The amount of detergent you should use in a front-loading washing machine depends on several factors, including the detergent concentration, water hardness, soil level of your clothes, and the manufacturer's recommendations. However, I can provide you with some general guidelines to get you started.
For a 6.5kg (14lbs) front-loading washing machine and clothes of normal day usage, you can follow these steps:
Check the detergent packaging: Look for the recommended dosage guidelines on the detergent packaging. Manufacturers usually provide guidelines based on the size of the load.
Consider water hardness: If you live in an area with hard water, you may need to use a bit more detergent to compensate. Hard water contains minerals that can reduce the effectiveness of detergent.
Soil level of clothes: If your clothes are heavily soiled, you might need to use a little more detergent than for lightly soiled garments.
Start with a small amount: If you are unsure about the detergent amount, start with a smaller quantity (around 1/4 to 1/3 of the recommended dose) and see if your clothes come out clean.
Observe the results: Check the cleanliness of your clothes after a few wash cycles. If they appear clean and fresh, you're using the right amount. If they seem dull or dirty, you may need to increase the detergent amount slightly.
Avoid overusing detergent: Using too much detergent can lead to excess suds and may not necessarily make your clothes cleaner. Moreover, excessive suds can put extra strain on your washing machine and lead to potential issues.
Remember that front-loading washing machines are designed to be more water-efficient than top-loading machines, so you generally need less detergent for front loaders.
As a side note, some modern washing machines have detergent dispensers that automatically release the appropriate amount of detergent based on the size of the load and the chosen cycle. If your machine has this feature, you can rely on it to provide the right amount of detergent.
Always refer to your washing machine's user manual for specific guidelines and settings. If you have any doubts, you can also contact the manufacturer's customer support for assistance.