Adjust detergent amount based on load size

Scale your detergent to match the actual load: use the full recommended dose for a large load, reduce by about 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 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 soil 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 causes more problems than in standard machines
• When in doubt, use slightly less rather than more — residue builds up over time, but you can always rewash