Determining the correct dose of detergent – table & recommendations
Are you sometimes unsure how much detergent you should really use? It can indeed be a little confusing given all the different factors to consider, such as water hardness and how dirty the laundry is. We have provided a table explaining how to determine the correct dose of detergent and give recommendations on which detergent to use with which textiles and at which washing temperature.
Observe the information on safety and preventing material damage .
The manufacturer's instructions for use and dosage can be found on the packaging.
When using liquid detergents, only use liquid detergents that are self-flowing
Do not mix different liquid detergents
Do not mix detergent and fabric softener
Do not use products that have expired or are highly congealed
Do not use products containing solvents, caustic agents or volatile substances
Do not use chlorine bleach
Do not use dyes regularly as fixing salt can damage stainless steel
Do not use color-bleaching agents in the appliance
Detergent recommendation
This information helps you to choose the right detergent for your fabrics.
| Fabrics | Programme | Temperature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard detergent with optical brighteners | Heat-resistant white fabrics made from cotton or linen | From cold up to 90 °C | |
| Detergent for colours without bleach or optical brighteners | Coloured fabrics made from linen or cotton | From cold up to 60 °C | |
| Detergent for colours/delicates without optical brighteners | Coloured fabrics made from easy-care fabrics or synthetic materials | From cold up to 60 °C | |
| Delicates | Delicate fine textiles, silk or viscose | From cold up to 40 °C | |
| Detergent for woollens | Wool | From cold up to 40 °C |
Visit www.cleanright.eu to find further information on detergents, care products and cleaning agents for domestic use.
Detergent dosage
To save resources and to prevent limescale build-up, pay attention to the detergent manufacturer's dosage recommendations.
The detergent dosage depends on:
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The amount of laundry
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Degree of soiling
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Water hardness
You can find out how hard your water is from your local water company or measure it yourself using a water hardness tester.
| Hardness range | Total hardness in mmol/l | German degrees in °dH |
|---|---|---|
| soft (I) | 0 - 1.5 | 0 - 8.4 |
| medium (II) | 1.5 - 2.5 | 8.4 - 14 |
| hard (III) | over 2.5 | over 14 |
These example values refer to a standard load of 4–5 kg.
| Soiling | Light | Normal | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water hardness: Soft/medium | 40 ml | 55 ml | 80 ml |
| Water hardness: Hard/very hard | 55 ml | 80 ml | 105 ml |
The dosages can be found on the manufacturer's packaging.
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Adjust the dosage to the actual load.
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