Adjust detergent amount based on load size

Scale your detergent dose to match the actual load: use the full recommended amount for a large load, reduce by a third for medium loads, and halve it for small loads. Most detergent labels provide dosage tiers for different load sizes.

Why It Works

Detergent works by surrounding and lifting soil particles from fabric. Too little detergent for a large load means insufficient surfactant to handle all the dirt, leaving clothes under-cleaned. Too much for a small load creates excess suds that trap dirt and redeposit it as residue on fabric and inside the machine.

Tips

• A large load fills the drum about three-quarters full; a small load fills it about one-third
• HE machines use less water, so overdosing is even more problematic
• When in doubt, use slightly less rather than more — you can always rewash, but residue builds up