How much detergent to use
■ The amount of detergent to use depends on the
hardness of your water and the type of detergent. If you
use too little, dishes won't be clean. If you use too
much In soft water, glassware will etch.
■ Water hardness can change over a period of time. Find
out your water's hardness by asking your local water
department, water softener company, or county
extension agent.
■ Different brands of dishwasher detergent have different
amounts of phosphorous for softening water. If you
have hard water and use a detergent with a
phosphorous content of less than 8.7%, you might
need to use more detergent, or use a detergent with a
phosphorous content higher than 8.7%.
Medium to Hard
Water
7 to 12 grains per
gallon
For normally soiled and
heavily soiled loads:
■ Fill the Main Wash section
(3 tbs or 45 g)
■ Partially fill the Pre-Wash
section (2 tbs or 30 g) if
needed
NOTE: Fill amounts shown are for standard powdered
detergent. Amounts may vary if you use liquid or
concentrated powdered detergent. Follow instructions on
the package when using liquid dishwasher detergent or
concentrated powdered detergent.
Where to fill
Top of 1 st step (1 tb or 15 g)
Water Hardness Amount of Detergent
Soft to Medium
Hard Water
0 to 6 grains per
gallon
For normally soiled loads:
■ Partially fill the Main Wash
section (2 tbs or 30 g)
■ Partially fill the Pre-Wash
section (2 tbs or 30 g) if
needed
NOTE: Add only 1 tb or 15 g of
detergent to both sections if
dishes are pre-rinsed or the water
is very soft (0 to 2 grains per
gallon).
For heavily soiled loads:
■ Fill the Main Wash section
(3 tbs or45g)
■ Partially fill the Pre-Wash
section (2 tbs or 30 g)
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