Why too much detergent is waste

Short answer: Detergent that does not rinse out makes clothes neither cleaner nor softer. It stays in the fabric, makes it stiff and costs money for no benefit. A smaller dose often gives a better result.

More is not better

Many people add a little extra to be safe, because it feels as if clothes will come out cleaner. But detergent only works up to a point. Once the dirt is loosened and rinsed away, extra detergent does nothing. It becomes a problem instead, because the surplus has to go somewhere, and it often ends up in the fabric.

Water can only dissolve so much

If there is more detergent than the water can carry, the rest stays in the fabric. This affects everything in the men's range. Modern machines use fairly little water, so the limit is reached quickly. The surplus does not rinse out properly, even when the cycle finishes and the clothes look clean.

Residue makes fabric stiff

A film of dried soap binds the fibres together and makes fabric feel hard. You notice it most on thick items such as bamboo joggers for men. The fabric loses its soft feel and is almost papery when dry. Many people think their clothes are worn out, but often it is just detergent residue.

Residue can cause odour

Soap residue in fabric can hold on to moisture and dirt. That creates a breeding ground for odour, which appears when clothes warm up while worn. Some try to fix it with even more detergent, but that only makes it worse. Clothes with residue can smell less fresh than clothes washed with a suitable dose.

It costs you twice

You pay for the detergent that is not used and for the extra rinse needed to remove it. Halve the dose, also when you wash bamboo sweatpants for men. A pack then lasts twice as long, and you save the water and power for extra rinses. All it takes is a lighter hand with the cap.

The machine suffers too

Surplus detergent does not only settle in clothes but in the machine as well. It can build up in the drawer, the rubber seal and the drum. Over time this can cause deposits and a bad smell in the machine itself. Clean the drawer and seal now and then, and use less detergent.

How to remove residue

If clothes already have residue, wash them twice without detergent and with an extra rinse. The water gradually dissolves the old soap and rinses it out. Feel the fabric afterwards. If it is softer, it has worked. Then go back to a smaller dose so the residue does not build up again.

Find the right amount

Start with half of what the pack recommends and see how clothes come out. If they are clean and soft with no soapy smell, you have found a good amount. Only very dirty clothes or hard water need more. Use the measuring cap so you are not pouring by eye, and stick with it.

Frequently asked questions

How much do people typically waste

Many use twice as much as needed, especially when they pour by eye instead of using the measuring cap.

Can you tell if there is residue

Yes, the fabric feels papery when dry, and there may be foam left in the final rinse.

How do you get it out

Two washes without detergent and with an extra rinse. After that, a smaller dose keeps residue from building up again.