Detergent dosage for hard water

[BambooGarden]

I’ve recently moved and bought a new washing machine and decided to do research into the methods required to maintain the washing machine. One of the advices that keeps being mentioned is carrying out a maintenance wash and making sure that you use the correct detergent dosage.

I’ve read that you should reduce the amount of detergent used as long as clothes comes out clean. I live in a hard water area and the recommended dosage given by Ariel Actilift powder for a 7kg machine with heavily soiled clothes would be 215ml.

I’m concerned that by reducing the recommended amount that:
1. The clothes won’t be clean. My husband works as a chef so his clothes get smelly and dirty and I also have to use greasy emollient for my dry skin. I want to make sure that I use enough detergent to remove them properly.

2. As I live in an area with hard water, I want to make sure I’m using enough to prevent the build of limescale. I’ve also read that you need to use more detergent in hard water areas otherwise the powder won’t clean the clothes as efficiently.

How do I know if I’m using the right amount if the recommended amount is overstated by the detergent companies in order for us to purchase more?

Also, when I carry out a maintenance wash at 90 do I use a full dose of washing powder or can I use a reduced amount?

Thank you to anyone who replies 😀

[kwatt]

Re: Detergent dosage for hard water

It is largely trial and error I’m afraid because it will depend on the level of soiling, the water hardness and the machine used so there isn’t a “one size fits all” set of instructions.

What you describe though would strike me as being classed as heavily soiled.

On the maintenance wash though I always advise just the normal dose you’d use for a hot wash is sufficient.

K.

[BambooGarden]

Re: Detergent dosage for hard water

What signs should I look out for or what checks can be done in order to figure out if I’m overdosing the detergent?

I don’t want to to start trying different doses if I don’t even know what to look out for.

Thanks

[kwatt]

Re: Detergent dosage for hard water

Most of what you need should be found here:

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/clea … gents.html

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/clea … owder.html

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/clea … -wash.html

K.

[Author]

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