started · updated
Detergent usage in Germany: Expert advice on dosage and eco-friendly options
In Germany, approximately 547,000 tons of detergent are consumed annually, averaging about 6.5 kilograms per person, according to the Industry Association for Personal Care and Detergents (IKW).
Consumer experts, including Ane Esdohr from the Berlin Consumer Advice Center, emphasize that using more detergent does not result in cleaner laundry and can lead to excessive foaming. Proper dosage should be determined by water hardness, the level of soil, and the volume of laundry. Consumers are encouraged to check local water hardness levels and follow the instructions on product packaging.
For daily needs, experts suggest that a few basic products are sufficient: heavy-duty detergent for whites and hygienic laundry, color detergent for brights and darks, and wool or delicate detergents as needed. They note that specialized black laundry detergents are often more of a marketing tactic than a necessity. However, they warn against using heavy-duty detergent on dark clothes to prevent bleaching. For eco-friendly options, consumers are advised to look for labels such as Blauer Engel, EU-Ecolabel, Ecocert, Ecogarantie, or NCP.
Entities
Ane Esdohr · Germany · Industrieverband Körperpflege- und Waschmittel · Verbraucherzentrale Berlin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Consumers are advised to use detergents with eco-labels such as Blauer Engel or EU-Ecolabel. courage-lounge.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Dark clothing should not be washed with heavy-duty detergent as it can cause bleaching. courage-lounge.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Black laundry detergent is often more of a marketing tool than a necessity. courage-lounge.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Approximately 547,000 tons of detergent are consumed annually in Germany. courage-lounge.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The correct detergent dosage depends on water hardness, level of dirt, and the amount of laundry. courage-lounge.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.fehmarn24.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +5 more