You want clean clothes. So it makes sense to think: more detergent = more clean.

But if you’ve ever had:

  • towels that feel stiff,
  • activewear that smells “fine” until you sweat,
  • whites that look a little gray,
  • or a washer that gets funky fast…

there’s a good chance the problem is simply too much detergent.

Let’s fix it without turning laundry into a chemistry class.

Why too much detergent backfires

When detergent is overdosed, especially in high-efficiency (HE) machines that use less water:

  • it may not rinse out fully
  • residue can trap soil and odors
  • buildup can accumulate in the washer over time

The result is a cycle where you add more detergent to fight the effects of… too much detergent.

The calm, practical rule: follow the label, then adjust

Start with what the detergent manufacturer recommends.

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) emphasizes using products as directed and highlights that laundry results depend on multiple factors (soil level, water temperature, mechanical action, and proper product use). The most reliable baseline is still: measure.

A simple measuring approach

1) Normal load, normal soil: use the label’s standard dose
2) Small load / lightly soiled: use less
3) Large load / heavily soiled: use the label’s higher dose (not “pour until you feel better”)

If you have hard water, you may need adjustments—again, follow the detergent guidance.

How to tell you’re using too much

Look for these clues:

  • Suds you can see during an HE cycle (HE should be low-suds)
  • Clothes feel waxy or stiff after washing
  • Towels are less absorbent
  • A “detergent” smell that won’t go away (that can be residue, not freshness)
  • Washer smells between loads

The 7-day detergent reset (easy mode)

Try this for one week:

  • Cut your detergent dose by ~25–50%
  • Add one extra rinse if your washer has it
  • Don’t use fabric softener on towels

At the end of the week, notice:

  • Do towels feel more absorbent?
  • Does your washer smell better?
  • Do clothes feel “lighter” and less coated?

If yes, you found your sweet spot.

What about pods?

Pods are convenient, but they’re a fixed dose. If you often do small loads or lightly soiled loads, pods can be more detergent than you need.

If you love pods:

  • reserve them for larger loads
  • use liquid/powder for small loads so you can scale the dose

Want a “cleaner” detergent choice?

If you’re trying to avoid certain ingredients, the EPA’s Safer Choice program labels products that meet its standard and provides a searchable database you can filter for laundry products.

This doesn’t mean “everything else is bad”—it’s just a helpful tool for comparison.

Sources

  • American Cleaning Institute (ACI) — laundry education and product-use guidance: https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes
  • EPA Safer Choice — program overview and product search database: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice and https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/products