The concentrated laundry liquid is one of the products that surprises customers most. 100 ml for 10 loads sounds implausible if you are used to standard supermarket detergents, which are typically diluted to around 10-15% active ingredient. Here is what concentrated actually means and how to use it without wasting it.
What 'concentrated' means in formulation terms ¶
A standard supermarket laundry liquid is typically 10-15% active surfactant, with the rest being water, fragrance, and stabilisers. A concentrated formula is 30-40% active surfactant. You use less because there is more of the working ingredient per millilitre. The Kyoto-formulated laundry liquid we stock is approximately 35% active, which is why 10 ml per load is sufficient for a standard front-loading machine. Using more does not clean better. It leaves residue on fabric and in the machine drum.
How to measure without a dosing cap ¶
Most customers refill into a bottle that does not have a dosing cap. A standard 10 ml dose is roughly two teaspoons. A small measuring cup or a 10 ml syringe (available at any pharmacy) is the most accurate method. After a few uses, most people develop a feel for the right amount. If you are washing a heavily soiled load or a large drum, 15 ml is the upper limit we recommend. Going above that does not improve cleaning and makes rinsing harder.
Cold-water performance and enzyme activity ¶
The laundry liquid is enzyme-based, which means it works by breaking down protein and starch stains at a molecular level. Enzymes are effective in cold water. Typically 20-30 degrees Celsius. Which is where most of the energy saving in a laundry cycle comes from. At temperatures above 60 degrees, the enzymes denature and stop working, so the product performs best in cold or warm cycles. For hot washes, a non-enzyme formula would be more appropriate, but we do not currently stock one.
What to do if you see residue on fabric ¶
Residue on fabric after washing is almost always a sign of overdosing, not underdosing. Run the affected items through a rinse-only cycle without adding any detergent. If the problem persists, reduce your dose by 20% on the next wash. Residue can also build up in the machine drum over time if the dose has been consistently too high. Running an empty hot cycle once a month helps clear this.
The full data sheet for the laundry liquid, including the active ingredient list and the recommended dose for different machine types, is posted beside the dispenser. If you have a specific question about compatibility with a particular fabric or machine, email hello@reedvaultgate.com.