How to dose laundry detergent correctly (and why most people get it wrong)

The detergent dose matters more than it seems. Too little will not shift stains, while too much rinses out poorly, leaves residue in the fabric and costs more. In this article you will find how much detergent to use depending on how soiled the laundry is and how hard your water is, where to pour liquid detergent and how to tell if you are using too much.

How much detergent to use: quick table

These are the doses for Ecozyme enzyme laundry detergent, as stated on the label. One cap holds 40 ml.

Laundry	Medium-hard or hard water	Soft water
Lightly soiled	40 ml	30 ml
Moderately soiled	50 ml	40 ml
Heavily soiled	60 ml	50 ml

For set-in stains, apply the detergent directly to the stain before washing and leave for 15–30 minutes. Doses for other detergents differ, so always check the label of the detergent you are using.

Where to pour liquid detergent

A washing machine drawer usually has three compartments:

• II or 2 (usually the largest): main wash. This is where liquid detergent and powder go.
• I or 1: pre-wash. Used only when a programme with pre-wash is selected.
• Flower or star (the smallest): fabric softener. Never pour detergent in here, as it would only be released during the final rinse and would stay in your clothes.

An alternative: pour the liquid detergent into a dosing ball or cup and place it straight in the drum on top of the laundry. That way the detergent leaves no residue in the drawer and reaches the water straight away. This method works especially well for programmes with a pre-wash, when some of the detergent in compartment II is flushed out too early. Do not pour detergent straight onto clothes without a dosing cup: the concentrate can leave a mark.

Why people often use too much

The "more means cleaner" myth

Up to the dose stated on the label, more detergent really does give a better result. Beyond it, the result only gets worse: the detergent does not have time to rinse out, and the residue coats the fibres and attracts dirt.

Pouring by eye

The most common mistake is pouring without measuring. A full cap is not always one dose: the Ecozyme cap holds 40 ml, while the caps of other detergents can hold 60–100 ml. Check how much your cap holds, and measure.

The same dose for every load

Everyday T-shirts and workwear need different amounts. If you always use as much as heavily soiled laundry needs, it will be too much for lightly soiled items.

The consequences of overdosing

• Residue in the fabric: clothes feel stiff, smell stronger and get dirty again more quickly.
• Wear and tear on clothes: an excessive concentration of surfactants thins the fibres and fades colours more quickly.
• Build-up in the washing machine: detergent residue combines with limescale and accumulates in the drum and pipes. How to clean it out: cleaning your washing machine at home.
• Money: double the dose means double the cost per wash.

Two things that determine the dose

1. Soiling level

• Lightly soiled: T-shirts, underwear, everyday clothes with no stains.
• Moderately soiled: bedding, towels, clothes soaked with sweat.
• Heavily soiled: workwear, tea towels, sportswear after a workout, grease stains.

2. Water hardness

In hard water, some of the detergent binds with calcium and magnesium ions and stops cleaning. That is why 10 ml less is enough in soft water.

Load size matters too: do not overload the drum, because tightly packed clothes have no room to wash and rinse properly.

Water hardness in Lithuania

Tap water in Lithuania is mostly medium-hard or hard, but it varies even between districts of the same city. Approximate figures (in German degrees, °dH): Vilnius 10–14, Kaunas 12–16, Klaipėda 6–10, Šiauliai 10–15, Panevėžys 12–17. You can find the exact water hardness for your home on your water supplier's website or check it with test strips (about 5–10 €).

• Soft (0–7 °dH): use 10 ml less, that is 30, 40 or 50 ml.
• Medium and hard (8–21 °dH): 40, 50 or 60 ml depending on soiling.
• Very hard (22+ °dH): consider using a water softener.

What to do if you have hard water

• Use a water softener (limescale binder) or add a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda to the main wash compartment.
• Wash at a lower temperature: hot hard water forms limescale more quickly.
• For towels and bedding, add fabric softener so they do not come out rough. Read more: laundry detergent in hard water.

Dosing Ecozyme

• Lightly soiled laundry: 40 ml, or 30 ml in soft water.
• Moderately soiled: 50 ml, or 40 ml in soft water.
• Heavily soiled: 60 ml, or 50 ml in soft water.
• Stains: pour directly onto the stain and leave for 15–30 minutes before washing.
• Temperature: the detergent is effective at 30–60 °C. Not suitable for wool and silk.
• A 1 l bottle is enough for up to 33 washes (at a 30 ml dose) or 25 washes at a 40 ml dose. The product page has a dosing calculator based on soiling and water hardness.

5 signs you are using too much

1. Clothes feel stiff and rough after washing.
2. Lots of foam during the main wash (correctly dosed detergent foams very little).
3. The water in an extra rinse is still foamy.
4. The scent on your clothes is too strong.
5. White streaks are left on black clothes. More on this: detergent residue on clothes.

Frequently asked questions

Does a smaller dose mean less clean clothes?

No, as long as the dose matches the soiling level. For lightly soiled everyday laundry, 40 ml is enough, or 30 ml in soft water. It is not worth using less, because the detergent may no longer wash out stains.

Do I need more detergent when washing at a low temperature?

No. Ecozyme enzyme laundry detergent is effective at 30–60 °C, so the same dose works for a 30 °C programme too.

Can I pour liquid detergent straight into the drum?

Yes, in a dosing ball or cup. Without one, the concentrate can leave a mark on the garment.

How much powder should I use?

Powder doses are usually larger, about 60–100 g for an average load. For a comparison, see washing powder or liquid detergent.

How do I know the dose is right?

Clothes smell lightly fresh, feel soft and have no residue. If foam or white streaks are left after washing, choose the smaller dose stated on the label next time.

Summary

The rule for correct dosing is simple: measure with the cap and dose according to soiling. Lightly soiled laundry needs 40 ml, moderately soiled 50 ml and heavily soiled 60 ml, with 10 ml less each time in soft water. Pour liquid detergent into drawer compartment II or put it in the drum in a dosing cup, never into the softener compartment. You will find all our laundry detergents on the collection page.