How much detergent is too much detergent

When is it too much detergent?
After your wash, do you always end up with a pile of stiff, starchy garments? There’s a good
chance you’re using too much laundry detergent. Laundry detergents are used to remove stains
and dirt but using a lot of detergents can result in a mess. This is caused by the detergent
residue that hasn't been completely rinsed out, and it can transform your previously soft
wardrobe into a crunchy, scratchy, and uncomfortable-to-wear load of clothes. Too much
detergent can ruin your clothes. This might be a funny statement but the more detergent you
use the dirtier your clothes can get.

How much detergent should you use?
To effectively clean your clothes, use no more than 2 tablespoons per load—and that's only for
large loads weighing 12 pounds or more. 1 tablespoon is sufficient to clean an average load,
which typically weighs around 8 pounds. The amount of detergent you should add varies greatly
among brands, but keep in mind that the back of your bottle might recommend that you use
more than 2 tablespoons per load. It gets worse if you use high-efficiency detergent, which is
made from high-concentration, low-sudsing formulas and can be used in both traditional and HE
machines. HE detergents are at least twice as concentrated as traditional detergents. A high-
efficiency washer uses less water than a traditional washing machine to clean your clothes, so
there is even less water to dilute the detergent.

Whirlpool recommends soaking soiled laundry in a vinegar-water solution. 1 cup vinegar to 1-
quart water in a large sink or bathtub, then add dirty clothes. Rub the stained section of the
garment against itself to loosen any visible detergent stains. Whirlpool recommends soaking the
clothes for up to an hour before washing them in a regular wash cycle.

How to load a washing machine
Learning how to do laundry better is also a great way to extend the life of your appliance. It is
critical to avoid overloading your washing machine. Fill it to about 75% capacity with clothing
and avoid packing it too tightly. To avoid damaging your device, distribute clothes evenly and
loosely inside. Unless your washer's instruction manual says otherwise, add detergent before
loading laundry. If your washer has an automatic dispenser for liquid laundry detergent, fill it
with detergent.

Generally, use not more than a tablespoon of laundry detergent per regular load size. (The
measuring cup that comes with your liquid laundry detergent is approximately ten times larger
than the amount of laundry soap required.) This rule holds true for both liquid and powder
detergent, as well as homemade laundry detergent.

Check the use and care manual for your washer for manufacturer recommendations on which
soaps are best for your machine and how much laundry detergent to use per load. Never pour
liquid detergent into your washing machine without first measuring it.

If your washing machine is newer, it may require high-efficiency (HE) laundry soap, which is
specially formulated to prevent excessive suds. If you don't use HE laundry detergent in your
newer washer, cut back by one-third of the detergent's recommended amount.
Washer cleaner tablets should be used on a monthly basis to help dissolve and remove any
remaining odor-causing soap residue in your washing machine.
Using too much laundry can cost you a lot of money, so it's always better to make sure you
have that in mind while doing your laundry. Always be ready to wash your troubles away!