Because doing the laundry is an everyday task for most, many of us feel like we already know how to use washing detergent: simply chuck a cap full of detergent in the drum and hit start, right? Well, not quite. The truth is the appropriate amount of detergent depends on several factors, which can affect the outcome of your wash. Therefore, you need to know how to use laundry detergent and dose it properly in order to achieve long-lasting freshness for your clothes. Read on to find out how.
Learning how to measure your laundry detergent properly is a crucial step to achieving great results, perhaps even the most important. You’re probably aware that your clothes won’t be cleaned effectively if you don’t use enough detergent, but unfortunately it’s not simply a case of “the more, the better” either! Using too much laundry detergent won’t make your clothes cleaner; it may actually result in dingy-looking clothes and cause your washing machine to clog up with excess detergent. Besides, avoiding overdosing your detergent will save you money in the long run!
The correct laundry detergent dosage depends on the following factors:
- The detergent formula being used: Different formulations of detergent, such as Original or Advanced Clean, often require different dosages.
- The type of detergent (liquid, Ultra Pacs™, etc.): The measurement for liquid detergent is measured in fluid ounces, while the measurement for capsules is the number of capsules to use.
- The size of your load: In general, the more laundry you are washing at once, the more detergent you will need.
- How dirty your clothes are: The more soiled the laundry, the higher the laundry detergent dosage.
- Water hardness: You may need to use more detergent if you live in an area with hard water.
- The wash cycle you select: If you have especially tough stains, you may need to pre-treat them with a little detergent and then soak them in a prewash.
Consult the packaging of your Persil® product for more precise instructions on how to measure laundry detergent.
The dosing amounts on our packaging are based on a typical load of 6lbs. If you have a machine with a larger drum you will also find specific dosing amounts for larger loads on every Persil product.
How to use laundry detergent is also dependent on the type of washing machine you have. With regular top-loading machines, it’s best not to add detergent on top of your laundry. Otherwise the detergent may not dissolve properly and leave unpleasant residue on your clothes. Instead, first add a little water followed by the detergent and then your laundry. The process for front-loading machines is more straightforward: simply pour your liquid detergent into the compartment of the dispenser drawer. Consult your machine’s manual to find out which compartment is correct.
Note: All Persil® detergents are also suitable for use in high-efficiency washers.
If you have children, proper use of laundry detergent should always include safety! Curious children may be drawn to colorful laundry detergents, particularly the Ultra Pacs™. Therefore, ensure you store your laundry detergent well out of reach, such as on a high shelf in a cupboard.
Original scent detergent is a classic – it’s a great everyday detergent with an amazing stain-fighting ability. Packed with Deep Clean technology, Original scent is likely to be your first choice as a liquid laundry detergent because it’s tough on stains, odors, and is suitable for many different kinds of fabrics.
What’s more, it's also available in the powerful and convenient form of Original scent Ultra Pacs™, which come with pre-measured detergent that you can simply throw into your washing machine without any measuring needed. Like all our detergents, Original scent can be used in all water temperatures and all types of washing machines, such as top-loading, front-loading, and high-efficiency washers.
There often comes a time while doing laundry when you’ll need to call in reinforcements for some extra stain-fighting power! Persil® Advanced Clean Oxi+Odor Power is our best product if you want to get to the heart of stubborn stains, as it’s formulated with Deep Clean formula and is tough on heavily soiled items, kitchen towels, and almost every sort of stain that manage to end up on your kids’ clothing! For a quick and efficient wash, you can also turn to Ultra Pacs™ for your laundry.
If you have family members with sensitive skin, especially younger ones, then you’ll want a hypoallergenic liquid detergent that’s 100% dye-free and gentle on skin. Persil® Free & Sensitive Laundry Detergent caters to all those needs and is dermatologist-tested to ensure that you can wash laundry without concern.
Whether it was a particularly hot day or an intense training session at the gym, some clothing items arrive in the laundry basket with odors that are much stronger than usual! When those moments happen, it’s best to switch to something like Persil® Advanced Clean Oxi+Odor Power, which really goes deep down into the fabric to deliver an outstanding finish that leaves your laundry smelling fresher and looking cleaner.
Every now and then, your laundry will require that little boost of brightness that is hard to find elsewhere. There are many different types of laundry detergent out there, but Intense Fresh® Scented Laundry Detergent® brightens, whitens and freshens your clothes with an extra deep clean and vibrant, fresh scent.