Do you think detergent needs to foam before your clothes are clean? Listen to the experts.
Many mothers may believe that the more detergent foam they use when washing clothes, the cleaner the clothes will be. However, this assumption is not entirely true, especially for automatic washing machines.
Cleaning expert Ann Russell explained that excess suds can actually interfere with the washing process. She made this comment in response to a TikTok video by a creator showing two washing machines running side by side.
In the video, one washing machine appears to be full of suds, while the other barely has any bubbles at all. The creator admitted that he always felt like his detergent was low because the water in his washing machine looked like “dirty water with no suds.”
So, is it true that detergents that foam are cleaner than those that don’t? Read the explanation here, Moms.
Does a lot of detergent foam mean cleaner laundry?
In response, Russell explained that detergents specifically for automatic washing machines are designed to produce fewer suds. This doesn’t mean clothes aren’t clean because they produce fewer suds.
“Foam actually hinders the cleaning process, not helps remove dirt. Foam tends to trap dirt in clothes when it should be released and washed away by the water,” said Russell.
He added that a washing machine producing too much foam is likely using too much detergent or the wrong type of detergent. According to Russell, a washing machine with few foams is actually a sign of proper detergent use.
The process of movement and friction of clothing has more influence
Russell also explained that the actual amount of detergent needed to wash clothes isn’t that much. The primary cleaning process comes from the movement and friction of the clothes in the water as the machine runs.
Meanwhile, detergent is more functional in helping to remove stubborn stains from fabric fibers.
“Detergents designed for automatic washing machines, both front-loading and top-loading, are designed to produce little suds because suds hinder cleaning, they don’t help remove dirt, they tend to hold dirt in, and we want that dirt to come out and be released,” he added.
The bad effects of using too much detergent
Russell warns that excessive suds can hinder the rinsing process, leaving detergent and dirt residue stuck to clothes.
This condition not only makes clothes less clean but can also cause skin problems, such as irritation. Furthermore, persistent detergent residue can also damage clothing fibers in the long term.
