How Much Laundry Detergent to Use

Ever seen white residues on your clothes after washing and thought... “I’ve used too much detergent in that load!” Well, not necessarily! Despite the evidence, chances are that you’ve actually put too many clothes in the load rather than too much detergent.

A hand pouring liquid laundry detergent into the dispenser

How Much Should I Use?

Doing the laundry is a little more sophisticated than eyeballing how much detergent you need and turning the machine on. Using too little or too much detergent often leads to poor laundry results. Whether it’s the washer you’re using or the size of the load, not all laundry is created equal, so it’s important to get the right dosing for your wash.

For example, take a high efficiency (HE) washing machines. Since they use less water, putting in too much laundry can soak up all the water so there isn’t enough to completely dissolve the detergent.

Tip: It is important to dose correctly, since under- or overdosing can result in poor cleaning and stain removal.

How dirty the clothes are The more heavily soiled your clothes are, the more detergent you will need to use in a load. This helps to remove dirt and prevent it from going back onto your clothes.
Size of the load Detergent dosage directions are based on the drum size of a conventional washing machine, but machines are always getting bigger so if you have a new washing machines, it may have a bigger drum. Larger wash loads bring in more dirt, so to get great results on every wash you need more detergent.
Water hardness Water hardness varies throughout the country. To get the best results, people in hard water areas need to use more detergent.

What dosage should I use?

Pacs

To make life easier, try the pre-dosed laundry pacs, like Tide PODS® for extra convenience.

First, insert the required number of pacs based on your load size, then fill your washer with your laundry and turn the machine on.

The more heavily soiled your clothes are, the more detergent you will need to use in a load. This helps to remove dirt and prevent it from going back onto your clothes.

Keep out of children

3 pictograms to show you need to use 1 pac for medium loads, 2 pacs for large or X-large loads, and 3 pacs for XX-large loads

Liquid

If you’re focused on effective stain removal then opt for a liquid detergent, like Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid. Liquid detergents are great for food, grease or oil stains, and are especially good for spot treating. You can easily use the cap to measure the dosage.

Once you are done, simply add clothes, and pour detergent into dispenser, start washer.

How to dose Tide liquid laundry detergent - for medium loads, fill to bar 2, for large loads, fill to bar 3, for high efficiency full loads, fill to bar 5

Liquid Measurement Instructions for Tide Plus collection

Powder

For those everyday stains and smells, powder is a great option. Make sure you get the dosage right when you use a powder detergent, like Tide Powder.

Once you are done, start washer, add detergent, then add clothes.

A pictogram for dosing powder detergent - for medium loads, fill to bar 1, for large loads, fill to bar 3, for high efficiency loads, fill to bar 5

Powder Measurement Instructions for Tide Plus collection

Powder measurement instructions for the Tide Plus collection - for medium loads, fill to bar 2, for large loads, fill to bar 4, for high efficiency loads, fill to bar 5

Usage Instructions

Read and follow care label instructions, then sort. Always test an inside seam for colorfastness.

Always check the dosing instructions of the detergent you're using.

Want to Know More?

Watch our video on how to use Tide PODS® for the best results!

Make sure you get the best out of your liquid detergent. Watch our video on how to use Tide’s liquid detergents.

Help your powder detergent work for you. Watch our video on how to use Tide’s powder detergents.