Are You Using Excess Laundry Detergent?

Before the days of high-efficiency washers and ultra-concentrated detergents, my family found a way to reduce our detergent use by 50%. How did we do it? And, perhaps more importantly, why did we do it?

I discovered on an elementary school field trip to a local environmental group that using only half the recommended amount of laundry detergent is more than enough to clean clothes.

The environmentally-conscious child I was went home and proclaimed the end of excessive laundry detergent use, which led to unexpected benefits. By cutting our detergent use in half, my family reduced the suds that polluted our waterways. Skin rashes vanished, and I found relief in the softer scent of my detergent (now, I exclusively use unscented formulas). Plus, using less detergent saved us money.

With the advent of high-efficiency front-loading washing machines, detergent use dropped significantly (since too much soap can damage the machines). However, despite the smaller cap, you’re likely still using more detergent than necessary.

So, just how much laundry detergent should you be using?

Tips and Tricks for Using Less Laundry Detergent

1. Use the amount of laundry detergent suggested for a light load of laundry, even when you’re washing a full or heavy load.

2. No more than half. Never use more than half of the maximum recommended amount, even for loads with heavy soil.

3. Mark the cap. The recommended use lines can sometimes be hard to spot. Take a black permanent marker and draw a line at the halfway point, so you always know the correct amount to use.

Bonus Tip: If you haven't yet switched to an eco-friendly, natural laundry detergent, now is the perfect time to do so.

Cara Smusiak writes for Naturally Savvy.com, sharing tips on living a more natural, organic, and environmentally-friendly lifestyle.