Kenmore's guides are firm about suds in the 110 washers. The front-loader's system, with less water, creates too much sudsing with a regular non-HE detergent, which will likely result in washer errors, longer cycle times, reduced rinsing, component failures and noticeable mold or mildew. The top-loader lists too much detergent, and non-HE detergent, as causes of suds that slow or stop draining and spinning: use only HE detergent, always measure, use less in very soft water, and to remove extra suds select Rinse & Spin and do not add detergent. Whirlpool's own table for the builder adds that Sud or Sd means too many suds: the washer extends rinsing, pausing tumbling and adding water for several rinses, and no-splash or easy-pour bleach can also cause suds.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer shows excessive suds, SUD or Sd behavior”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Non-HE detergent
What separates it There are heavy suds and errors because non HE detergent was used
How to confirm Use only HE detergent, and measure it for the load
- 2
Too much detergent
What separates it Sud or Sd shows and the loads are wet because too much detergent was used
How to confirm Measure and follow the maker's directions, and use less
- 3
Thickened bleach
What separates it Suds appear when bleach is used because the bleach is thickened
How to confirm Use regular liquid bleach, and not thickened bleach
- 4
A restricted drain
What separates it Sud shows with slow draining because of a restricted drain
How to confirm Straighten the hose and check the standpipe height
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): regular detergent was used
What separates it Excess suds keep the washer from operating correctly and rinsing properly
How to confirm Use only HE detergent and measure the amount for load size and soil level
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): a packet or additive was added incorrectly
What separates it Suds or residue remain in the tub and on the clothes after the cycle
How to confirm Place the packet in the basket before clothes, and use Rinse & Spin to clear suds
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether Sud or Sd showed and which lights
- Whether bleach was used in the wash
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedLet the washer clear suds
ReversibleLet the washer clear suds, if Sud shows with the Rinse light on, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Rinse & Spin
ReversibleRun Rinse and Spin, with no detergent, to clear the suds, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use HE detergent only
ReversibleUse HE detergent only, measured, and use less in soft water, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Change the bleach
ReversibleChange the bleach, and use regular liquid chlorine bleach, not thickened, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Clean Washer
ReversibleRun Clean Washer monthly, to clear the residue that makes suds, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Switch to HE detergent
ReversibleLow-water washing creates excessive sudsing with regular non-HE detergent, which Kenmore says leads to longer cycle times, reduced rinsing, component failures and noticeable mold or mildew. Use only detergent marked HE or High Efficiency and never go over the Max line.
Clear the suds
ReversibleTo remove extra suds select Rinse & Spin and do not add detergent. Heavy sand, pet hair, lint, detergent or bleach residues may need an additional rinse, so add a second rinse or use the Heavy soil level or Deep Fill option.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Why HE detergent
- HE detergents are made to produce the right amount of suds for the best performance; Kenmore says to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the amount, and that the washer's design uses less water. Regular detergent's suds cannot drain away in a low-water washer, so they stay in the drum and trigger the suds response.
- Measuring
- The top-loader's guide says to always measure detergent, use less for very soft water, and never use more than the detergent maker's recommendation. HE detergents come as 2x, 4x and 8x concentrates, so a dose for one concentration is wrong for another, and detergent pacs sized for large loads are too strong for small ones.
- After a suds event
- Run Rinse & Spin with no detergent, then the Clean Washer cycle so residue does not feed the next wash. Wipe the dispenser tray and door seal, and check the detergent type selector on the front-loader is set to the detergent actually in use. If the washer is used with more than one detergent, make sure none of them is a non-HE product.
- Front-loader guide: the SUD routine
- Kenmore's own 110.4996x guide says that when excessive suds are detected a suds routine starts by itself to remove the extra suds and make sure the clothes are rinsed properly. SUD is shown during rinsing and at the end of the cycle to tell you the routine ran, and the routine adds time to the original cycle. The guide's remedy is to use only HE (high-efficiency) detergent, and to complete the cycle without interrupting it.
- Detergent guidance
- Add a measured amount of detergent or a single-dose laundry packet into the basket. If using oxi boosters, color-safe bleach or fabric softener crystals, add to the bottom of the basket before the clothes. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the amount and do not exceed the Max line on the dispenser.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 110-series top-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If Sud returns with the right dose and a clear drain, call Kenmore on 1-800-4-MY-HOME
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Kenmore's own guide for the 110 front-loader in full: the pages that carry the troubleshooting, care and cleaning sections are images, so they were read by text recognition and checked against the printed page.
Whirlpool's own table of front-load washer codes, used for the builder's front-load platform.
Exact questions
Common questions
Do I add detergent to fix suds?+
No; select Rinse & Spin with no detergent.
Can bleach cause suds?+
Thickened, easy-pour or no-splash bleach can.
What does regular detergent do in this washer?+
Kenmore says it will likely result in washer errors, longer cycle times, reduced rinsing, component failures and noticeable mold or mildew.
What if suds keep the washer from spinning?+
Select Rinse & Spin to remove extra suds.