You’re Probably Using Way Too Much Detergent

Why you shouldn’t use too much laundry detergent: Because most detergents these days are concentrated, you’re wasting your money by using more than necessary. All that excess detergent is also being dispersed into our water systems and causing water pollution, says Rich Handel, who leads CR’s testing of detergents and whose professional expertise has made him the laundry and dishwasher whiz at home. (He’s proud to say he’s trained his teenage children to do laundry and dishes the proper way.)

Extra tip: Detergent isn’t the only thing you shouldn’t overload in your washer. You should also be careful not to stuff it with too many clothes because you want the laundry to have room to circulate, Rich says. 

Dishwasher Detergent
The right amount: For single-dose packs and tabs of detergents, it’s pretty straightforward. As the name implies, it’s a single dose per wash. 

For gel and powder detergents, you can follow the line in the dishwasher detergent reservoir that shows the recommended amount. In general, it’s better to go by the recommendation of your dishwasher manufacturer than the detergent manufacturers so you don’t overdose, Rich says.

Why you shouldn’t use too much dishwasher detergent: It won’t make the dishes any cleaner and you’ll just be wasting detergent. Also, it could cause a residue of detergent to be left on your dishware, says Larry Ciufo, who has tested dishwashers for CR for over 15 years. And in the worst-case scenario, it could clog up the workings of your appliance.

Extra tip: If you want your dishes to come out clean, one of the important things to do is to load them properly. Always put cups and bowls facing down, for instance. Otherwise, they will fill up with water. Load the biggest items toward the sides and back of the basket so they don’t block the smaller items from getting clean, Rich says. And check out these tips on how to load your dishwasher properly.