Large washing machine dilemma - false economy or not ?

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A while ago I bought a 9kg/6kg LG washer drier. I have no problem with the machine, it is great and just about all I could ask for (should be at north of £500) but the issue of detergent is troubling me.

A couple of years ago I converted to the liquid tabs we all see in the shops. I did this largely because I always felt I was over dosing "just in case". However, whilst these say that in areas of hard water you should perhaps consider doubling the dose, they do not mention machine capacity.

If we took an average size, then I guess that would come in at about 6/7kg for washing. At 9kg, I'm at 29% to 50% above that yet the only thing I can do is to stick with a single pouch or double it. I could run the machine on 6kg load with one pouch and not fret but that would be a little bit stupid I think.

So when I use a full load I feel as though 1 pouch is perhaps not always enough but adding a second seems overkill and wasteful. Using say 6kg when the machine can do 9kg also seems wasteful from a number of angles.

Anyone else have this dilemma with a large machine ?

getmore4less

Stop using pouches use something cheaper.

Forget the recomended doses

Does stuff come out clean?

Yes, Reduce your dose.
NO, increase your dose.

iterate.

sunshinetours

Use powder as (generally) cheaper so if you do over-dose then not so much waste

if you are in hard water are make sure you do plenty of maintenance washes with a bio powder as well

MX5huggy

Just use powder, liquid, liquid tabs all a gimmick and more expensive.

See http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/washing_machine_detergent.html#cl_q2

olias

If that's all you have to fret about then you're a lucky person!

as stated:

'Does stuff come out clean?

Yes, Reduce your dose.
NO, increase your dose.'

Olias

delain

I wash for 6 in an average sized 6kg 1200 spin washing machine, and I don't feel one liquid tab is enough for a load on OH's work clothes say, but is ok for baby clothes, because the baby doesn't get covered in engine oil and grease

I don't buy the liquid tabs as they are hugely expensive. (I have used them once, OH cme home with them!) I like the fairy non bio gel or the ariel one, as they are always on offer (at asda usually) they work out at good value, you don't need to use too much and you don't get the snotty skin of the liquitab stuck to the back of your jeans. The persil 'small and mighty' is really great value for money and gets things clean but it disagrees with twin1's skin.

The liquid tabs are fine for single people or whatever but to do all my washing with them it'd cost a bomb, I'd switch.

olias

Oh, and I also only ever buy whatever is on offer at the supermarket at the time I am buying (I'm not brand loyal and don't mind if its liquid, tabs etc). After all, why pay full price when the product next to it is half priceand will do basically exactly the same job?

Olias