Myth, more detergent gives cleaner clothes

Sep 12, 2026

Short answer: Beyond a certain amount, clothes do not get any cleaner. The extra soap stays in the fibres, making the fabric stiff and more likely to smell. The right dose gives the cleanest result.

Where the myth comes from

It seems logical that more soap removes more dirt. If clothes are very dirty or smell, it is tempting to add a little extra. But detergent does not work that way. It has to dissolve in the water to do its job, and once the water cannot take any more, the rest simply stays in the clothes.

There is an upper limit

Water can only dissolve a certain amount of soap. The rest settles in the fabric and is not properly rinsed out. You end up paying for detergent that does no good and lands in the fibres instead. See our most popular men's styles, which are washed often and benefit from the right dose.

Residue holds on to odour

Soap residue in the fibres attracts dirt and holds odour between washes. That is one reason clothes can smell soon after you put them on, even when freshly washed. The residue also makes the fabric less open, so sweat is not moved away as easily. See bamboo sweatpants for men.

Stiff fabric is a sign

If clothes feel stiff or a little hard when dry, it is often a sign of too much detergent. Many try to fix that with fabric softener, but that just adds another layer. The better answer is to cut back on soap. After a few washes, the fabric softens again on its own.

The dose is on the pack

The amount depends on water hardness and how dirty the clothes are. The pack usually gives a dose for soft, medium and hard water. Find out what kind of water you have and use the matching amount. For lightly soiled clothes, use less. See the bamboo sweatshirt for men.

Do not overload the machine

An overloaded machine washes worse, however much detergent you use. Clothes need room to move in the water so the soap can get into the fabric and be rinsed out again. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to fit a hand between the laundry and the top of the drum.

Removing old residue

If you have used too much detergent for a long time, residue may be left in your clothes. Wash them at forty degrees with no detergent or very little, and add an extra rinse. Repeat a few times if they still feel stiff. You will often notice the fabric getting softer.

A simple washing routine

Use the dose on the pack and adjust for water and dirt. Wash at forty degrees, do not fill the machine completely and add an extra rinse if in doubt. Hang clothes to dry with air around them. It keeps clothes clean, soft and fresh.