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How much laundry detergent should I use?

Submitted by wcj1 on Wed, Mar. 24, 2010

I use Free & Clear powder laundry detergent and I just bought a new front loading/HE washer. Maybe I am missing something, but my washer manual says to follow the detergent instructions for amount of detergent and the free & clear box says following the machine instructions for amount. I have read that with some HE detergents, one should only use a tablespoon per load. Is that the same rule of thumb for Seventh Generation?

BillJ

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Comments (7)

barbarawc
Wed, Jun. 02, 2010

Bill- That's probably

Bill-

That's probably around the amount I "intuitively" used when doing my first couple of loads yesterday- about 2 1/2 Tbsp, which would be half of the line on the scoop, or 1/2 of recommendation on the box.

Thanks.
Barbara

wcj1
Wed, Jun. 02, 2010

For 1 oz, I used a shot

For 1 oz, I used a shot glass the first time. This turned out to be what I was estimating with the plastic scoop: about 1/2 full according to the line on the scoop (so maybe 1/3 of the scoop full if you filled it to the brim). That seems to be working for me.

BillJ

barbarawc
Wed, Jun. 02, 2010

How much?

I'm trying SG Natural Laundry powdered detergent (citrus Bergamont- has HE symbol) for the first time in my HE front loader machine. I see above that you are recommending 1 ounce. On my box, it says to use 1/3 cup (about 5 Tbsp) for either HE or conventional machine. Is the one ounce recommendation dry weight, or volume, and how many tablespoons does this equate to? I haven't got a scale, but 1/3 of a cup volume wise is about 2.6 ounces. The 1/3 cup recommendation on the box seems like a lot of soap for a medium sized load in an HE front loader.

I'm assuming the one ounce recommendation is for a medium size load.

Thanks.
Barbara

Consumer Insights Team
Thu, Apr. 15, 2010

:-)

You will be very happy to know that this is a project right now,

wcj1
Thu, Apr. 15, 2010

measuring cup

Thank you. If you could also put a mark on the measuring cup at some point, that would help too.
BillJ

Consumer Insights Team
Thu, Apr. 15, 2010

Sorry for the confusion for the powdered laundry detergent.

The recommended amount to use is 1oz, if the box does have the HE symbol on it. If it doesn't have the symbol, we don't recommend that you use that formula. Happily, I can tell you that we have realized this frustration and will fix the directions at the next printing. Sorry for the delay in this response. - Sue

JohnS
Thu, Apr. 15, 2010

I have the same question.

I have the same question. The LG washing machine manual says to never exceed the detergent manufacturer's recommended amount. The Seventh Generation powdered detergent box says to follow the washing machine manufacturer's recommendation.

One of you has to decide.