Are You Using Too Much Laundry Detergent & Or Other Products?

GROSSE WASCHMITTELAUSWAHL IN DISCOUNTER
Statistisch gesehen läuft die Waschmaschine in einem Vier-Personen-Haushalt fast jeden Tag. Und damit Kleidung, Bettwäsche, Handtücher und alles andere richtig sauber werden, wird alles Mögliche ausprobiert. Denn das Angebot an Waschmitteln in Drogerien, Supermärkten und Discountern ist riesig.
Die Waschmittelindustrie verdient gut daran. Zuletzt machte sie jährlich knapp 1,3 Milliarden Euro Umsatz – allein mit Color - und Vollwaschmitteln. In unseren Einkaufswagen landen davon pro Jahr rund 604 Millionen Kilogramm. Brauchen wir wirklich so viel?

DIE DOSIERUNGSFALLE
Zu viel ist schlecht für die Umwelt und fürs Portemonnaie. Viele richten sich deshalb nach der Dosierungsangabe auf der Verpackung – oder glauben es zumindest. So empfiehlt zum Beispiel Ariel für normal verschmutzte Wäsche 105 Milliliter vom Pulver.
Laut EU-Detergenzien-Verordnung können Waschmittel in Milliliter oder Gramm angegeben werden. Henkel, unter anderem Produzent von Persil, schreibt uns auf Nachfrage, man habe sich „für die Angabe in Millilitern entschieden", weil das Pulver mit einem Messbecher leicht zu dosieren sei. Und Procter & Gamble als Hersteller von Ariel betont: Verbraucher würden ohnehin „in aller Regel Dosierhilfen" nutzen.
Das Problem: In keiner der von uns gekauften Waschmittelpackungen war so ein Messbecher enthalten. In vielen Drogerie-Märkten sind die Dosierhilfen oft vergriffen oder werden gar nicht angeboten.

SPEZIALENTFERNER FÜR FLECKEN UND FARBIGE WÄSCHE
Je unterschiedlicher die Verschmutzungen und je verschiedener die Farben der Kleidung, die in die Wäsche muss, desto mehr Auswahl hat man im Waschmittelregal, könnte man meinen. Aber braucht man diese Menge an Spezialprodukten? Für Schwarzes vielleicht? Oder Oxybleiche für Weißes? Und was ist mit Renew-Effekt für strapazierte Textilien, Weichspüler oder Duftperlen? Unsere Expertin sagt: Nein, ein einfaches Colorwaschmittel hätte meistens einen ähnlichen Effekt.

MIKROPLASTIK IN DER WÄSCHE
Im Hamburger Klärwerk landet täglich das Abwasser von 1,8 Millionen Menschen, auch das aus den Waschmaschinen. Viele Waschmittel stellen hier ein Problem dar. Denn sie enthalten oft flüssiges Plastik und können nicht vollständig abgebaut werden. Die sogenannten Polymere geben ihnen oft erst die gelartige Konsistenz. Keine Kläranlage der Welt schafft es, diese Waschmittel restlos abzubauen, sagt der Experte. Je mehr wir davon verwenden, desto mehr Rückstände landen also in unseren Gewässern.

UNSER FAZIT AM ENDE
Mehr als ein Vollwaschpulver, ein Color - und vielleicht noch ein Wollwaschmittel brauchen wir nicht.

English translation:

"LARGE SELECTION OF DETERGENT IN DISCOUNTER
Statistically speaking, the washing machine runs almost every day in a four-person household. And to ensure that clothes, bed linen, towels and everything else are really clean, everything possible is tried out. The range of detergents available in drugstores, supermarkets and discounters is huge.
The detergent industry makes good money from it. Most recently, it made almost 1.3 billion euros in sales annually - with color and heavy-duty detergents alone. Around 604 million kilograms of this end up in our shopping carts every year. Do we really need that much?

THE DOSAGE TRAP
Too much is bad for the environment and your wallet. Many people therefore follow the dosage information on the packaging - or at least believe so. For example, Ariel recommends 105 milliliters of powder for normally soiled laundry.
According to the EU Detergents Regulation, detergents can be specified in milliliters or grams. When asked, Henkel, which produces Persil among other things, wrote to us that they had "decided on the indication in milliliters" because the powder was easy to dose with a measuring cup. And Procter & Gamble, as the manufacturer of Ariel, emphasized: Consumers would " usually use "dosing aids".
The problem: None of the detergent packs we bought contained such a measuring cup. In many drugstores, dosing aids are often out of stock or not offered at all.

SPECIAL REMOVER FOR STAINS AND COLORED LAUNDRY
You might think that the more different the dirt and the different colors of the clothes that have to be washed, the more choice you have in the detergent shelf. But do you need this amount of special products? For black, perhaps? Or oxybleach for whites? And what about the renewal effect for stressed textiles, fabric softeners or scented beads? Our expert says: No, a simple color detergent would usually have a similar effect.

MICROPLASTICS IN LAUNDRY
The wastewater from 1.8 million people ends up in the Hamburg sewage treatment plant every day, including that from washing machines. Many detergents pose a problem here because they often contain liquid plastic and cannot be completely broken down. The so-called polymers often give them their gel-like consistency. No sewage treatment plant in the world manages to completely break down these detergents, says the expert. The more we use it, the more residue ends up in our waters.

OUR CONCLUSION AT THE END
We don't need more than a laundry detergent, a color - and perhaps a wool detergent."


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Post# 1189641 9/8/2023 at 19:58 (455 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Interesting consumer testing from Germany (why don't we have things like this in USA?), which seems to be getting at two points. Dosage directions on detergent containers are far to liberal and or people are using way too much product. This and small arsenals of products people are buying (and or are on offer) simply aren't necessary. Love bit when reporter went to a hotel and tried to get their laundress interested in small army of products he hauled out in his bag. Each offer was waved away with "nein". Reporter asks what she uses and laundress points to simple basic set of detergent, fleckensalz and something else (my German isn't that great).

Post# 1189645 , Reply# 1 9/8/2023 at 20:11 (455 days old) by qsd-dan (West)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Shame there isn't English subtitles. Looks like an interesting clip.

Post# 1189649 , Reply# 2 9/8/2023 at 20:54 (455 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Some of it have figured out. Our members from Germany long have said those XXL boxes of powdered detergents were a con and this test proves that is true. Product is less concentrated (so one needs to use more) but also contents compact down during shipping so box is barely three quarters full. Thus one is not getting a full huge container of product. Remember those words on various packages of chips or whatever sold in USA? "This package is filled by weight not by volume...." Bit of same thing as Henkel, P&G and rest can't be told off for not having boxes full because weight of product matches what is stated on container.

Post# 1189650 , Reply# 3 9/8/2023 at 20:56 (455 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Oh and apparently Germans love fabric softener! LOL

Post# 1189661 , Reply# 4 9/9/2023 at 01:34 (455 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)
Checkrate/Likes 4 Yes in deed most of the big box powders did much worse in consumer tests than their concentrated counterparts which are usually sold in small plastic bags. Biggest downside of the super compacts in my opinion is their very high zeolite content, sometimes over 30% which might be difficult to rinse out and can build up in dryers. Not a word about it mentioned. Another thing is that journalism can never be 100% unbiased because we are all humans and everyone has their own believes and opinions. In this case reporter is clearly a supporter of the green party. Our consumer magazine seems to focus a lot on environmental stuff too. Means they tend to downgrade otherwise good products heavily if they`re not happy with their impact on the planet. No thanks, I can still decide for myself if I consider controversial products like Unstoppables as necessary for my well being not. No political driven journalism will change that.

Post# 1189662 , Reply# 5 9/9/2023 at 01:37 (455 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)
Checkrate/Likes 5 "Oh and apparently Germans love fabric softener" Remember we still do a lot of line drying (and ironing) in the old world.

Post# 1189679 , Reply# 6 9/9/2023 at 13:13 (454 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes 1 GROSSE WASCHMITTELAUSWAHL IN DISCOUNTER Statistisch gesehen läuft die Waschmaschine in einem Vier-Personen-Haushalt fast jeden Tag. Und damit Kleidung, Bettwäsche, Handtücher und alles andere richtig sauber werden, wird alles Mögliche ausprobiert. Denn das Angebot an Waschmitteln in Drogerien, Supermärkten und Discountern ist riesig. Die Waschmittelindustrie verdient gut daran. Zuletzt machte sie jährlich knapp 1,3 Milliarden Euro Umsatz – allein mit Color - und Vollwaschmitteln. In unseren Einkaufswagen landen davon pro Jahr rund 604 Millionen Kilogramm. Brauchen wir wirklich so viel? DIE DOSIERUNGSFALLE Zu viel ist schlecht für die Umwelt und fürs Portemonnaie. Viele richten sich deshalb nach der Dosierungsangabe auf der Verpackung – oder glauben es zumindest. So empfiehlt zum Beispiel Ariel für normal verschmutzte Wäsche 105 Milliliter vom Pulver. Laut EU-Detergenzien-Verordnung können Waschmittel in Milliliter oder Gramm angegeben werden. Henkel, unter anderem Produzent von Persil, schreibt uns auf Nachfrage, man habe sich „für die Angabe in Millilitern entschieden", weil das Pulver mit einem Messbecher leicht zu dosieren sei. Und Procter & Gamble als Hersteller von Ariel betont: Verbraucher würden ohnehin „in aller Regel Dosierhilfen" nutzen. Das Problem: In keiner der von uns gekauften Waschmittelpackungen war so ein Messbecher enthalten. In vielen Drogerie-Märkten sind die Dosierhilfen oft vergriffen oder werden gar nicht angeboten. SPEZIALENTFERNER FÜR FLECKEN UND FARBIGE WÄSCHE Je unterschiedlicher die Verschmutzungen und je verschiedener die Farben der Kleidung, die in die Wäsche muss, desto mehr Auswahl hat man im Waschmittelregal, könnte man meinen. Aber braucht man diese Menge an Spezialprodukten? Für Schwarzes vielleicht? Oder Oxybleiche für Weißes? Und was ist mit Renew-Effekt für strapazierte Textilien, Weichspüler oder Duftperlen? Unsere Expertin sagt: Nein, ein einfaches Colorwaschmittel hätte meistens einen ähnlichen Effekt. MIKROPLASTIK IN DER WÄSCHE Im Hamburger Klärwerk landet täglich das Abwasser von 1,8 Millionen Menschen, auch das aus den Waschmaschinen. Viele Waschmittel stellen hier ein Problem dar. Denn sie enthalten oft flüssiges Plastik und können nicht vollständig abgebaut werden. Die sogenannten Polymere geben ihnen oft erst die gelartige Konsistenz. Keine Kläranlage der Welt schafft es, diese Waschmittel restlos abzubauen, sagt der Experte. Je mehr wir davon verwenden, desto mehr Rückstände landen also in unseren Gewässern. UNSER FAZIT AM ENDE Mehr als ein Vollwaschpulver, ein Color - und vielleicht noch ein Wollwaschmittel brauchen wir nicht. English translation: "LARGE SELECTION OF DETERGENT IN DISCOUNTER Statistically speaking, the washing machine runs almost every day in a four-person household. And to ensure that clothes, bed linen, towels and everything else are really clean, everything possible is tried out. The range of detergents available in drugstores, supermarkets and discounters is huge. The detergent industry makes good money from it. Most recently, it made almost 1.3 billion euros in sales annually - with color and heavy-duty detergents alone. Around 604 million kilograms of this end up in our shopping carts every year. Do we really need that much? THE DOSAGE TRAP Too much is bad for the environment and your wallet. Many people therefore follow the dosage information on the packaging - or at least believe so. For example, Ariel recommends 105 milliliters of powder for normally soiled laundry. According to the EU Detergents Regulation, detergents can be specified in milliliters or grams. When asked, Henkel, which produces Persil among other things, wrote to us that they had "decided on the indication in milliliters" because the powder was easy to dose with a measuring cup. And Procter & Gamble, as the manufacturer of Ariel, emphasized: Consumers would " usually use "dosing aids". The problem: None of the detergent packs we bought contained such a measuring cup. In many drugstores, dosing aids are often out of stock or not offered at all. SPECIAL REMOVER FOR STAINS AND COLORED LAUNDRY You might think that the more different the dirt and the different colors of the clothes that have to be washed, the more choice you have in the detergent shelf. But do you need this amount of special products? For black, perhaps? Or oxybleach for whites? And what about the renewal effect for stressed textiles, fabric softeners or scented beads? Our expert says: No, a simple color detergent would usually have a similar effect. MICROPLASTICS IN LAUNDRY The wastewater from 1.8 million people ends up in the Hamburg sewage treatment plant every day, including that from washing machines. Many detergents pose a problem here because they often contain liquid plastic and cannot be completely broken down. The so-called polymers often give them their gel-like consistency. No sewage treatment plant in the world manages to completely break down these detergents, says the expert. The more we use it, the more residue ends up in our waters. OUR CONCLUSION AT THE END We don't need more than a laundry detergent, a color - and perhaps a wool detergent."

Post# 1189683 , Reply# 7 9/9/2023 at 13:58 (454 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes Thank you, Launderess!

Post# 1189684 , Reply# 8 9/9/2023 at 14:05 (454 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Are you using to much laundry detergent?* Too much laundry detergent is definitely bad for your wallet and bad for the environment, but the reality is most people use far too little detergent, if your machine ever develops any type of buildup near the top of the tub on the agitator or develops, any type of a off smell You were probably using too little detergent. Generally the package instructions are pretty close to accurate. Using too much detergent does not harm the machine whatsoever or your clothing. There have been many many pictures of machines that people are restoring on this site when they take the tubs out and you see the slimy gunky mineral mess you can tell people have not used enough detergent. This is one of the big problems with top load washers that use a lot of water. You literally need to use a lot of detergent, unless you have totally soft water or water softener system in your home. John

Post# 1190211 , Reply# 11 9/18/2023 at 11:16 (445 days old) by RyneR1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes 4 I just follow the instructions on the bottle/box and this method has not let me down yet. Right now I'm using Tide with Oxi and it says to go up to line 3 for large loads so that's what I do. My rinses seem suds free and my clothes don't itch, so must be doing something right. If I had a front loader I'd probably cut that down by quite a bit, but for now it works. Ryne

Post# 1190223 , Reply# 15 9/18/2023 at 13:45 (445 days old) by Logixx (Germany)
Checkrate/Likes *Germans love fabric softener* What else is there? 😁 For the most part, detergents in Germany are that: detergents. Want fragrance? Add softener. Of course we do have scented detergents, but it's no where near the plethora of stuff P&G in the US are pumping out. A quick browse on Ariel's and Persil's German site showed Ariel to have Febreeze scent (or regular) and Persil doesn't even come in any particular scent. Now, let's look at Tide..

Post# 1190236 , Reply# 17 9/18/2023 at 18:10 (445 days old) by Adam-aussie-vac (Canberra ACT)
Checkrate/Likes *Reply, 14* Where I’m from in Australia, it depends on the L cheapo boxes, there are Where I’m from in Australia, it depends on the L cheapo boxes, there are different dosages for different machines, hell, even the Coles cheap brand has instructions for using it on Wringer Washers and twin tubs while on something like Costco, the soil and load dictates how much detergent to use

Post# 1190259 , Reply# 19 9/19/2023 at 04:42 (445 days old) by richnz (New Zealand)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *I love Youtube and the German programs* Another German channel with subtitles. I have a fanboy crush on Yvonne xx

Post# 1189686 , Reply# 9 9/9/2023 at 14:15 (454 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Keep in mind laundry products from Europe are developed and tested for those local markets specifically. Just as P&G has always tested Tide and other detergents to suit various water conditions around USA, Henkel (Persil), P&G (Ariel) and rest do same. Areas of Europe have much harder water than found in many parts of USA. Thus using full recommended dosage of say Henkel's Persil with our very soft local water has always caused issues with froth and rinsing.

Post# 1190200 , Reply# 10 9/18/2023 at 06:28 (445 days old) by anthony (uk)
Checkrate/Likes *i have* always decided how much detergent to use and have never read the instructions on any packet .My mum taught me laundry is common sense .you don't need any of this rubbish to clean laundry .In the last 50 years I have always used powder in my machine because I like it and I buy the cheapest kind I can find preferably one with the least perfume added [cant stand smelly washing I prefer the smell of fresh line dried laundry .I have never used softener or any of the other money gobbling products because they are literally money down the drain and they make your washer stink .We are constantly bombarded with adverts for laundry products that promise you the world when in reality all you really get is an empty wallet

Post# 1190212 , Reply# 12 9/18/2023 at 11:19 (445 days old) by RyneR1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes 3 I'll add that the water here in Indy is very hard so I'm hesitant to experiment with going too light with detergent. If I had an in-home water softening system that would probably make a difference, but I don't know of any apartments that offer that as a feature. Ryne

Post# 1190214 , Reply# 13 9/18/2023 at 11:33 (445 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes 3 *Amount of laundry detergent to use* Hi Ryne , yes, in life it’s usually best to follow the instructions with some slight adjustments for water, hardness how dirty the clothes are cooler temperatures require more detergent, etc. It’s also good to do a little research and make sure you’re using a very high-quality product if you expect top results. But overall the amounts recommended on detergent packages are very realistic. John.

Post# 1190221 , Reply# 14 9/18/2023 at 13:21 (445 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey)
Checkrate/Likes *just follow the instructions on the bottle/box* But do the instructions indicate different dosages for top and front loaders?

Post# 1190226 , Reply# 16 9/18/2023 at 14:03 (445 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes I tried Persil Pro and really liked it, but even at minimal amount it was foam disaster with the Duet. I can only imagine what it would be as a disaster with LG TurboWash.

Post# 1190241 , Reply# 18 9/18/2023 at 21:09 (445 days old) by RyneR1988 (Indianapolis)
Checkrate/Likes *Reply #14* Come to think of it, I don't think the instructions specify one way or the other. I always figured they were for TL's because I think one is supposed to use much less in an FL. I've never owned one so I'm not really sure on that but it's what I've heard most folks say regarding that issue. Ryne

Post# 1190262 , Reply# 20 9/19/2023 at 08:50 (444 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes Mentioned that German test from YT in thread on "bleaching darks". No subtitles in English for our end, but did put up a translation of a sort. www.automaticwasher.org/c... One of the "tips" is old method of mixing a bit of powdered detergent with water to make a paste, apply to stain with a small brush or something, rub in, wait a bit then wash as normal. Packets of American laundry detergents offered that advice going back at least to 1970's. It was also in all sorts of consumer/housekeeping advice or manuals.

Post# 1190264 , Reply# 21 9/19/2023 at 09:17 (444 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Translation* Go into the settings of the video and you can select the language you want.

Post# 1190383 , Reply# 22 9/21/2023 at 07:14 (442 days old) by reactor (Oak Ridge, Tennessee-- )
Checkrate/Likes *water softener* Ryne, Check with your apartment manager/owner to see if they allow water softeners. Many do. I have lived in three apartment complexes and all three had no problems with a softener being added..at the renter's expense, of course. It is actually to the manager/owner's advantage to have a softener installed as it means less water hardness build up on their fixtures, and they have a cleaner unit to offer the next renter when you leave. When I had my first apartment in the latter seventies, we had companies that rented softeners back then, I think mine was called, "Miracle Water," and they did not charge for installation if you signed a rental contract. In my other two apartments, I just purchased a unit from Sears and kept it for both apartments. The first time I had Sears install it, the second time I sweated the joints and installed it myself. Neither time was I given a problem about taking the softener when I left. (They could have technically, have as many rental agreements state attached fixtures become the property of the apartment owner.). Having the plumbing changed was an advantage to the apartment owner, as it was a selling point for future renters, saying they could put in a softener with no installation fees. Evidently, you have groundwater sourced water supplies in your area of Indiana. Your aquifers are likely limestone, and/or gravel, as we have in Ohio. Limestone and glacial gravel aquifers are notorious for leaching calcium carbonate into the water. Our hardness levels in my area of Ohio were about 23 to 26 grains per gallon+. This is enough to negatively interact with detergents and create soap scum/curds on your fixtures (and you). Check with your landlord, I bet they will have no problem at all with your installing a softener, and even taking it with you when you leave. It is a win/win situation for you both. This post was last edited 09/21/2023 at 08:04

Post# 1190454 , Reply# 23 9/22/2023 at 12:34 (441 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Wausau Chemical detergents* Don (Jetaction) and I are both users of the detergents from Wausau Chemical. The instructions on the box state that only ¼ cup is needed for a 12lb. load. And it still contains STPP. I prefer the lemon, but this last time they only had the blue version on hand. It was just a bit over $124.00 for a 50lb. box

Post# 1214027 , Reply# 24 9/6/2024 at 23:03 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)
Checkrate/Likes *using too much detergent* No! I'm not! In fact, I'm using the recommended amount set forth by the package directions based on load size and soil level.

Post# 1214032 , Reply# 25 9/7/2024 at 00:23 by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)
Checkrate/Likes 8 *@GELaundry4Ever* I am known for the gentleness of my disposition, and the extraordinary sweetness of my nature, but I warn you, GELaundry4ever, you may go too far. Am adding one's voice to chorus of others on this matter, this dredging up of ancient posts must cease. More so since you have nothing illuminating to say.

Post# 1214034 , Reply# 26 9/7/2024 at 02:43 by volvoman (West Windsor, NJ)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *@ Launderess* ...I'm guessing we don't have a moderator to reel him in?

Post# 1214037 , Reply# 27 9/7/2024 at 05:45 by Adam-aussie-vac (Canberra ACT)
Checkrate/Likes Speaking of adding my voice to the chorus, the only time where I truly don’t know When I’m using too much detergent is because the packet says “one scoop handwashing, two scoops machine washing” But they don’t give the actual definition of a scoop so I’m stumped