person pouring laundry powder into a front loader washing machine

A Guide to Using Laundry Powder

It seems tedious, but in order to get the most from your washing, it’s important to use the right amount of laundry detergent. Using too much laundry powder or liquid leads to poor rinsing and is also uneconomical, whereas not using enough can lead to poor cleaning results and potentially a build-up of dirt and debris in your machine. But how much should you be using? Read on to find out more with this Canstar Blue guide. 

How much laundry powder should I use?

The recommended dosage for a single regular load of washing is 110ml (using the measurements of the cup provided) and an extra 100ml can be added if your clothes are particularly stained. However, you should always check the specific instructions provided with your detergent. Little effort on your part is required in order to get the dosage correct, and fortunately most brands come with a guide and a scoop that measures the correct amount.

person putting laundry powder in a top loader washing machine

How to use laundry powder

There are different ways to insert the correct amount of washing powder depending on the type of machine you have. You’ll often find that there are different types of washing powders for top-loader and front-loader washing machines, so be sure to pick up the correct washing detergent for your machine.

How to use washing powder in a front-loader washing machine

To apply the laundry powder correctly in a front-loader, all you have to do is add the powder to the dispensing draw and start the machine. It will do the rest of the work for you.

Front-loader machines tend to use less water than top-loaders, and front-loader laundry powders contain anti-foaming ingredients as a result. Using top-loading detergents in a front-loader washing machine can cause foam to build up between the inner and outer drums, which then lead to the washer burning out.

How to use washing powder in a top-loader washing machine

To apply your laundry powder to a top-loader washing machine, you can add the detergent either to the machine bowl itself, or down the centre of the agitator for most standard machines. It is recommended by many providers such as OMO that you don’t add the power directly to the top of your clothes when using a toploader, so be sure to read the instructions of your detergent before using.

Where to buy laundry powder

You can buy laundry powder from all standard supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles. There are a number of popular brands that sell laundry powder like OMO, Cold Power, Fab, Trimat and more. For 2023, Aldi’s Trimat won the award for Most Satisfied Customers for Laundry Powder from Canstar Blue with a five-star rating in each category.   

Is powder or liquid laundry detergent better?

When choosing between laundry powder and liquid laundry detergent, there are a number of factors that come into play – the major one being personal preference, although we’ve broken down the argument in our guide on powder vs liquid. Regardless of whichever camp you fall into, if you’re looking to up your washing game, check out our latest ratings for laundry liquids below to see which brands are scrubbing up best. 

Laundry Liquid Reviews

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