When using my washing machine, how much detergent should I use?

This depends on the hardness of your water and the soil in your clothing. Softened water requires quite a bit less detergent than hard water—yet the more soiled the clothes, the more detergent you need to clean them. See the instructions on the detergent package for specific guidelines. If soap suds remain at the end of the cycle, you are probably using too much detergent.