I want to see some suds during the initial wash. I don't want to see suds on the final rinse. I limit my detergents and designate them for specific temps and soils. Rarely need boosters but if I'm using a bleach product, I don't change amount of detergent. I base my detergent dosage on three factors: size of load, soil level, water temp. In order to do that, I had to establish my baseline. Start with recommended label amount, reduce as needed. More for bigger, dirtier; less for smaller.

For a large load I use 2 Tbsp of detergent and a boost pod in my LG. If very soiled or greasy I use more detergent. Some detergents, Mex Ariel, are very sudsy at first but collapse quickly and rinse clean. Others, Tide liquids, don't suds a ton during the wash cycle but don't rinse well. I worry about suds in the rinse much more than the wash cycle.

MamaP, the dosing of the detergent and the amount of suds will also differ from person to person depending on water quality. Some people have whole house water softeners that reduce water hardness to zero. And then you have a wide variety of others that have municipal water or private wells with varying degrees of hardness. So the amount of suds people get from different doses of detergent will vary greatly. For example, Larsi and Rococogurl cannot use Vaska liquid due to excessive sudsing. I use it regularly with virtually zero suds, even though my water is not particularly hard.

Thanks guys......I have been using 2T powder on most loads, but most loads are large (no extra large).. yes I find my allergen (my HOT) cycle can whip the suds up fairly quickly...I think the heater comes on very early on this cycle. So I have to excersise caution.

I don't use liquid/pods often, but once in awhile I can't resist.

Sandy, you know I love my old Mex Ariel with phosphates, this is the biggest loss of my detergent stash since I took the leap to FL. Well yesterday I took a risk...I did a large load of colors, hot sweaty outdoor play/work clothes and I used 2generous Tablespoons of phosphated Ariel..I was quite happily surprised...I had only an acceptable amount of suds. First rinse was certainly not completely clear but second and third was crystal clear. I'm glad I tried this as I was going to sell it all off at the flea market, now I will save some for myself. LOL. I hhaven't yet tried my powder Cheer which I had too much suds with in my TL but perhaps a Tablespoon or two won't give me issues, one day soon I'll have to try it, since I like the no OB's for dress darks.

I'm trying to weed out what I can and can't use and make decisions on what stays to be used ..what stays, but isn't used because I still want to keep special things in my collection and what can just go to the flea market (MamaPinkys Laundry Boutique).

I am trying to be cautious about how much detergent to use and which brands, at the same time remembering that I need to clean my clothes and maintain a clean machine. Lol. Roc, recently posted a pic of her optimal suds level, I have a bit more suds than that photo shows, but I believe its still an acceptable amount, as second and third rinse are crystal clear

Mama...

I found dosing to be the hardest part to change when transitioning from a top loader to a front loader.

That's why I'm not a fan of pods, you can't adjust the dose. It's either one whole pod or two.

Mama....I totally agree with Sandy. I care more about suds in the rinse level. I have had pretty high suds levels during the wash cycle, but then rinses 2 & 3 were great. Rinse 1 sometimes can be clear, but not usually.

As long as rinses 2-3 are clear(ish) then I do not worry too much about wash suds levels, unless it is one of my Suds-O-Rama times, and then of course liquid FS gets added to the wash drum. LOL