Washer not rinsing well

Please tell me there is an easy way to fix this problem.  My new washing machine just does not rinse well at all.  I run extra rinse cycles and still have water full of suds.  I'm almost positive it's because of the "efficiency" of newer machines, but I'm hoping not.  We live in a hard water area and I've been using bio laundry tablets, 2 per load, if that makes a difference.  I'm not over-loading.

Neither of us have sensitive skin, but the poor rinsing is causing a real problem with our nappy washing.  Who knew they'd smell so bad if you didn't get all the detergent out.  We use Surcare on her stuff and it's a bit less sudsy. 

Please help!

I can't help you with the rinsing issue - hopefully Paul or Wench will see this - but I can tell you that my Grandfather used to work for DuPont. One of the things he always told us was that you NEVER need as much detergent as the package says. It's a total scam to get you to use more of their product. I stopped using the tablets ages ago because I found they left streaks on my dark stuff (was living in Uni housing at the time so probably more a reflection of those washers!). But when I did use them, I always used one instead of 2 and never had a problem. We now use liquid or powder and I always use about half of what they suggest.

If your washer is new, is it still under warranty? If so, I'd get it checked out because I really don't think it should be doing that at all.

Does the water level during the rinse cycles seem to be exceptionally low?  If so, then you could have a faulty level sensor.

Some of the newer machines do indeed seem to have very low water levels as part of the overall "efficiency" drive.  I had one a few years ago which was so low that I ended up rewiring the sensors/programmer to give a higher water level for rinsing.

Interesting. I do have sensitive skin and since purchasing a new washing machine (because my old one finally broke down), I have developed a rash.

The drum fills about 1/3 of the way during rinses, but the manual warns that the water levels may seem low due to the "efficiency".  (It's only efficient if you don't need to run extra rinses just to get the soap out )  The baby and I have spent an exciting afternoon sitting on the kitchen floor watching the cycles and it is actually cycling, the soap just isn't coming out.

Does anyone know if liquid detergent rinses more easily than powder?

Interesting. I do have sensitive skin and since purchasing a new washing machine (because my old one finally broke down), I have developed a rash.

If it has a glass door, try watching during the final rinse.  If there's still soap there it will be very obvious.

I use liquid detergent and I've had times when it hasn't rinsed quite so well. For me it's been due to the amount of clothes I've had in there. I tend to try to fill it up since I was raised that you can't do a load of laundry unless the washer would be full to the top. 

...One of the things he always told us was that you NEVER need as much detergent as the package says.

My grandmother used to say the same thing. To this day I use about half the recommended dose for my laundry and my clothes always turn out clean. 

The drum fills about 1/3 of the way during rinses, but the manual warns that the water levels may seem low due to the "efficiency". 

Probably what it's designed for then.   

Wench will probably see this eventually and comment, but I've seen some machines where soap powder has clogged a little in the pipework between the soap tray and drum, especially ones plumbed for cold-fill only, so that what should be clear rinsing water is still picking up some soap on its way down.  (I'm assuming this is a top-loader with a pull-out drawer for the soap powder?)   

Pouring some hot water down the tray can help sometimes, as can running the machine empty through a wash cycle on the hottest setting available (i.e. no clothes, no soap powder, just let it get good and hot to help clear old soap powder from inside the drum).

Pouring some hot water down the tray can help sometimes, as can running the machine empty through a wash cycle on the hottest setting available (i.e. no clothes, no soap powder, just let it get good and hot to help clear old soap powder from inside the drum).

I've done a 90C wash with no clothes or soap, but the hot water through the soap drawer is a good idea.  I'll have to try that next.

I can just pull my soap drawer out of the machine & wash it by itself.  Are you able to do that?

Mine isn't rinsing at all, I actually washed the clothes then hung them out in the rain, and Hughes aren't touching the washer untilwe have the hot water spout tapped off...ARGH!

I can just pull my soap drawer out of the machine & wash it by itself.  Are you able to do that?

Yeah, and have done.  I think Paul might be referring to build up in the pipes that carry the soapy water from that drawer to the drum - I haven't tried cleaning that out yet and that only has a cold water feed.

I think Paul might be referring to build up in the pipes that carry the soapy water from that drawer to the drum

Yes, that's what I meant.