Spanish laundry detergent instructions are confusing, even if you speak Spanish

Over the years, Consumer Reports has found cases where confusing laundry detergent instructions could lead to serious overdosing. Besides wasting money, the extra suds can result in a moldy, smelly washer, and even mechanical failure. With our latest report on laundry detergents, we now know the practice is bilingual. Introducing ArielUSA, whose Spanish instructions could have you using nearly twice as much detergent as necessary—no matter what language you speak.

Distributed by Procter & Gamble (P&G), ArielUSA, a concentrated powder detergent is sold at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Home Depot, and many local grocery stores, where its Spanish-language packaging targets Hispanic shoppers. "Económico y eficaz" reads the bag, a claim that should translate easily enough for shoppers of any tongue.

The ArielUSA instructions, however, are written only in Spanish, leaving English speakers in the dark about how much detergent to use. But even Spanish speakers are likely to get it wrong. Here's why. The instructions say to use 3/4 taza (cup) for lavadas grandes (large loads) and 1/2 taza for lavadas medianas (medium loads). Next to the instructions is a picture of what appears to be a standard measuring cup. To our testers that seemed like a lot of detergent for a concentrated formula compared with other detergents we have evaluated.

We contacted P&G's customer service for verification, starting with the English-speaking number. At first, the representative said the 3/4-cup and 1/2-cup measurements were correct. But when we pressed further, a supervisor came on and told us we should actually use 1/5 cup for a medium load. Next we called a Spanish-speaking representative, who added to the confusion by instructing us to use the scoop included with the product. When we explained that there was no scoop, the rep agreed to send us one in the mail. With this scoop, we were able to measure an amount that was consistent with the suggested usage for other concentrated detergents—about 40 grams for a medium load—less than 1/4 cup. That's nearly half as much detergent as what the current ArielUSA instructions recommend.

In our full analysis of laundry detergent instructions, P&G actually comes out as one of the better manufacturers. The cap on its liquid Tide products, for example, has well-marked lines and easy-to-read numbers. P&G should apply the same standard to ArielUSA by including a clearly-marked scoop with the product and accurate instructions in any language.

To make sure you're using the proper amount of detergent, always read the instructions carefully. If they don't make sense, call customer service and be prepared to ask for a supervisor if you don't get a satisfactory explanation. And for the cleanest possible results, choose a product that makes the recommended list in our latest laundry detergent Ratings.

—Daniel DiClerico