if you fill the f/s cup too high, it'll syphen out right away. Don't fill it all the way.

Half the recommended amount of Tide detergent might still be too much. I havemn't tried the powdered version, but did have problems with the rinsing performance of the liquid Tide HE. I use the Tide just for my towels now, but cut back the amount to maybe a quarter of the recommended amount...probably even less. Our towels are normally not that dirty, so I can't tell you how good the cleaning performance is at such a low dosage. I will not buy any Tide when my current supply is used up.
I like the Sears detergent. It is pretty cheap and cleans and rinses well.

I have the same washer and dryer and I have used vinegar in the FS slot without any problems. If you use very little you might not be able to see it, but it doesn't get released until the rinse cycle starts. I have never filled it up all the way, but I think regus_patoff has a good point.

"...the amount they recommend. "

What is source of that recommendation? How much -- measured amount -- are you using? What do you know about hardness/softness of your water...have you tested it?

FWIW...I have Duet (similar to your Bosch) and zero-grains soft water. I use a 1/4-1/2 cup of Tide HE powder for a normal full load plus 1/2-3/4 dispenser full of downy for some loads. In three years I have had excellent results and none of the problems you've described.

I use half of what is recommended on the tide box.
I did get a bottle of Woolite with the machine and I'll try that next time I wash towels.
I know nothing about how hard/soft my water is . I think it is just average. I know it is not super hard or as soft as water is when someone has a water softener.

My daughter has a duet and she said she has not noticed that her towels are stiff. She said she uses the Tide HE liquid and also uses less that what it says on the Tide bottle.
I'll just keep experimenting. Perhaps I still used too much.
Today I did a load of regular clothes with a TBSP of some homemade laundry detergent, made with Castile soap/borax/washing soda and the clothes came out very clean and very soft . I had items in the load that normal come out full of static and they came out like I had used fabric softener.

Exactly what -- as in how much; as in some measured commonly-understood quantity -- is recommended on the tide box? You've said your water isn't hard but now you've said you don't know so I don't know anything about that either.

You know, I'd really like to help out but I'm not going to wrestle you for the basics. Suggest you experiment until you find some combination that works.

Good luck.

Here is a little trick that I discovered. Continue with your detergent dosage and vinegar rinse, but add a little fabric softener AND dry your towels on the low/gentle setting. Takes longer to dry but seems to work well. I have an electric dryer.

Try 1 Tablespoon of Tide He and see what happens. I've found that detergent manufacturers recommend way more than what is normally needed, so I experiment. I've come up with what works in my water and soil conditions and use the least amount that will still get the clothes clean and well rinsed.

For me I can use less if the temperature I am using is higher.
Higher temp = less detergent
Lower temp = more detergent
Not so dirty = less detergent
Really dirty and a stain = more detergent, but I have never used the recommended amount stated on a box.

Your home made detergent - it cleaned, there were low suds formed, and everything was rinsed well, why not use it? I like the sound of it.

Thanks everyone.
I was using 2 1/2 TBSP of the Tide HE and was not noticing other things being stiff and hard, just the towels.
I cut back to 2 TBSP this morning for bedding and they were fine.
I'll try my homemade stuff (with the castile soap) on the next load of towels I do . I only used one TBSP of that.
I'll either switch to that or try the Sears when the Tide is gone.

I'd definitely cut the amount. I'm finding that Tide, unlike other brands just doesn't need as much to do the job well. And yes, the recommended amounts are often way too much. Part of course is to use more so you buy more but also they have to account for some people using ice cold, super-hard water to people using truly hot soft water! So only use those recommendations as a starting guideline.

FWIW, since I've switched to Tide (Free & Clear, Sensitive Skin or whatever they call the perfume/dye free version) and adjusting the doseage down my towels are softer (and cleaner) than ever before.

chloe45, I have been out all afternoon looking at W/Ds. I have it narrowed down to the LG or the Bosch. Overall do you LOVE your Bosch? I want the Bosch because I feel like it is a "simple" unit that will do a great job. My husband prefers the LG - I think because of all the bells and whitsles. I just want a machine that will do a GREAT job and keep up with our family of 6!
Thanks for your input!

yes, I really like it and would buy it again . I feel like my clothes are coming out really clean. I've only had it two weeks. I think I probably used too much soap in that load of towels.
Something to consider is repair /parts availability in your area.
I would talk to the service person in your area for both machines. You can find them on the manufacturer site.
That LG is a really good looking machine.:)
It seems to me the more bells and whistles you have the more there is to break down. And in the end, I never use all those bells and whistles.
I have a 3 year old Bosch dishwasher and really like it so that pulled me in the Bosch direction.
I also considered the Duet. My daughter has it and likes it but I think there may be a problem with a week door handle on that. The one in the store was broken.
Good luck with your decision. They cost a lot and you sure don't want to buy something you will hate.
I was worried that there might be a steep learning curve, but I've adjusted without any problems. My only worry is that on the rare occasion that my husband will do a load, he will throw in a cup of detergent. He doesn't follow directions very well . LOL

Another suggestion might be to buy those dryer balls... I started using them recently and they seem to help 'soften' the load... my towels were terribly hard when I first switched to the Charlie's soap... but that has gone away... It could just be the difference inthe machines and pulling out old soap that is going on with your machine swicth... died you have a fl before??? I know when I switched to the bosch machine from my old maytag tl... my towels in particular made the lad terrible sudsy and took forever the first several washings to do... I think it was years of old soap and fs coming out... also... try and extra rinse and see if that helps... takes out extra residue and maybe that's what is going on...

good luck