Too much washing powder and what it does to fabric

Short answer: Overdosing leaves soap in the fibres. That makes laundry stiff, grey and smelly. Dose for your water hardness and load size.

Why more is not better

Detergent works by binding soil and then rinsing away. If there is more soap than the water can rinse out, the rest stays in the fabric. There it binds soil from the next wash and gradually turns laundry grey.

How to dose correctly

The pack gives three doses by water hardness. Look up the hardness where you live and use the right one. If the machine is only half full, use less than stated, because the figure assumes a full drum.

Signs you are using too much

Stiff laundry after drying, white streaks on dark fabric, a soapy smell on freshly washed clothes and foam in the drum at the end of the cycle are all signs. See bamboo t-shirts for men.

How to put it right

Run a wash with no detergent and an extra rinse. Repeat on thick items. Then reduce the dose and use an extra rinse programme as standard if your machine has one. See bamboo towels and bamboo bedding.

Frequently asked questions

How much less should I use

Start by halving the dose with soft water and lightly soiled laundry and see the result.

Is liquid detergent better

It rinses out more easily, but it more often contains softening agents that coat the fibres.

Does bedding need more

No, but load the machine less, because large items need more room to rinse.