Whether it’s an open bar or an all-you-can-eat buffet, it’s easy to overindulge without realizing you’ve gone too far. The same can be said for laundry, as people typically use way too much detergent. Some believe more soap means cleaner clothing, but excessive amounts can actually lead to unwanted residue, stiff fabric, and musty odors…
For these reasons, it’s probably in your best interest to cut back. So, how much detergent do you really need? While the precise amount depends on the size of the load, here’s a breakdown of what the experts recommend.
The Case for Using Less Detergent
When loading the washing machine, don’t just eyeball the detergent — and don’t follow the instructions on the bottle, either. Wirecutter writer and laundry expert Andrea Barnes suggests using 2 tablespoons of powdered or liquid detergent at most. “And that’s for the big loads, as in 12 pounds and up,” Barnes said in an interview with the outlet. “For most loads — the average is about 8 pounds — just 1 tablespoon is enough.” It sounds like a small amount, but Barnes claims it’s the ideal ratio for clean clothes without the soapy residue.
According to washing machine manufacturers such as Whirlpool and LG, 2 tablespoons is indeed plenty for a normal-sized load in a high-efficiency washing machine. It’s worth noting that using too much detergent isn’t harmful only to clothing; it’s bad for the machine, too. Soapy residue can build up inside, creating mechanical issues that cause the unit to operate less efficiently.
Most laundry detergents sold today are high-efficiency (HE), which are ultraconcentrated, designed to work with less water, and produce fewer suds than traditional soap. This is why you need only 1 to 2 tablespoons to wash an entire load. If your washing machine was made before 2004, you may need to use slightly more HE detergent — about 1/4 cup — to account for the higher water volume. This measurement applies to both powdered and liquid HE detergent.
More from our network
House Outlook is part of Inbox Studio, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
Don’t Trust the Cap
Keep in mind that detergent makers typically tell you to use more product than necessary. Don’t be fooled by the markings on the cap, which often exceed 2 tablespoons. For example, Tide recommends filling the cap to line 1, which represents 1.5 ounces (about 3 tablespoons) of liquid detergent. Instead, keep a dedicated measuring spoon in the laundry room to confirm you’re adding only what you need.
At the end of the day, a small amount of detergent goes a long way toward cleaning your clothes, keeping the machine in working order, and saving you money. If a recent load felt stiff or smelled musty, try cutting back on the detergent. You’ll likely notice a positive difference.
