Using Too Much Laundry Detergent Causes More Problems Than You Think

It's easy to assume that more detergent means cleaner clothes, but it doesn't actually work that way. Though essential, detergent is just one component of how a laundry machine washes clothes. Using too much of it can cause more harm than you think. Overusing detergent is one of the main things that everyone gets wrong when doing laundry. That's because it can be tricky to figure out how much you actually need, so oftentimes, we end up using more than necessary. However, measuring the correct amount of detergent is essential to protect your clothing, prevent costly repairs to your machine, save money on household expenses, and avoid harm to your skin.

There are many factors to consider when deciding how much detergent to use. The type of laundry machine that you own, the size and soil level of the load, the kind of soap that you use, and even the quality of your home's water could influence your measurement. For example, you may be able to add more soap if the load is especially dirty or oversized. You may also increase the amount if your home has hard water, as the added minerals may reduce the effectiveness of your detergent. High-efficiency washing machines use less detergent and work best with HE-specific laundry products. Let's take a closer look at the harmful consequences of using too much laundry detergent and how to prevent it. 

Being heavy-handed with your laundry detergent can do more damage than you think. Not only is it bad for your clothing and your washing machine, but it could also cost you more in utility bills. If you're using more detergent than necessary, you'll likely begin to notice that your clothes come out stiff or coated in sticky powder.  Over time, this leftover residue could trigger skin irritation and conditions like contact dermatitis. Contrary to what you may think, extra detergent will not get your clothes cleaner; in fact, it will do the opposite. Too much soap could interfere with the cleaning process and create an excess of suds, trapping the bacteria it was supposed to remove. That's why cutting back on laundry detergent might be the best thing for your clothes. Using too much soap could also cause your clothes to feel wetter when you remove them from the machine, which means more time spent in the dryer and, in turn, higher electricity costs.

Excess suds will also wreak havoc on your laundry machine over time. They prevent your machine from draining effectively, which causes the soap and stagnant water to become backed up inside the drum and other components. Not only will this cause significant wear and tear, preventing your machine from doing its job efficiently, but the excess moisture could also create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow on the rubber gasket. To avoid using more soap than necessary, always check the measurement guides on your bottle to find out how much laundry detergent you actually need per load.