How Much Detergent to Use to Keep Your Washer Running Safely

Washers are powerful machines that help us spruce up everything from our gym socks to our favorite linen sheets, and laundry detergent helps boost that cleaning power. However, as the old saying goes, there can always be too much of a good thing: An excess of laundry detergent can actually be counterproductive.

It turns out that using too much detergent can prohibit the natural friction that laundry needs to go through to get clean, and over time, excessive detergent can damage your washer and dull the colors of your favorite shirt. However, it’s easy to correct this error and even save some money in the process. We’ll teach you how much detergent to use per load and how to tell if you’re using too much.

Why Too Much Detergent Can Be Harmful

Not only will using too much detergent leave your clothes dirtier, but it might also stain them or leave an unattractive residue. In addition, your washing machine might smell funky from leftover detergent and cause improper drainage of overly sudsy loads. 

Finally, you could damage your washing machine over time if you go overboard with the detergent. Excessive detergent can put extra wear and tear on the pump and motor, as the machine has auto-cycles built in to rinse off extra soap. Using a lot of detergent over a long period of time is a sure-fire way to ensure you’ll need a visit from a local washing machine repair pro.

How Much Laundry Detergent to Use

Calculating the correct amount of laundry detergent to use requires accounting for a few different factors, but the general rule of thumb is that 2 tablespoons of detergent per load is a  sufficient amount. This figure applies to up to 12 pounds of laundry (the average load is about 8 pounds). Anything over 8 pounds, however, might be overloading your washing machine, so be sure to know its load capacity and limits.

You’ll also want to adjust that amount based on these other determinants:

Detergent Concentration

Some detergents are 2X, 4X, or 10X concentrated. The higher the concentration, the more powerful the detergent. To further confuse you, different 2X detergent brands may list different recommended amounts. Try using the recommended 2 tablespoons for 2X detergent to start, scaling down if your clothes seem sudsy or stiff.

Extra-Dirty Laundry 

Rather than using more detergent to eliminate pesky dirt or tomato sauce stains, try pre-treating your linens. After pre-treatment, you should use slightly less detergent than you normally would; start with half the amount.

Water Softness 

Those with soft water can cut back to 1 or 1 1/2 tablespoons of detergent per load. If you’re not sure if you have soft or hard water, you can test your water or look out for a few tell-tale signs of hard water, like mineral stains or issues with your home appliances. If you don’t have any of these issues, you may have soft water.

Machine Type

High-efficiency (HE) washers don’t need nearly as much detergent. Start with 2 teaspoons of 2X concentrated detergent, cut that in half for 4X, and bring that amount down to 1/4 teaspoon for 10X. 

Type of Detergent 

With an HE washer, use the same amounts for powdered detergent that you would liquid, and start with only one detergent pod if you use those. While the pods are convenient, they don’t allow you to adjust the amount of detergent you use and could cause the problems we listed above. If you have a standard washer, start with 1/4 cup of powdered detergent and scale up to 1/3 cup if necessary.

Signs You’re Using Too Much Detergent

If you’re still unsure if you’re using too much detergent in your weekly laundry chores, here are a few signs:

Stiff Clothing/Linens

If your laundry items feel stiff or starchy, there’s likely still soap on them—proof that you’re using too much detergent. 

To get rid of excess detergent on your clothing and linens, fill a tub with hot water. Next, add 1/4 cup of borax, 1/4 cup of washing soda/sodium bicarbonate, and 1/2 cup of detergent. Soak the laundry for a few hours. Finally, run the laundry through your washing machine on the rinse cycle without adding any detergent. Dry as usual, and enjoy your deeply cleaned clothing.

The Washer Smells Bad

Too much detergent can leave a residue, encouraging the growth of bacteria and mold. You might also notice a slimy residue on the drum. If you discover sliminess or odor, be sure to disinfect and sanitize your washing machine properly.

Signs of Suds

If you see suds in your machine or on the washer door after the wash is done, you’re using more detergent than your machine can properly rinse away. Lower your detergent amount and consider running your machine on a rinse cycle.