Overview

• Consumer advisors say most homes only need Vollwaschmittel for whites, Colorwaschmittel for colors, and a specialist wool detergent for wool or silk that avoids enzymes, bleach and optical brighteners.
• Keep products in their designated compartments, as mixing fabric softener with detergent can clog the drawer and putting detergent in the softener slot can leave residues that may cause skin redness.
• Dose sparingly and avoid overloading, because excess detergent leaves films that stiffen fabrics and cause odors or irritation; follow water‑hardness guidance and use a measuring cup.
• Wash mostly at 30–40 °C to cut energy use, reserving 60 °C for items like towels or underwear, with Umweltbundesamt estimating about 230 g CO2 at 30 °C versus roughly 680 g at 60 °C.
• Favor powder for whites, skip fabric softeners for environmental and ethical reasons, and capture microfibers with in‑wash filters or aids such as Cora‑Ball or GuppyFriend because sewage plants do not remove all fibers.