it's a full load I go to the line. I betcha I'm overfilling it, huh? What does the manual say is a full load and if it's only halfway up the drum, should I only use half as much??? And how much Downy do you use?

[phirey]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I think this is along the same lines. We have an HE4t that we bought at the Sears Outlet, and never got a manual with it :-(

I fill my soap based on the little drawer where you put it. It has a line/piece of plastic that says "Max" on it. So if it's a full load I go to the line. I betcha I'm overfilling it, huh? What does the manual say is a full load and if it's only halfway up the drum, should I only use half as much??? And how much Downy do you use?

[mudder17]

Umm...for the HE detergent, maybe a tablespoon? Actually for HE and regular detergent, I use maybe a tablespoon. If the load is particularly dirty, I might use 2 tablespoons of the HE, but that's rare and I CD!

ETA: if you look at the wash cycle and there are a fair amount of suds, use less next time. The suds actually make the cleaning action less efficient.

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[mudder17]

Umm...for the HE detergent, maybe a tablespoon? Actually for HE and regular detergent, I use maybe a tablespoon. If the load is particularly dirty, I might use 2 tablespoons of the HE, but that's rare and I CD!

ETA: if you look at the wash cycle and there are a fair amount of suds, use less next time. The suds actually make the cleaning action less efficient.

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[Momof3Labs]

But that REALLY depends on how hard your water is. If I only used a tablespoon or two of detergent in our hard water, I'd be better off just skipping washing our clothes all together! Pee-ewww!

[JElaineB]

I will concur with Lori. I have really hard water too and I have to use a whole capful of detergent in my front loader.

Jennifer
mom to Jacob 9/27/02