In this article, we will explore how much detergent you need for your front-loading washing machine. There are several reasons why using too much detergent is not advisable, which we will outline in this article. Among these reasons are: reducing the machine's lifespan, developing unpleasant odors from the machine over time, and environmental concerns.

Part 1

Step 1: Determine Your Water Type

Step 1

Determine if you have hard or soft water. If you have soft water, you will need less detergent.

  • You can quickly check if you're using enough detergent by running the machine on a normal cycle, but DO NOT ADD detergent. Also, do not load clothes; run the machine empty.
  • After 5 minutes of operation before the first spin, check for soap bubbles in the water. You will need a flashlight to see through the glass door of the machine. You can also pause the cycle, and when you hear the door lock click, open the door to check for bubbles.
  • After this, close the door and resume the wash. The first full wash cycle occurs when detergent mixes with the clothes. The full cycle is used for rinsing the clothes after the spin.
  • If there is soap residue after the last spin, it means you used too much detergent, and even after normal rinse cycles, it is not completely washed away. This damages clothes since detergent should not remain on them after washing.
  • You can also check for detergent residues by placing CLEAN, unused towels in the drum and running a normal wash cycle WITHOUT adding detergent. At the end of the cycle, check if there are soap bubbles in the water. If there are, it means there are residues from previous washes.

Step 2: If You Have Soft Water, Only 1 Tablespoon is Needed

Step 2

If you have soft water, you will only need 1 tablespoon (1/16 cup) of high-quality detergent. Some people say that both powder and liquid gel can be used. Among these people are those who have repaired front-loading washing machines. Powder detergent does not dissolve completely and can remain in the crevices of the machine's internal parts, which can lead to malfunctions over time. Therefore, use only liquid laundry gel in the specific amount suitable for your water type.

Step 3: If You Have Hard Water, Never Use More Than 2 Tablespoons

Step 3

If you have hard water, never use more than 2 tablespoons (1/8 cup) of high-quality liquid laundry gel. 2 tablespoons of liquid is just enough to cover the bottom of the measuring cap provided by manufacturers.

  • Consider that for detergent manufacturers, this is a business, and they will never tell you to use less detergent because it would lead to their loss. Washing machine manufacturers also won’t advise you to use less detergent because using too much can lead to premature machine failure, causing you to become a customer sooner than necessary, which benefits them financially.

Step 4: After Determining the Right Amount of Detergent, Test It Every Month or Two

Step 4

After determining the right amount of detergent (as described above), perform that same test every month or two to ensure that you're measuring correctly based on your water type and detergent brand. Here’s how your machine parts may look if you use too much detergent.

Step 5: Using Excess Detergent Can Cause Odors in Front-Loading Machines

Step 5

Using excess detergent can also lead to unpleasant odors typical of front-loading machines. Black mold that thrives in your machine's pipes feeds on detergent, which causes your clothes to smell bad. If you use the right amount of detergent, your machine might not have this odor, but eventually, all front-loading machines will develop it over time.

Step 6: Consider Installing Ventilation for Your Washing Machine

Step 6

Consider installing ventilation for your washing machine. There is a device that can help eliminate unpleasant odors from the machine. It's called a washing machine vent, and it is installed directly on the vent hole behind the machine, circulating air within it. Just leave the door slightly open after using the machine to let out stale air. After a few days of installing the ventilation, the odor will disappear and will not return as long as the vent is operating and the door is left open. The ventilation, running 24/7, will cost only a few cents a month. Search for “washing machine vent” on Google, and you will find a website where you can buy it online and install it yourself. There are many videos available that show the installation process.