> I didn't realize that the Sport can only use cold water for the rinse, since I think that a warm water rinse would help.

The Cold rinse temperatures depend on the cold water at your faucet.

If you have a Laundry Sink, you could connect the Cold Hose to the sink spout, and adjust the temperature as needed.

IIRC most all the US fl machines use cold water rinses...

Personally, if you are using Tide (or most any detergent) I'd start with about 1/4 (or less) of the 'recommended' NORMAL dose... this is typically the lowest line on their measuring scoop/cup...

I use Charlie's powder and typically use ~2/3 of their scoop... which is about a tablespoon or so when full...

occassionally, in particular with gym clothes, I have been known to toss in some baking soda with my wash... truthfull, I did this almost every load with my tl to help with the septic system... but I don't do it anywhere near as often now with my fl as the water going thru the holding tank is no where near the same volume anymore... anyway... the baking soda is a great neutralizer....

Ummm...would you mind telling us how much Tide HE you're using now for a full load? Do you have soft water or hard? How hard?

I've never actually measured the water, but I'd guess it's in the average range. I've visited places with hard water and ours is nothing like that.

For a full load in the Sport, I use Level 1 on the scoop, which is for medium loads but I figure full in a Sport is only medium for most washers. And I'm now trying out even less than that.

No extra points are given for following the printed guides on the box or the plastic cup. The only purpose of washing is getting clean, sweet stuff at the end of the day.

Use a quarter or half of what you've been using and see if you get clean clothes. If not, increase. Repeat as necessary. But if you do get clean stuff try decreasing, again, until you stop getting good cleaning. Then increase enough to get back to good cleaning and you're done.

Use measuring spoons, not the scoop from the box, for accuracy because the larger scoops will pack down as you try to adjust the amount in smaller fractions. Once you know the best "standard dose" for your stuff, machine and water, then look around for a single little scoop that is exactly the right size so it's easy just dip and dump.

Don't try to arrive at the right dose by just eyeballing it. And write down what dosage you've tried for each load during the testing phase. That way you won't have to keep rehashing it. It's faster, in the long run.

If you see that your regular product has come out in a "new, improved" formula, remember that you may need to recalibrate the dosage all over again.

Be thoughtful about your wash, if you've got an unusually large, or dirty, load then add a bit more detergent, water, temperature, time, intensity of wash, extra rinse or pre-wash/pre-soak (either one of these items or any combination you fancy) to meet the challenge. Worst case scenario with aiming for using the minimum amount of product is that occasionally you have to reprocess something. That's annoying but less of a pain than over-dosing every single load and having to deal with the consequences of that.

And also keep in mind that if you suddenly begin washing stuff that hasn't been constantly under your regimen (guests' stuff, just home from college loads, GoodWill finds, etc.) you may have to wash out all kinds of excess product before it settles down again.

HTH,

Molly~

My LG has a "warm rinse" option on any cycle that uses a "warm wash".

Thanks for this post. I just checked and I use 2 Tablespoons in my Asko Washer.
Always head for less.
I add Vinegar often to a load. 1/2 cup or so.
I always leave the door a bit open, I have read of other taking out the dispensing drawer and leaving on top of machine so it can air out.
Also have read of other using tee-shirt from next load to cleanout "baffles" where gunk collects.
If I see suds with the Final Spin I know I've used too much.