How Much Detergent To Use On Non Cotton Loads?

[Sara Brown]

Detergent usage is often specified for 4-5kg loads with an additional amount for larger machines. It is only the cottons loads that will generally take the full load though. How much detergent should therefore be added to, for example, a minimum irons load which is set as 3kg max or a woollens load at 2kg max? Should I halve the amount that I put in the 6kg cottons load or do you use the same amount? Never thought about this before and have always loaded the normal amount for hard water, but the machine I have just ordered as a % load/detergent calculation and I therefore need to know what I am reducing the detergent level from!! I also don't want to ruin my new miele machine or end up with too many rinses because I have used too much detergent!

Thanks Sara

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

That's a good question. Many people overload the washing machine when washing laundry other than cottons because they don't realise that other types of laundry have much smaller maximum load recommendations (as highlighted in one of my recent blog articles, Laundry getting badly creased?)

My guess is that the amount of detergent required is related not only to the level of soiling and the level of water hardness but the amount of water in the washing machine. Smaller loads may not mean a significant drop in water usage (although many modern washing machines now have the ability to reduce or increase water levels according to the absorbency of the laundry).

If the washing machine is using the same amount of water, it may be better to use the same quantity of detergent, especially if in moderate or hard water areas.