What is the best way to determine how much detergent to use to clean my clothes in any average washing machine.
Some of the suggested guidelines I've come across are:
The published (detergent manufacturer's suggested) method is to measure for a normal load to the slightly raised line molded into the cap for the detergent container (by volume). For a heavy (dirty) load, fill to the second mark molded into the cap.
The published (washer manufacturer's suggested) method is to load the washer tub loosely to a mark on the agitator after you have added the detergent (determined by the above) to the empty washer tup before loading.
Fine.
Often, people have gotten on the bus or into a subway car and the strong odour of their clothing fills the car within seconds of their arrival. They reek of the detergent. Evidently, the existing odour from an excessive amount of the detergent is associated with 'clean' as opposed to chemically 'contaminated.' The brand, notwithstanding. Just sayin'
When I wash my clothes, I need enough detergent/soap to get the dirt out of my clothes; but, without using an excess which is wasteful and environmentally destructive.
How can I determine the correct/optimal amount of detergent to use in any situation given that the optimal amount is affected by:
- The wash load weight
- The load volume
- The kind of fabric
- The amount and kind of 'dirt' in the fabric
- The water hardness/softness
- The water temperature
- The concentration of the detergent
- The washing machine itself?
After the dirty-work is done, I want the wash water to take the suspended material away in the rinse which under expected conditions should be part of normal operation for the make and model.
Summary: Long story short: I want to determine the minimum effective detergent concentration during the wash cycle, in real time, not after the fact.
Hint: If one added excessive detergent, say, what would indicate such an oversight before the wash cycle is complete?
If one forgot to add detergent, what would indicate such an oversight before the wash cycle is complete?
— Somewhere between those two extremes is the answer. It should not matter if sweatpants used in mud wrestling is in one load and an equivalent weight of grand-mother's crochet table runners is in the next.
Is there a lifehack?
Thank you.