Suds that climb out of the detergent drawer or press against the door glass are one of the more alarming things a washing machine does, and one of the easier ones to fix. Foam is simply detergent that has not been rinsed away. The question is why there was too much of it in the drum.
What causes too many suds in a washing machine?
Too much detergent is the cause in most cases. A washing machine only needs enough detergent to do the job on the amount of soil in the load. Anything beyond that turns to foam, and the machine cannot rinse it out in the water it is designed to use. The usual reasons are:
- A heavy dose. Detergent packs give a dose for a full, normally soiled load. A half load or a lightly worn load needs less.
- The wrong detergent for the machine. Front loaders use little water and need a low-foam detergent made for them. Regular detergent in a front loader can foam heavily. The pack will say which machine it suits.
- Residue from earlier washes. Detergent and softener build up in the drawer, the seal and the outer tub, and release as foam in later washes.
- Other soaps in the drum. Dishwashing liquid, hand soap or shampoo foams far more than laundry detergent and should never go into a washing machine.
- Soft water. Softer water foams more for the same amount of detergent, so the pack dose can be too much.
Our guide on powder versus liquid detergent covers which type manufacturers recommend for front and top loaders.
How do I clear suds from a washing machine?
Stop the cycle and let the foam settle before doing anything else. Then:
- Wipe up any foam that has escaped, and dry the floor, since soapy water on tiles or vinyl is a slip risk.
- Leave the door closed on a front loader until the cycle has paused and the foam has dropped. Some machines lock the door during a wash.
- Run a rinse and spin with no detergent. If the drum still shows foam, repeat it until the water runs clear.
- Do not pour in dishwashing liquid, vinegar or fabric softener to break the foam. It adds to the problem or leaves a residue of its own.
If the machine stops on an error or will not drain after the foam, run the empty rinse again. If it still will not drain, see our guide to a washing machine that will not drain or spin.
How do I stop it happening again?
- Measure the detergent. Use the dose on the pack for the load size, and cut it back for small or lightly soiled loads.
- Use the detergent type made for your machine, and the dispenser compartment it is meant for.
- Clean the drawer and the door seal now and then. Pull the drawer out, wash it under the tap and clear the cavity behind it. The steps for the seal and drum are in our guide to cleaning a front-load washing machine.
- Do not overfill the drum. A packed load leaves less room for water to rinse.
When are suds a sign of a fault?
Foam on its own is a detergent problem. These point to something else:
- Suds with the correct dose of the right detergent, repeated over several washes. A drum or tub coated in old residue, or a water inlet problem, can cause it.
- The machine fills slowly or too little. Less water means less rinsing. A blocked inlet filter or a failing inlet valve can do this. Our guide to a washing machine that will not fill or start lists the checks.
- Foam together with a leak. Water from the door seal, the hose connections or under the machine needs a different diagnosis. See why a washing machine leaks.
- Drain or spin errors that persist once the foam is gone.
A technician can test the inlet valve, pressure sensor and drain pump, and take the outer tub apart where residue is the problem.
Is it worth repairing?
Usually. Inlet valves, sensors and pumps are small parts on a machine that is otherwise sound. A washer that fails early may also be covered by the ACCC consumer guarantees, which apply on top of any manufacturer warranty, so check before paying for a repair on a recent purchase.
We repair front loaders and top loaders across the Illawarra and South Coast. The assessment is $125 in the Illawarra and $145 further out on the South Coast, with a quote before any repair begins. The fault list is on our washing machine repair page.
Book online or call 02 4229 3777 with the make, the model and a description of when the foam appears.
