"To be specific, my question is: for a load of say 2.5 to 3 cu-ft of clothes in a FL washer how much liquid detergent is the right amount?"

2 Tablespoons can be 1.) enough, 2.) too much, or 3.) not enough --- depending on how hard or soft your water is ... and how dirty the load of laundry is. Also the size of your laundry load matters. This is why I do not use detergent pods.

Harder water will need more than 2 Tbsp. It's all a matter of "YMMV." If I had a dollar for every conversation and comment about detergent dosing for FL washers here, I would be rich.

I take notes and keep them handy around the washer because after some trial-and-error, different types of laundry need different amounts of detergent. I often tape a small post-it note on the bottle of liquid detergent, like: "Golf clothes 1 week = 2 Tbs" Now that weather is hot and humid, some Borax is added, too.

Lightly soiled clothes (worn around house and office) don't need much detergent. The golf, yard work, and athletic clothes need more due to sweat and sunscreen.

When I ditched a conventional top-load washer for a FL, the salesman told me to use 1/4 of the amount I had been using for our ca. 1995 Whirlpool top-load washing machine. He wasn't joking.

When I pull the black gasket open on our SQ FL (after a load has completed) to wipe it down and see some foam or white residue, then I know there was a bit too much detergent and run the Quick Wash (without detergent!) for a couple more rinses. That wouldn't bother most people but detergent residue, even the Free/Clear/Gentle type, in clothes is bad for my sensitive skin.

ken c --- update and an example of my FL dosing dilemmas: right now I have three fairly heavy cotton bath mats in the washer. Two were fairly filthy from shoes walking across them. I used 1/2 Tb. powder Tide free/gentle + 1/2Tb pure oxygen bleach powder (no fillers), + 2 teaspoons of Borax. That was too much detergent and I'm having to deal with it. Maybe it was the borax. IDK, but I'll be making a note for the next time. :-)

Thanks Calvimum, ah yes, then there's the debate about powder vs liquid.

A way to confirm proper dosing is check for the water being slippery between the fingers. It's better to use a little too much than not enough.

"We're learning that you need a good load of clothes in the tub, not lots of little loads"

I run small loads all the time. Even one-item loads if need be. My front loader will fill the drum according to the size of the load. Have never had a problem in this regard, nor in a stuffed-full load either.

There is no hard and fast rule for detergent amounts. I ignore the instructions on the bottle. I use Tide Free liquid mostly, and I find it best to err on the side of less. My water is slightly hard (9 gpg). If I have been doing things that leave more dirt or perspiration on the clothes, then I increase the detergent of course. You will need to experiment to see what detergent amounts are best for you.

Yes, it could be enough - depending on the qualities of your water and the quality of the detergent. You will need a bit of trial and error, aiming for just a tiny bit of visible suds in the window, and clothes that are clean but don't smell of detergent.

I think part of it has to do with the washer itself. I have naturally softer water. I had an Electrolux FL and I would end up with a sudsy mess even using 2 to 3 Tblspns of Tide powder detergent. I had to reduce it down and over time the clothes built up permastink. I now have an LG FL and can use a lot more detergent without a sudsy mess and the clothes are clean and don't smell.