Washing machine spilling foam with liquid detergent

ripplyuk

This Zanussi machine has been nothing but problems since I got it. The latest is that when I use liquid detergents, the whole drum fills with foam and then the water starts pouring out the drawer. It does not happen when using powder (no matter what type). Does anyone know why this is? I’ve experimented with different dosages but that hasn’t made any difference. 

neilmcl

Change to a different detergent and use a lower dose, and don't overfill your machine. I normally use Fairy non bio but had a few months using Ariel for a change and found that to foam up so much more, especially when washing towels. I've gone back to Fairy.

ripplyuk

@neilmcl This happens with every liquid detergent I’ve tried, apart from woolite which isn’t suitable for everything. I just use the powder now but I’m still curious about why this happens, especially since there are certain cycles that Zanussi recommend using liquid detergent for. 

The first engineer said I must be using too much detergent and I should half it. The second one told me that not using enough detergent is the problem (something to do with not enough ‘anti-foaming agents’) and that I should always use the recommended dose. 

coffeehound

Hotter washes seem to produce more suds.  Have you noticed whether it just happens on 60C or is it the same with all?

ripplyuk

@coffeehound No, it’s all temperatures, even 30C. 

I’ve never had a washing machine do this before. It’s amazing the amount of suds it can produce in a short time. 

coffeehound

How strange.  Do any user reviews of the machine say the same thing?  Wonder if the pump is somehow dragging air into the water as it runs?  

neilmcl

I'd have a look at how your drain hose is positioned.

Ectophile

Are you using the amount of liquid detergent recommend on the bottle?  If so, don't.

The amounts they recommend are still based on the old machines that filled the drum with water. Modern machines use much less water, and so need less detergent.

I use about half to two thirds of the recommended amount.

ripplyuk

@Ectophile I tried using half the recommended dose but it made no difference. 

ripplyuk

neilmcl said:

I'd have a look at how your drain hose is positioned.

@neilmcl What should I be looking for? The engineer had a look at the back but he just said it all seemed fine.