Low Sudsing Laundry Detergents

Question:
“James from your company came and solved our immediate problem with an overflow yesterday” (due to a clogged washing machine waste line) “and mentioned that someone at Narrow Way might be able to recommend a low sudsing laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid that might alleviate some of the stress on our outflow pipe capacity. Can you send me some recommendations?”
Condo Association (via email)

Answer: As far as low sudsing detergents it is best to use any kind of liquid detergent rather then powder to keep solids from forming in the discharge pipe or any waste lines. Gain as well as many other main companies provide a standard type of low suds soaps (for both washing machines and dish washers) which is always a good thing to use (just look on the label and make sure it says “low suds”). However more then likely it is not the type of detergent being used but the quantity. People are probably using to much thinking it will make their cloths cleaner, instead the large volume or powdered detergent is clogging up the waste pipe and building up along the inside of the pipe, causing the overflow.
– Micah Nelson (via email) NWP&H Dispatcher