What Mom Didn’t Tell You About Laundry Detergents

Using laundry detergent correctly is just as important as choosing the right detergent. More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. Using too much can leave residue on clothing, make rinsing more difficult, contribute to buildup in the washing machine, and sometimes make clothes feel stiff or look dingy.

When choosing a laundry detergent, start by checking your washing machine owner’s manual. Many modern washing machines require or recommend HE (high-efficiency) detergent, including both front-loading and high-efficiency top-loading machines.

Beyond that, your choice usually comes down to the type of detergent you prefer, the type of laundry you wash, your water conditions, fragrance preferences, and budget.

Use the Right Amount of Laundry Detergent

One of the most common laundry mistakes is using too much detergent.

If the detergent instructions say to use a certain amount for a regular load, measure that amount rather than automatically filling the cap. The correct amount can vary depending on the load size, how dirty the clothes are, water hardness, and the detergent itself.

More detergent does not necessarily improve cleaning. Excess detergent can be difficult to rinse away and may leave residue behind.

Detergent residue can contribute to:

• Stiff or coated-feeling fabrics
• Odors caused by buildup
• Dingy-looking clothing
• Soap or detergent buildup inside the washing machine
• Skin irritation for some people

If your clothes are coming out with a strong detergent smell or a filmy feeling, try using less detergent rather than adding another rinse product.

Don’t Guess the Amount by the Cap

Laundry detergent caps can make it surprisingly easy to use too much. The recommended fill line may be much lower than the top of the cap.

Read the measuring lines carefully and use the amount recommended for your load. Some concentrated detergents require much less detergent than older formulas.

Adjust Detergent for Load Size, Soil Level, and Water Hardness

The right amount of detergent isn’t the same for every load.

Consider three things when measuring detergent:

Load size: A small load generally requires less detergent than a large load.

Soil level: Heavily soiled laundry may require more detergent than lightly worn clothing, but always stay within the detergent manufacturer’s recommended amounts.

Water hardness: Hard water contains minerals that can interfere with cleaning and reduce detergent effectiveness. If you have hard water, you may need to adjust the detergent amount according to the product instructions or use a detergent or laundry additive designed for hard-water conditions.

Washing Clothes in Soft Water

Soft water generally requires less detergent than hard water.

Using too much detergent in soft water can create excessive suds and leave more residue behind. If you have very soft water, follow the detergent manufacturer’s recommendations for adjusting the amount.

Washing Clothes in Hard Water

Hard water can make laundry more difficult to clean because minerals in the water can interfere with surfactants and contribute to residue.

If you have hard water, don’t simply keep adding more and more detergent. Check the detergent instructions for hard-water recommendations. You may also benefit from a laundry product specifically formulated to work with hard water.

If mineral buildup is a persistent problem, addressing the water hardness itself may help.

Don’t Overload the Washing Machine

Clothes need enough room to move through the wash water and detergent. When the drum is packed too tightly, the laundry may not clean properly because there isn’t enough space for the clothing to tumble, circulate, or agitate as designed.

Overloading can also make it harder for detergent and water to reach all the fabrics evenly.

A crowded washer can also increase friction between garments. Zippers, buttons, hooks, and other hardware can rub against other items and cause wear or damage.

Follow the washing machine manufacturer’s recommendations for load size rather than trying to fit as much laundry as possible into every cycle.

Should You Use HE Laundry Detergent?

If your washing machine is designed for HE detergent, use HE detergent. HE stands for high efficiency. HE washing machines use less water than traditional machines, so they are designed to work with detergents that produce fewer suds.

HE detergent is formulated to clean effectively while producing less foam. This allows the washer to tumble or agitate the clothing properly without filling the wash with excessive suds.

HE Detergent Is Not Just for Front Loaders

HE detergent is commonly associated with front-loading washing machines, but it is also used in many modern high-efficiency top-load washers.

Check your machine’s owner’s manual or the detergent compartment for the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Using the wrong type of detergent can result in excessive suds and may interfere with the washing and rinsing process.

Don’t try to turn regular detergent into HE detergent by simply using half the recommended amount. The formulations are different. If your machine requires HE detergent, use an HE product.

Where Should You Add Laundry Detergent?

Where you put the detergent depends on your washing machine.

Washing Machines With a Detergent Dispenser

Use the detergent compartment specified in your owner’s manual.

If your machine has separate compartments for detergent, bleach, and fabric softener, make sure you put each product in the correct compartment.

Do not fill a dispenser beyond its maximum fill line.

Top-Loading Machines Without a Detergent Dispenser

Older top-loading washing machines without detergent dispensers may require detergent to be added to the wash water before the clothes are added.

However, washing machines vary. Follow the instructions for your particular machine and detergent rather than relying on one method for every washer.

Using Powdered Laundry Detergent

Powdered laundry detergent can be an effective choice for everyday laundry. One advantage of powder is that it is generally easy to measure and can be economical for large amounts of laundry.

Some powdered detergents also contain ingredients that help with certain types of stains and soil.

Modern powdered detergents can be used in cold water when the product directions allow it. However, very cold water can make some powders dissolve more slowly.

If you notice undissolved detergent on clothing, check the detergent directions, make sure the washer isn’t overloaded, and consider whether the water temperature is appropriate for that particular detergent.

Always follow the product instructions for where and how much powder to add.

Using Liquid Laundry Detergent

Liquid laundry detergent is convenient and dissolves readily in water, including cold water.

Liquid detergent can be particularly convenient when you want to pretreat a stain before washing because many liquid detergents can be applied directly to washable stains according to the product instructions.

Liquid detergent is also easy to overuse because the measuring cap is often much larger than the amount actually needed.

Measure your liquid detergent instead of filling the cap automatically.

The amount you need depends on the detergent, load size, soil level, and sometimes water hardness. Follow the measurement lines and instructions on the bottle.

Using extra liquid detergent does not necessarily make laundry cleaner. It can instead leave more product behind and make rinsing more difficult.

Do Heavily Soiled Clothes Need to Soak?

Sometimes a presoak can help loosen heavy soil or certain stains before washing, but soaking isn’t necessary for every heavily soiled load.

For a stain that needs pretreatment, identify the stain and use an appropriate stain remover according to its instructions. Some products are designed specifically for soaking.

If you decide to presoak clothing, use a clean container or sink, the correct water temperature for the fabric, and a product that is safe for that particular material.

Don’t assume that soaking every garment overnight will produce better results. Some fabrics, dyes, finishes, and elastic materials may not tolerate prolonged soaking well.

For especially dirty laundry, the better solution may simply be the correct wash cycle, appropriate detergent amount, and a suitable stain treatment.

Laundry Detergent and Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, choosing a laundry detergent may require a little more thought.

Fragrance, dyes, preservatives, and other ingredients can bother some people. If your skin is sensitive to laundry products, consider a fragrance-free and dye-free detergent and avoid using more product than necessary.

Remember that detergent residue can remain on fabrics when too much detergent is used or when the washer cannot rinse effectively.

Laundry Detergent: What Really Matters

You don’t need to use a complicated collection of laundry products to get clean clothes.

For most loads, focus on these basics:

• Use a detergent appropriate for your washing machine.
• Use HE detergent if your machine requires it.
• Measure detergent instead of guessing.
• Adjust the amount for load size, soil level, and water hardness when the product instructions call for it.
• Don’t overload the washer.
• Use the correct detergent compartment.
• Choose a wash temperature appropriate for the fabric and detergent.
• Treat difficult stains before washing when necessary.
• Don’t assume more detergent means cleaner clothes.

Laundry 101: Part 5 – Using Laundry Detergent

The best way to use laundry detergent is to use the right detergent in the right amount for your washing machine and the load you’re washing.

More detergent isn’t better. In fact, using too much can make laundry problems worse by leaving residue behind and making clothes harder to rinse clean.

Once you get the amount right, don’t be afraid to experiment with powder versus liquid, different brands, or fragrance-free formulas to find what works best for your household. The detergent itself is only one part of getting clean laundry. Proper sorting, stain treatment, water temperature, load size, and the washing machine cycle all matter, too.

Hopefully this reference on using laundry detergents has helped, now let’s move on to Laundry 101: Part 6, Using Fabric Softeners.

Clothing and Laundry