Do NOT begin with box/bottle directions for amount to use. How much you'll need will depend upon your water quality (soft/hard/how hard) and load size and how dirty, etc. For reference purposes, I have soft water and 3.8cf machine. For normal full load, I use 1/3 cup of Tide HE powder and get excellent results -- which is less than 1/2 of what the box directions say. Your results may be different but my experience with box/bottle instructions is they almost always recommend too much. Over-sudsing and poor rinsing are what you want to avoid.

I like powder. Others like liquids. Everybody has their reasons. Good luck with that.

Regular liquid fabric softener works fine. Pay attention to the top-level limit in the dispenser.

Dryer sheets work fine. Some people say they bung up the sensors in the dryer but I've used them for years with zero trouble.

Washer loading can go up to the top of the drum, but LOOSELY -- no stuffing. The clothes must be able to slosh around once wet. Different fabrics behave differently in this regard but I think you get the idea. With the capacities you mentioned, the dryer should do just fine with a full washer load. As with the washer, the clothes need to tumble freely for the machine to do its job.

Basically, read the manuals and do what they say. Being new to FL's three years ago, that's what I did and have had more-or-less perfect performance from day one.

Most people have at least one over-suds experience -- meaning too much and/or wrong kind of detergent. Over-sudsing is bad news on these machines. Please do avoid that.

You'll get all kind of answers, so just take them all and use your best judgement.

Your detergent usage will depend on the hardness of your water and the dirt on your clothes. It's better to start with less. It looks like from another forum that you are considering buying the Sears. There is a small scoop inside. Start with half.

Some people like powder and some liquid. Some use both. I just like the powder. But then I tend to use just one detergent and then supplement with bleach, oxi-clean, and fabric softener.

Liquid fabric softener should always be diluted. I actually have a dispenser that I use, and just dilute as I fill it.

I'm not a fan of dryer sheets so have no input.

As far as how much to fill. Fill but don't stuff. Permanent press I always go a little lighter. If you stuff too much, it seems to wrinkle.

On my prior FL I usually would have the load with bleach be the last load of the day. My theory was the bleach would help with any residue left in the machine. I never had a problem with mold, but that machine ran six days out of seven. The new machine, I've been leaving open. This machine isn't being used like the old machine.

Don't overdose on detergent, but don't skimp either. Insufficient detergent increases the likelihood of scum and calcium residue in the machine.

I've found info in the past stating that liquid detergents work better on oily/greasy soil, while powders are best for "dirt"-type soil. I prefer powders, but there isn't much choice on the market for HE powders.

Use a minimal dose of liquid softener, but dilute it with enough water (warm or hot water works best) to fill the dispenser cup to the Full line, or Fill or Max or however it's marked. A full dispenser cup flushes/dispenses better.

Some more tips and hints (BTW did you get the Affinity, I love mine). Always wipe the glass on the washer after the final load, to keep it clean and avoid any build up on it. Keep the door ajar, never close it after use to avoid mold buildup. Wipe the rubber boot dry after the last load. You have to get a towel all the way in there, those little holes do not allow all the water to drain out. If you are not sure where to dry out, just run your fingers around the rubber boot, inside the fold, at the bottom of the opening. You'll feel the water inside there. Don't do all of your wash in cold water, as this invites mold to the party. I always use generic oxy clean and hot water when I do my whites, and have never had a mold problem in my thirty years of happy washing in a front loader.

One tip that many recommend is to be very careful at first and use minimal amount of detergent, even to the point of using none on the first load. Reason is that so many people overdose their loads that there could be a buildup of detergent in the clothes and may need to be washed out. You could do a rinse and drain without detergent to get an idea if you have a problem in this regard.

Which set did you get?

I have the Maytag Epic w/d set, on their commercials, they claimed to wash up to 16 prs. of jeans... That's false! I like my FL, but it doesn't hold as much laundry (& get it clean) like the commercials state. Someone above mentioned the clothes need room to move, this is very true! You'll have to give yourself time to learn all of the tricks though, there are plenty! Same w/ detergent, don't use the recommended amount, use way less to begin with. Also, different loads call for different amounts. For instance, I've found that on Sanitary cycle w/ a full load of towels, I need to use less detergent, I suppose it's because of the longer wash cycle & the friction of the towels. However some here have mentioned that maybe it's b/c of left over soap residue from your body. Like I said, it's a trial & error thing.

As for fab. soft. I buy a bottle then pour 1/2 into an empty bottle & fill the bottles w/ water the rest of the way. Since these washers use so much less water, it makes sense that you wouldn't need full strength. This helps save $ too! Some ppl here may try to steer you away from using FS b/c of mold/mildew issues, but as long as you dry your washer out & do regular cleanings, there shouldn't be a problem.

I also use dryer sheets in some loads. The only thing to remember about DS's is that they make a film on your lint screen, although it takes a while. If you use DS's regularly, you should clean your lint screen every few months or so. To test your screen for build-up, just run some water onto it, if the water sits & doesn't run through, there's build-up, it should be cleaned. I don't use DS's on a regular basis, so I only clean my screen about every 4-6 months.

Another tip that I've learned is if you have extremely dirty, greasy laundry as I do, you can safely use a dishwasher pac in a prewash cycle & this helps tremedously! (*Put the pac right in the tub w/ the clothes, not in the dispenser.) My DH works construction so his jeans always have grease/oil/dirt on them. I throw them in w/ a pac on prewash & do the main wash as usual & they come out sparkling! Some of these jeans have set for several days too as he works out of state for 2 wks. @ a time, so that shows how well these little pacs work.

Good luck w/ your new machines!

Shannon