When choosing a laundry detergent, check the fabric you are going to wash first, then the product's intended use and its dosage table. Do not assume that a coloured shirt and a white towel call for the same amount of product. Machine capacity, water hardness and the level of soiling determine not only how many washes a bottle will give you but also the amount you use in each wash.
Answer three questions before you shop
The first question is which laundry you wash most often at home. A detergent offered for everyday whites and colours may not at the same time be suitable for every fabric that needs special care. The second question is your machine's capacity and the programme you will use. The third is the hardness level of your mains water. Matching this information against the product's dosage table gives a more meaningful comparison than looking at bottle volume alone.
Rather than automatically adding a stain product and a softener to your shopping list beside the detergent, decide what job you want to do. General washing, pre-treating a particular stain and softness in laundry are different needs. There is no single routine in which all three have to be used every time.
Move from the wording on the front to the instructions for use
You may have found a product by searching for "herbal laundry detergent". Even so, make your choice on the basis of its intended use, the ingredient information given and the warnings on the packaging. The origin of one component does not on its own show that the whole formula is suitable for every skin or fabric. A fragrance name is likewise no substitute for an ingredient list.
If you see an environmental claim, check what it refers to: the formula, the packaging, or a particular stage of production? The Turkish Ministry of Trade's statement takes as its basis that general environmental claims must be made clear and that certification claims must be supported by documentation. The detail that helps when shopping is exactly which product and which property the claim covers.
The full dosage table for Herbaclean Laundry Detergent
Herbaclean Extra Concentrated Laundry Detergent is a 1000 ml liquid detergent for white and coloured laundry, scented with olive blossom. Find the amount to use in the machine from the three pieces of information below. Follow the current instructions on your own packaging together with your machine's guidance on detergent use.
| Capacity | Water | Lightly soiled | Normally soiled | Heavily soiled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–5 kg | Normal | 50 ml | 60 ml | 70 ml |
| 4–5 kg | Hard | 60 ml | 70 ml | 80 ml |
| 6 kg and above | Normal | 65 ml | 75 ml | 85 ml |
| 6 kg and above | Hard | 75 ml | 85 ml | 95 ml |
For example, for a machine of 6 kg and above with normal water and normally soiled laundry, the measure is 75 ml. Where the same capacity is combined with hard water and heavily soiled laundry, the table gives 95 ml. Hand washing is a separate application: 10 ml to 10 litres of water. Do not carry the machine dose straight over to a hand-washing basin.
How to work out the number of washes and the cost
A one-litre bottle giving 20 washes rests on the condition that 50 ml is used in each wash. When the dose changes, the number of uses changes too. When comparing two products, look at the number of washes stated for your own conditions alongside the bottle price. Do not go below the recommended dose in order to use less product.
- Read the packaging volume in ml.
- Choose the dose that matches your own wash from the table.
- Divide the volume by that amount to calculate the approximate number of uses.
- Compare prices on the basis of that same set of conditions.
An unmarked cap makes this calculation uncertain. If the volume of the product cap is not marked, use a measure whose ml value you know. A cap does not mean the same amount in every brand and every pack.
When to consider a stain product and a softener
If there is a stain on a particular part of a garment, you can look at the 500 ml Stain Remover for a pre-treatment suited to the fabric. If you prefer softness and a soft scent, Fabric Softener is a separate care product. Its 40-wash figure likewise applies only to a usage of 25 ml. Follow each product's own instructions for use; do not mix detergent with other cleaners.
Frequently asked questions
Is the highest dose the better choice in every wash?
No. The table does not recommend a single maximum measure; it distinguishes between different conditions. Use the row matching your own capacity, water and level of soiling.
Can whites and colours be washed at the same time?
A detergent being suitable for both groups does not mean those groups should be washed together in the same load. Separate them according to colour and care requirements.
Should those looking for a fragrance-free product choose olive blossom?
Olive blossom is the description of a fragrance. It is not the same thing as looking for an unscented or fragrance-free product.
Can I use the same detergent for wool?
First check the suitability information for both the woollen garment and the detergent. For fabrics that need special care, do not decide on the words "white and coloured" alone.