at the spewing soap - doesn't sound good!! I have a 14 year old top loader hun, I fill up just under half of the middle thingy with the water mix and sometimes splash a bit around in the actual thing with the clothes!! Seems to work ok and I use the same mix with a cup of vinegar to wash out the machine as well. I think vinegar would make stuff softer as well, but I don't bother as this seems to work ok for now! I only use Ecostore or Bosistos Euc powder in the machine because of the kids eczema too.