How much concentrated detergent should you use? Measuring by load weight

Quick answer: measure by the dose on the label and the weight of the load, not by feel. For example, SPY Ultra Clean Plus recommends 50–70ml for 5–7kg of clothes, roughly 10ml per kg. Use less for small or lightly soiled loads and the top of the range for heavily soiled ones.

What does “concentrated” mean?

A concentrated detergent has a higher share of cleaning agents in the same volume, so each wash needs less. Don’t measure out of habit from a thinner product.

Estimating load weight

Load	Approximate dry weight
One adult’s everyday outfit	About 0.5–0.8kg
One pair of jeans	About 0.6–0.8kg
One double bedding set	About 1.5–2kg
An 8kg drum about two-thirds full	About 5kg

These are rough figures for quick measuring. Machines show their maximum load on the lid; don’t exceed it.

Quick dosing table (at 50–70ml per 5–7kg)

Load weight	Lightly soiled	Heavily soiled
3kg	About 30ml	About 40ml
5kg	50ml	60ml
7kg	60ml	70ml

Each product has its own dose, so always follow the pack of the one you’re using.

Why more doesn’t clean better

• It doesn’t rinse out: leftover detergent stays in fabric, leaving it stiff.
• More foam: longer rinsing, and front-loaders may show an error.
• It costs more without cleaner clothes.

When to use more or less

• Top of the range: workwear, sweaty sportswear, kitchen towels.
• Less: small loads, clothes worn for a few hours, a small hand-wash basin.
• Tough stains: rather than raising the whole dose, apply a little directly to the stain and wait a few minutes before washing.

What to measure with

Use the measuring cap that comes with the can, or keep a measuring cup by the machine. After a few washes you’ll know your usual loads by eye.

SPY Ultra Clean Plus, Ultra Clean and Deep Clean Plus all use 50–70ml for 5–7kg of clothes, for both hand and machine washing.

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