Here we go again. Are we using too much detergent?

[gelaundry4ever]

selling with more money

I've heard people say that detergent manufacturers want you to use more so they'll sell you more for money and an ounce is adequate no matter what or how filthy your clothes are. I've learned that not even the recommended amount is good enough for the filthiest loads, and some clothes loads need soaking.
Also, what happens when you have set-in stains like blood? I use Persil advanced clean ultra pacs and they do much better than Tide. Very little or no suds are present.

 

[hoover1100]

Detergent dosage

I have experimented with different dosages but have always found the recommended dosages on the pack are necessary.

We have fairly soft water here, 3.4dh, but I still find with any products I need to use the dosage for medium water to get best results.

Is blood a difficult stain to remove? Presumably it was before detergents had enzymes in them, but I have never had even bad, dried in blood stains not be completely removed first time even in a short wash with cheaper detergents. I have never needed to pre-treat a blood stains, just wash as usual.

 

[suburbanmd]

Why would detergent mfrs tell us to use too much

…when it’s sold by the number of loads in a package? A 113-load box of Tide, say, would be smaller and cost less to make if they lowered the dose. I know that legally speaking it’s sold by weight, but I think number of loads is what most consumers look at.

 

[me]

Reply#32

I was going to say the same thing. There's not much brand loyalty these days, many people shop for detergents on cost per wash, so it is in manufacturer's interests to give good advice and they test their products in washing machines to ensure it is accurate.

Recommending a larger dose than needed would cost manufacturer's sales, and advising to use too little would give poor results and could put people completely off the product. The one way it could be said manufacturers cheat in the UK is the dosage count given on the packet/bottle is still based on a 4 - 5kg machine, so with modern machines 8kg+ exaggerates the number of washes per packet.

I follow the detergent manufacturer's dosage guide for my machine size, water hardness (mine is 340ppm so pretty hard) and the soiling level, and follow the care label on the clothing for the most delicate item I put in the wash for wash type and temperature - usually 40°C medium (synthetic) wash for most clothing and I always add an extra rinse because otherwise I can feel the detergent residue and it brings me out it a rash, modern machines don't do enough rinsing by default.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

proper cycle

On top of that, I use the proper cycle for the best results. Most times, I'll use the normal cycle or heavy duty cycle for my everyday loads if the normal cycle is an eco cycle. If it's the real normal cycle, then I'll continue to use that cycle. Time is not my issue. Results are.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

to hoover1100

Cycle is important too. I always use the recommended cycle per load, not what a so-called "laundry expert" says who knows nothing about washing. No wonder why most people blindly follow his advice which leads to more laundry problems down the road.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

whitest whites

I'd use the whitest whites cycle when washing whites last. If it does take over 2 hours as he claims, I'd use the turbo wash if available. I'm not that in big of a rush. GEEZ!

 

[mark_wpduet]

I had been using powder for the longest time until recently switching to liquid... Now that I'm using liquid...I figured the manufacturers recommended amount would be way too much, right? But I decided to be good on my first use and measure what the recommended amount was....even though the lines on the cap are basically invisible without a flashlight. It's amazing how LITTLE detergent that is...and that's the manufactuers recommended amount... Honestly, I couldn't fathom using any less than that.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

recommended amount

I couldn't fathom using less than the recommended amount either. Seriously. It's not pure soap for crying out loud! And the reason why all these cycles are present on new machines because the manufacturer has different recommendations for different fabrics you're trying to wash. If I want to use the whitest whites cycle that takes allegedly 2 hours, fine! I can transfer the whites into the dryer the next morning when I wake up. Is it really that hard? And whites would be the last load I'd do with bleach! If my dad found out that I used just 2 tablespoons for a filthy load on the express cycle like that, he'd chew me out in a minute! Not in my house. It's extra heavy cycle or soaking. Period. And that was with my previous GE.

 

[Chetlaham]

Other than the possibility of itch with scented detergents I've never had an issue with over-dosing, but have found under-dosing leads to poor wash results and would imagine over time that grime would build up in the machine.

 

 

I've heard for years that those heaping doses of detergents in advertisements are meant to get people to buy more detergent, however I'm beginning to realize there may be truth to the pics.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

grime

Apparently, this so-called "expert" hasn't gotten the memo that using the smallest dosage leads to poor cleaning as well as using express for filthy sweaty loads. I could see overnight washing or soaking for the worst loads, but that would be in the most extreme cases. I do agree with him on using warm water, but color groups and fabric types have to be taken into consideration. I do use the suggested cottons cycle or a varying name like regular or normal not the eco one, just the heavy duty cycle on Speed Queen because I take cleanliness VERY seriously. I have to question his scientific methods.
What ever happened to plain old common sense? Not everything will be completely clean with just 2 tablespoons. I've learned that the hard way. As my dad would say, "We don't do lightweight washing around here when it comes to laundry." Back to the grime, people who take Patrick Richardson's advice are not washing away any grime in their clothes, let alone their machines.
Think about all the smells that are left behind using his "products". I don't believe what his book says, nor do I want to read that stupid book. I could just see people complaining about mold, mildue, and skin issues down the road and using his methods that waste time. I've also heard that he recommends using vodka in the laundry which I suspect will make this worse while trying to cover up the grime when in reality, makes it look worse. Oh well, perhaps I'm already getting cranky in my early 30's. 30 minutes is not enough unless the washer in question has turbo wash technology with powerful water recirculation jets and a powerful fresh water rinse jet. I could just imagine people throwing away their clothes sooner than later due to following that stupid advice. So, you're not really saving money as led to believe. Oh, and more cleaning cycles all because people don't read their actual owner's manuals and follow the recommendations set forth by the manual. I shouldn't have to keep bringing that up, but some people just don't get it. Chetlaham, I know how you feel. I'm old school when it comes to doing laundry, and it should be done the right way. Maybe I'm tripping and losing my mind, but washing clothes with heavy ground-in dirt and stains with just 2 tablespoons of soap will not come out or even work, period.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm losing my head, stuck in my bed over stupidity like this. Idiocy like this will get people sick with skin rashes, legions, deadly and harmful bacteria, etc. I use a real laundry detergent, fabric softener, and chlorine bleach in the proper quantities and use the correct cycle. Enzymes need time to work. No exceptions. I must say no more...[this post was last edited: 9/8/2024-18:32]