How do you minimize bubbles draining out of a washing machine?

Question

Too many bubbles are causing damage to the sheetrock that houses the drain mounted on the wall behind my washing machine. Other than using very little detergent, I haven't been able to figure out what I could do that would reduce the bubbles formed during draining.

Answer 1

I agree to try the new HE detergents. They are for front loaders but I don't see why you can't use them in a top loader. They are low sudsing.

Answer 2

Sounds as though you are putting too much soap in the wash OR the drain isn't being directed directly into the vertical part of the drain OR the drain is partially plugged (if the water backs up when it drains). Wish I could watch the things empty.
To check to see that you aren't over soaping, let the thing finish a wash, then start another cycle without adding any soap. When it finishes filling let it agitate for a minute. Then stop the agitating, put your hand in the water and see if you feel ANY soapiness. If you can, you've used too much soap. Too much soap is, by the way, the chief "sin" of washer operators.

Answer 3

First, snake your drain to make sure it isn't blocked. There shouldn't be bubbles backing up like that. Try putting a lint trap on your discharge hose as well to keep lint from plugging the drain in future.
And use less soap. Most detergents reccommend using more than you actually need for regular cleaning anyway. (that way you buy more often)

Answer 4

Change detergents or try a different wash cycle, you shouldn't have bubbles going down the drain to start with.

Answer 5

If you have a laundry/utility sink near the washer, you can put the washer drain into it. I did that. No more bubbles running down the wall. Most people don't see the water that drains from their washers, so maybe they don't know how many bubbles actually form. You may already have a pipe that runs into the sink, and you can tie the washer hose to that and aim it down so it stays.

Answer 6

put a shield between drain and wall, that will keep bubbles away from sheet rock. could use wood, metal or even simplier a piece of aluminum foil would work.

Answer 7

Use one of the new low-sudsing soaps. I think they are called HE (for high efficiency washers). Tide makes one in powder and liquid form. They are very effective, but they do not suds very much.

Answer 8

Use low-suds detergent. Amway and Sears are two good brands.