[OKC] From NY Times: Go Easy on the Detergent

[Miles, Karen]

For the Dishwasher's Sake, Go Easy on the Detergent


By ALINA TUGEND

I'VE been writing on some weighty topics lately - too little money, too
many choices, too few jobs. It's time, I decided, to move on to some
questions that haunt me almost every day. 
How much soap should I put in my washing machine and dishwasher? 
Do I need to do more for my dryer than clean that little pull-out lint
catcher? 
Should I rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher? 
Most of us learned how to use a washing machine or dishwasher in our
parents' house many years ago and haven't really changed our methods,
even though most appliances have evolved radically since then. We
rarely, if ever, read the manuals when we buy a new one or glance
through the instructions on the box of detergent or bottle of
dishwashing liquid. 
But because we're probably using these appliances incorrectly, our
dishes and clothes may not be coming out as clean as they could be. And
we may also be damaging the machines. 
Let me start with soap. The No. 1 sin, according to repair people and
appliance experts, seems to be adding too much soap to washing machines
or dishwashers. 
"Nobody thinks they use too much soap," said Vernon Schmidt, who has
been a repairman for almost 35 years and is the author of a
self-published book, "Appliance Handbook for Women: Simple Enough Even a
Man Can Understand." But apparently most of us are in denial. 
Washing machines and dishwashers are made to use far less water now than
older models and, therefore, need less soap. And detergents have also
become increasingly concentrated. So a little goes a long way. 
"Most people use 10 to 15 times the amount of soap they need, and
they're pouring money down the drain," Mr. Schmidt said. 
Following the instructions on the soap container is a good first step.
Christina Saunders, a spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble
<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/procter_and_gambl
e/index.html?inline=nyt-org> , which makes Tide, Cheer, Gain and other
laundry detergents, said researchers at the company did thousands of
loads of laundry to determine the right amount of soap needed. 
She said the caps were changed on liquid detergent containers a few
years ago to make the lines specifying amount of soap needed for
different size loads easier to see. 
Mr. Schmidt, however, argues that depending on how hard or soft your
water is, one-eighth to one-half of what is usually recommended should
be adequate. 
Too much detergent can make your clothes stiff and shorten the life of
your machine. An excess of soap can also cause a buildup of mold and
mildew, said Jill Notini, a spokeswoman for the Association of Home
Appliance Manufacturers, a trade group. 
With high-efficiency machines - which includes all front-loading
machines and any top loader that specifically states that it's high
efficiency - it's a good idea to use detergents specifically made for
them, she said. The detergents usually have H.E. on the front of the
container. But don't expect to see a lot of soap action. 
"If people see suds, they think their clothes are getting clean, but
that's wrong - it means you're using a lot of extra detergent," Ms.
Notini said. 
Here is Mr. Schmidt's test to determine if you're oversoaping. Take four
to six clean bath towels, put them in your front-loading washing machine
(one towel for a top loader). Don't add any detergent or fabric
softener. Switch to the hot water setting and medium wash and run it for
about five minutes. 
Check for soap suds. If you don't see any suds right away, turn off the
machine and see if there is any soapy residue. If you see suds or
residue, it is soap coming out of your clothes from the last wash. 
To read the rest of the article with the answers to the rest of the
questions, go to: 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/your-money/13shortcuts.html?ref=genera
l&src=me&pagewanted=print
 
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