How much detergent should I use in my dishwasher?

The amount of detergent depends on water hardness and soil level of the load. For soft water (0-4 gpg) use 5-8 teaspoons, for medium water (5-9 gpg) use 7-10 teaspoons, and for hard water (10-12 gpg) use 9-12 teaspoons. Too little detergent results in poor cleaning and spotting, while too much can cause permanent etching or cloudiness.