What Happens if You Use Too Much Laundry Detergent

Especially for busy moms, it can be difficult to get laundry done quickly and efficiently, while also doing a good job of getting clothes clean. Add to the fact that different types of washing machines have different water and detergent requirements and things can get quite confusing. So what happens if you use too little or too much laundry detergent – does it really matter?

What Happens if You Use Too Much Laundry Detergent?

There are several ways to know if you used the right amount of laundry detergent during the last cleaning cycle. Following these signs, you can adjust powder or liquid laundry detergent levels to maximize cleaning power, while also protecting your washing machine and clothing.

How Much is Too Much Laundry Detergent?

Most laundry detergents were formulated to work with either front load washers or traditional machines.

Many people don’t know it, but the measuring cups that come with your laundry detergent are often 10 times more than you actually need. The New York Times suggests you really only need two tablespoons of detergent for very large loads.

Because Charlie’s Soap Natural Detergent is ultra-concentrated – a small amount of detergent goes a long way. Just one tablespoon of Charlie’s Powder Detergent is sufficient for one large, 8-pound load size. A 2.64-pound bag can wash up to 100 loads of clothes. Charlie’s Laundry Liquid Detergent has a pre-measured cap, and 2/3 of the cap (about 1.25 oz) is typically enough for a large load of clothes.

Luckily when you use Charlie’s Soap, you don’t have to worry about accidentally using too much, and your fabrics suffer the consequences. Charlie’s is tested to fully rinse from your fabrics up to 4 times the recommended dosage.

Signs You’re Using Too Much Laundry Detergent

While no two products are the same, there are a few key things that you can monitor to find the perfect amount of laundry detergent for your needs. In the event that you run into any of the following problems, you likely need to adjust the amount of detergent you use or switch brands altogether.

To ensure you aren’t using any extra detergent, keep an eye on the following indicators:

• Stiff, starchy clothes might indicate a buildup of detergent residue
• Visible residue
• White marks
• Dull looking colors
• Smelly washing machine
• Excess suds in the washer
• Itchy skin

Using too much detergent can actually start to damage your washing machine, and lead to drainage or plumbing problems, so we highly recommend using the correct amount of detergent!

Should I Be Worried if My Detergent Doesn’t Suds Up?

Contrary to popular belief, laundry detergent doesn’t need to get foamy to work properly. In traditional washing machines, suds can actually prevent fabrics from agitating properly, trapping residue in your clothes, and preventing you from getting the best clean possible.

This is actually a good thing, soapy water doesn’t mean cleaner fabrics. In fact, foaming can actually be harmful to your clothes, and many HE washers recommend low suds detergent. Namely, because HE washers use less water than traditional machines, which can prevent dirt and residue from fully rinsing from your clothing.

Detergents like Charlie’s Soap are specifically designed NOT to suds up, so the agitation phase of the laundry cycle is more effective. Do not make the mistake of adding more detergent when using a product like Charlie’s – no suds is a positive thing!

What If I’ve Accidentally Been Using Too Much Detergent

Don’t worry, if you have been accidentally using too much detergent it’s an easy fix. In fact, by getting your detergent amounts dialed in, you can more effectively clean clothes during every wash cycle.

• Start by using less detergent
  Detergent caps and scoops usually indicate you need to use more than you actually do. Draw a little line in the cap or scoop to prevent using an excess of detergent.

• Clean your washing machine
  If there’s been a buildup of excess laundry soap for years. Charlie’s Soap can be used to wash your washer – drop a tablespoon into the empty drum and wash in hot water for a few rinse cycles. High-efficiency washers and front-loading loaders are typically more prone to needing a clean than a top-loading machine. If your machine smells, consider using a small amount of white vinegar in your next load!
• Double-rinse
  Consider giving your load of laundry an extra rinse by running the washer without detergent in hot water next time you do a load.
• Use Charlie’s Soap
  Charlie’s is tested to fully rinse from your fabrics up to 4 times the recommended dosage. Better yet, Charlie’s Soap cleans your washer with each wash, so once you clean it, as long as you don’t switch to other detergents, you’ll never have to clean the washer again.