Liquid vs. Powder Detergent: Which Is Best For You?
Is liquid detergent better than powder? Learn about these different types of detergent and which may be the best option for your clothes and your budget.
Laundry is simpler and easier than ever, thanks to modern washers and detergents, but knowing how much laundry detergent to use is important to care for your clothes and your appliance. To avoid common laundry problems and get optimal results, your washer and your laundry detergent need to work together.
Laundry detergent is sold in several formats, such as liquid, gel packs and powder, and there are different kinds of washers, too: high-efficiency (HE), non-HE, front load and top load. Using too much laundry detergent (or the wrong type) can result in a laundry list of issues, including residue left on clothing, faded colors and even attracting more dirt. Using more detergent than necessary can encourage odor and residue buildup in your washing machine.
You can help avoid these troubles by using the right amount of the right detergent for every load of laundry. Swash® Laundry Detergent makes this easy with an ultra-concentrated formula and Auto-Stop Top. Read on for tips and suggestions for perfecting your laundry routine.
If you notice any of these signs from your washer or clean clothes, you may be using too much laundry detergent:
These signs may indicate that your washer is struggling to rinse away an overuse of detergent, which can leave behind residue in your washer or on your clothes. Using too much laundry detergent also means you'll have to buy more sooner, costing you more per load.
Of course, you also might be using too little laundry detergent, especially if you have a newer, bigger washer and do larger loads. Don’t worry, though, you can master the art of using the right amount of detergent by paying attention to detergent labels, load size and measurement, or by choosing a laundry detergent product that doses the right amount of detergent for your load.
High-efficiency, or HE, washers use significantly less water than non-HE machines, so they require a different concentration of detergent and a smaller dose. If you're unsure whether or not your washer is a high-efficiency model, look for the HE logo on the front of the machine. If the HE logo is present, always use laundry detergent that also has the same logo on the label.
Too much detergent, or a non-HE detergent, in your HE washer could create over-sudsing, excessive rinse cycles or possibly even a bubbly laundry room mess. Make sure you read the detergent bottle and use the proper formula for your machine.
Swash® Laundry Detergent is designed to work in both high-efficiency (HE) and non-HE washing machines. With an 8x concentrated formula, you'll use about a quarter of the amount of detergent you’d need with a traditional 2x concentration detergent. It may look like a small amount, but you’ll be amazed at how effective it is!
Eyeballing may work for how much sugar to add to your coffee, but it’s not a good choice for laundry detergent. Traditionally, the best way to determine the correct amount of liquid laundry detergent in any washer has been to use a measuring cup marked with lines that indicate the appropriate amount based on load size and soil level. If you're using one of these detergents, be sure to follow the directions on the bottle to get the best results.
Swash® Laundry Detergent makes measuring the right amount even easier. Now there’s no need for a measuring cup or trying to pour the correct amount of liquid into a bottle cap. The Auto-Stop Top dispenses the right amount of liquid laundry detergent with every squeeze. To use, simply turn the bottle upside down and squeeze firmly with two hands until the detergent stops.
When considering how much laundry detergent to use, also think about:
Regular Load: 1 squeeze
Squeeze the Swash® bottle once
Large Load: 2 squeezes
Squeeze the Swash® bottle twice
Since the right amount of laundry detergent makes such a difference for your clothes and your washing machine, it’s no wonder that people love the precision and convenience of pre-measured laundry detergent packs. When you're struggling with how much laundry detergent to use, these packs can make it easier.
A laundry detergent pack contains an individual dose of laundry detergent in a dissolvable packet. Detergent packs eliminate the need for measuring so you get the precise amount of detergent for your load, but they tend to be more expensive than liquid or powder. You also may need to use more than one pack per load if your clothes are especially dirty, you are doing an extra-large load or you have hard water.
Some people prefer a powder laundry detergent for economical everyday use. The same principles apply for precise measuring when you use a laundry detergent powder.
Most detergents come with a measuring scoop in the container, with marks indicating how much detergent to use. Refer to the directions on your detergent powder and remember to adjust for the size of your load, the hardness of your water and the soil level of the clothes.
Do not mix powder and liquid detergents in the same dispenser at the same time as this may clog the dispenser.
The best place to learn about how much laundry detergent to use is the manual that comes with your washing machine. If you can't find it, go to the manufacturer’s website and find the instructions online. Since where and how you insert detergent varies depending on the type of washer you use, it’s best to be informed.
New washers may also have a bulk detergent dispenser, allowing you to add a bottle of liquid laundry detergent at once and let your washing machine dispense the correct amount at the proper time in the wash cycle. You'll need to set the detergent concentration level on your washer to ensure it dispenses the right dose.
Always consult your appliance use & care guide to ensure the concentration setting is correct for Swash® Laundry Detergent or whichever brand you are using. Concentration levels of laundry detergent may be from 1x to up to 8x, so pay attention! Then, simply empty the bottle's contents into the bulk dispenser of your washer.
Swash® Laundry Detergent is 8x concentrated for a powerful clean using only a quarter of the amount of 2x concentrated liquids. One bottle of Swash® Laundry Detergent contains enough detergent for 80 regular loads of laundry.
Using the right amount of the right detergent can save you time and effort, plus help clean and protect your belongings.
Remember, even when you use the right amount of laundry detergent, HE washing machines need regular maintenance cleaning to work their best. Use the “Clean Washer” cycle and affresh® washing machine cleaner tablets monthly to help remove odor-causing residues and grime daily loads can leave behind.*
Swash® Laundry Detergent is specially formulated to boost your washing machine’s ability to fight stains. The ultra-concentrated formula is engineered to work with all washing machines.
Since Swash® Laundry Detergent is 8x concentrated, you'll use less of it than traditional laundry detergents. In fact, one dose of Swash® Laundry Detergent contains four times the cleaning power of a traditional detergent. The Auto-Stop Top ensures that you use the correct amount of detergent you need to clean and protect your belongings - no more and no less.
Swash® Laundry Detergent does not contain any ingredients that are harmful to a septic system and is available in the classic Smells Like Clean Laundry scent as well as a Smells Like Nothing and Smells Like Vacation scents.
Smells Like Clean Laundry
Smells Like Nothing
Smells Like Vacation
*affresh® brand products and the recommending brands' products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.