Detergent and additive use are critical factors in the performance of your washer.
Excess detergent usage is very common and over time leads to poor wash/rinse performance, buildup, odors, leaking, and more.
Follow these instructions and helpful tips to avoid using too much and keep your washer running at its best.
The dispenser drawer for your LG washer is divided into different compartments, liquid chlorine bleach, fabric softener, and a main wash detergent compartment that holds a removable liquid detergent cup.
Note: Image for illustration purposes only. Dispensers may vary by model
Main Wash
Never fill above Max line. Remove liquid detergent cup if using powder detergent.
Fabric Softener
If using concentrated softener, dilute with warm water.
Liquid Bleach
Only use liquid chlorine bleach. Do not exceed the maximum fill line.
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Liquid Detergent
- Be sure to use high efficiency (HE) detergent with your washing machine.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on how much liquid detergent should be used.
- When adding liquid detergent, make sure that the liquid detergent cup located in the main wash liquid detergent compartment is in place to prevent the main wash detergent from being prematurely dispensed.
- If your washer is equipped with Prewash + Normal cycle, put items to be prewashed in the washer. Add prewash detergent to the main wash compartment and start a cycle. When chime sounds, pause to unlock the lid, add the main detergent to dispenser, and insert the remainder of your laundry.
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Powder Detergent
- Be sure to use high efficiency (HE) detergent with your washing machine.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on how much-powdered detergent should be used.
- Remove the liquid detergent cup from the dispenser drawer. The powdered detergent will not dispense properly if the liquid detergent cup is in place.
- If your washer is equipped with Prewash + Normal cycle, put items to be prewashed in the washer. Add prewash detergent to the main wash compartment and start a cycle. When chime sounds, pause to unlock the lid, add the main detergent to the dispenser, and insert the remainder of your laundry.
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Pods
- Place one pod directly in the tub of washer prior to loading laundry into the machine.
- No more than 1 pod should be used per load.
- Do not put pods in a dispenser drawer.
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Helpful Hints
- Always be sure to use HE or high-efficiency detergent with your washing machine.
- Using too much detergent can cause over sudsing, poor rinsing, and detergent buildup on clothing. Please keep this in mind and adjust your detergent amount as needed.
- Do not exceed the maximum fill line in any compartment.
- Do not mix powder and liquid detergents in the dispenser. If using liquid detergent, put powdered additives directly into the tub.
- If you see soapsuds (bubbles that form when soap is mixed with water) during or after the wash cycle, use half of the recommended amount.
- Keep reducing detergent amounts until little or no suds are seen.
- In areas with soft water, a normal size load may require as little as 1-2 tablespoons per cycle.
- LG does not recommend the use of 2x or 3x concentrated detergents
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Fabric Softener
- When adding liquid fabric softener, add the liquid softener into the compartment marked softener.
- Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations when adding fabric softener.
- Do not exceed the maximum fill line.
- It is recommended that you dilute concentrated fabric softeners with warm water before use.
- If the fabric softener is concentrated, as little as 1-2 teaspoons is all that is needed for a normal load.
- Using too much fabric softener may result in stained clothes.
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Bleach
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how much liquid bleach should be used based on load size.
- Always measure out the amount of bleach before use. Do not try to guess by pouring.
- Liquid bleach should only be added into the compartment marked liquid bleach only.
- Do not add powdered or liquid color-safe bleach into this compartment.
- Pour bleach directly into the bleach dispenser compartment.
- Avoid overfilling or splashing when adding bleach to the dispenser.
- Do not exceed the maximum fill line.
- Color-safe bleach may be added to the main detergent compartment along with the detergent.
- Using too much bleach can damage fabrics.
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Wash Boosters
- Wash boosters/scent boosters may be used according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Boosters should be put directly in the tub of the unit prior to loading laundry into the washer.
- We recommend careful use of wash boosters. These wash boosters cause bubbles and over sudsing when they finally dilute in water.
- When using additives and wash boosters, be very cautious about the first few times you add it to a wash cycle, even if the manufacturer of the additive describes it as HE or HE Compatible.
- Take a look inside the tub to see if there are traces of excessive suds when the additive was used.
- Reduce the amount of additive or booster when you notice the occurrence of sudsing or leaking from your machine.
