A few years ago, I was lazy when it came to laundry. No sorting. No measuring of laundry detergent. But I remember one time when I took my laundry out from the machine only to find that it felt grimier than before I washed it. This grossed me out so much that I was determined to clean up my act (no pun intended).
I learned that using too much laundry detergent is often one of the most common mistakes people make when doing laundry. Personally, I can admit to being guilty of doing this!
Overusing detergent can leave your clean clothes with a detergent residue. Not to mention that too much laundry detergent can also damage your washing machine and the environment. It’s an easy mistake to make, but the good news is that it is also easily fixed! Let’s get into it.
You might think that there is no such thing as too much laundry detergent. More detergent = more clean right? Sadly, no. Overusing detergent leads to some surprising issues that can affect the cleanliness of your laundry and the effectiveness of your washing machine.
One of the biggest issues of using too much soap is detergent buildup on your clothes from not getting thoroughly washed out. For a standard, medium-sized load, you only need 2 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent for an effective clean. This is simply because most washers don’t use enough water and spin cycles to get rid of the excess detergent.
Improper rinsing of the clothes can lead to skin irritation due to the lingering detergent residue. If you have children or sensitive skin (or children with sensitive skin), this can become especially problematic.
Residue buildup can also happen in the washing machine itself. Over time, as the machine flushes the dirty water and detergent out of the basin, excess detergent can begin building up in the mechanics of your washer, leading to malfunctions down the road. To keep your washing machine working smoothly for as long as possible, it’s important to ensure you’re not overdoing it with your laundry detergent.
Finally, when all is said and done, too much detergent is just money down the drain. Trust me, you really don’t need that much to get a good clean. Instead, I encourage you to take the time to properly measure your detergent to prevent wasting money. Better yet, try switching to pre-measured laundry detergent sheets to take the guesswork out of the whole process!
There are some common signs that indicate if you’re using too much detergent in your washing machine. Here’s what to look for:
Though this is not an exhaustive list, these signs are the most common indicators that it is time to adjust your detergent usage.
I don’t have enough fingers to count how many laundry myths I’ve heard over the years! I want to debunk some of the common ones I’ve heard so that we can all get back to doing laundry the right way.
We’ve already covered this one, but I think it’s worth repeating. At the end of the day, more detergent leads to dirtier clothes. Using the proper amount of laundry detergent (if not, less than the suggested amount) will ensure your clothes get thoroughly clean and rinsed free of detergent. Otherwise, you might end up with detergent residue on your clothes.
Those suds lingering in your washing machine at the end of a cycle aren’t a sign of cleaning power. Instead, they’re a sign you’ve overused on the detergent. When the laundry is done, you’re looking for a suds-free basin to ensure that your clothes aren’t filled with detergent residue.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that fabric softener is not necessary! In fact, a reliable, concentrated laundry detergent does an excellent job by itself. I guarantee your clothes will come out of the wash smelling fresh even if you forgo the fabric softener. Fabric softeners can also be harmful to some fabrics since they cause the fibers to erode and deteriorate faster.
Before we go further, I want to introduce you to my new laundry obsession: laundry detergent sheets. Unlike liquid or powder detergents, which need to be precisely measured before use, detergent sheets are pre-portioned. That way, all you have to do is add one sheet to the laundry machine before starting the wash cycle—no measuring required!
I love that detergent sheets are pre-measured; that way, I avoid spills caused by measuring liquid or powder detergent. These sheets also ensure you don’t waste any detergent because you’re never over or under-using.
Other factors that drew me to detergent sheets are that they’re super lightweight, space-saving, and eco-friendly. They come packaged in a slim, recyclable box that fits in the smallest of corners. I will readily say that I’m thrilled I no longer need to haul those massive detergent jugs around!
I was not ready for the amount of time that would disappear in my day when I had kids. I was incapable of getting anything done around the house, including laundry. Laundry detergent sheets made it a little bit easier to get this necessary household chore out of the way. Because the detergent is pre-portioned, I can load the washer and add the detergent all while holding a little one on my hip!
I also really like that many laundry detergent sheets make non-toxic, hypoallergenic products easy to use on a daily basis. HeySunday is my new favorite detergent because of its strong, enzyme-based cleaning power without some of the harshest chemicals you find in traditional detergents. I highly encourage busy families to give the HeySunday laundry detergent sheets a try if you’re looking for an eco-friendly and convenient laundry option.
If you want to get the most out of your laundry routine, here are some tried and true tips I recommend to everyone. These go beyond detergent usage to support every part of your laundry routine!
My top 4 tips for getting the best results from your laundry:
If you find yourself frustrated with your clothes not getting fully cleaned in the wash or the high price of laundry detergent, I highly encourage you to take the less is more when it comes to laundry detergent. Using less detergent is not only better for your clothes and washing machine, but it will ensure your saving money each month, too.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, laundry detergent sheets have truly changed the game for me. If you’re looking for a way to streamline your laundry process, while also making it greener, then I encourage you to try laundry detergent sheets at least once.
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“My sheets have never felt cleaner. I’m hooked.”
“Finally — detergent that actually works and doesn’t take up half the shelf.”
“Hey Sunday WORKS. Great for stains, and no buildup in the washer.”
“We switched from liquid. The scent is amazing and it saves us money.”
“I’ve got total control with HeySunday. I’ll never go back to powder.”
“My sheets have never felt cleaner. I’m hooked.”
“Finally — detergent that actually works and doesn’t take up half the shelf.”
“Hey Sunday WORKS. Great for stains, and no buildup in the washer.”
“We switched from liquid. The scent is amazing and it saves us money.”
“I’ve got total control with HeySunday. I’ll never go back to powder.”