Getting Rid of Soap Residue

If there is one laundry problem that is annoying, then it has to be soap residue. After all, isn't the laundry soap supposed to get rid of stains and not produce any new stains? Well, there are a few methods that you can use when getting rid of soap residue. While all of them will work, there are times when you may find yourself unwilling to try some of them. In situations such as this all you need to do is simply pick one that you like the best, and get to work.

• White vinegar. By adding a little bit of white vinegar to your laundry during can help remove many forms of soap residue. Often all you will need to do is add 1/2 cup of white vinegar during the first rinse cycle. While this will remove the soap residue, you will need to rinse your clothes at least one more time to be able to remove the mild smell of white vinegar.
• Limit detergent. Another method for getting rid of soap residue is to do something before you begin washing your clothes. In this case all you really need to do is limit the amount of detergent that you use. For example use a little bit less that the manufacturer's recommendation for the powdered detergent. Do not use a significant amount less, but only a fraction.
• Warmest possible cycles. While washing your clothes in cooler water is easier on your clothes and more energy efficient, it doesn't exactly help break up the soap very well. If you find yourself with more soap residue than you would like on your clothes, simply try using a warmer wash cycle. Often this is all that you will need to do to remove the problem.
• Liquid detergents. Liquid detergent has a lower probability of leaving any residue behind when compared to powdered detergents. This is often because of the cheaper powdered detergents will have extra silicates which can be more difficult to get rid of. However, if you are unwilling to spend the extra money on soaps, then simply do a few extra rinse cycles.
• Check your water type and pressure. Another common reason for soap residue is that the water you are using to wash your clothes could be too hard, or the water pressure could be too low. Check both of these and take the appropriate steps to correct them. For example if you have hard water, you can always install a water softener or change detergents. For water pressure problems you should check to make sure that your connections are secure, and if they are call a plumber.