You're probably using too much laundry detergent — here's how much you need to clean your clothes

Prices are accurate at the time of publication.

• Too much laundry detergent is bad for your clothes and washing machine.
• Excess suds make it less likely your clothes will get clean and can cause buildup in your washer.

The bubbles you see forming through your washing machine's window may not actually mean the clothes inside are getting clean. Counterintuitively, too much laundry detergent can leave clothes grubbier.

There are several factors that influence how much laundry detergent you should use, from how many clothes you're washing to whether you have hard or soft water.

Here are some guidelines for figuring out how much detergent to use and how to tell if you've been using too much.

How do I know I'm using too much laundry detergent?

Too many suds (including some left on the door after the cycle is done), a slimy washer drum, a musty smell in the machine, and a white residue on clothing are all signs you're using too much detergent, said Shawn Ashby, Whirlpool Laundry Brand Manager.

While it might seem like more means cleaner when it comes to detergent, too much can actually be counterproductive. "Washing machines clean clothes in part by allowing clothes to rub against each other; this friction helps work dirt and stains out of fabric," said Ashby.

If there's too much detergent in the water, there will be less friction between the clothes, and they might not get as clean. "The suds can trap dirt and redeposit that on the wash," said Ron Shimek, president of appliance-repair company Mr. Appliance.

"In addition to leaving a residue on clothing, overusing detergent can cause faded colors and even attracting more dirt," said Ashby. Over time, buildup in the washer's drum can lead to poorer cleaning performance, too.

Signs you're using too much detergent

• Oversudsing
• Washer drum feels slimy
• Washer smells musty
• Clothing has a white residue

How much liquid laundry detergent should I use?

If you're not sure if you've been using too much detergent, start with these amounts then adjust down or up if you notice too many suds or your clothes not getting clean.

"The recommended dosage can depend on a variety of things like the detergent concentration level, load size, soil level, and water hardness," said Ashby.

Load size

A typical load of laundry in the US is about 8 pounds, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. The amount of clothing this represents will depend on the items. Jeans weigh more than T-shirts, for example.

You'll want to look at your washer's instructions manual to make sure you're not overloading it. Even some large-capacity washers suggest sticking with 8-pound (or less) laundry loads.

Detergent concentration

Concentrated detergents can come in 2X to 10X formulas. It can be hard to know exactly what that means, but you will need to use less detergent than non concentrated formulas.

Further complicating the issue is that different brands recommend different amounts per load. For example, a 53.5-ounce bottle of Method can wash 66 loads (about 0.8 ounces of detergent per load) while an 88-ounce 2X-concentrated All bottle can wash 58 loads (1.5 ounces per load).

If you start with the detergent maker's recommended dose and notice oversudsing or dingy clothes, try cutting the amount of detergent in half and adjusting from there.

Soil level

While it's tempting to add more detergent to dirtier loads, it's probably more effective to pretreat them first instead. If you do, you may actually want to use a bit less detergent to compensate for the cleaner you already added to the clothes.

Water hardness

Ashby suggests using a bit more detergent if you have hard water. If you have soft water, you may want to use a bit less.

Machine type and cycle

Front-load washers typically require high-efficiency detergent that suds less because the machines use less water. These detergents are labeled with an HE symbol. "They use less water than a standard washing machine," said Shimek. An extra-large load might absorb too much water. "The detergent won't be able to dissolve, and that can leave stains and the white residue on the wash," he said.

If you're doing a quick cycle, like delicates, you may also want to use a bit less detergent because the cycle may spend less time rinsing the cleaner out.

For machines that auto-dispense detergent, they typically use between 0.75 and 1.5 ounces per 8-pound load, based on four brands we looked at.

The amount of detergent you need depends on many factors, but overuse is so common that you should probably use less than you think you need.

How much powdered laundry detergent should I use?

"The same principles apply for precise measuring when you use a laundry detergent powder," said Ashby. You'll want to adjust based on the size of your load, water hardness, and soil level.

Again, you'll want to pay attention to dosing, as some detergents we looked at called for between 1.1 and 1.5 ounces per load.

With powdered detergent, temperature may play a role as well. "Make sure that it does dissolve effectively in cold water," said Shimek. If you notice white residue on your clothes, you may want to switch to liquid detergent for cold washes.

What about laundry pods?

Laundry detergent pods are convenient, but they don't allow you to control the dosage and cost more per load than liquid or powder options. A pod usually contains a single dose meant for an average-size (8-pound) load. Shimek recommends them for average-size and average-soil loads, which can limit their usefulness.

They typically contain too much detergent for smaller loads, and adding two or three to larger loads could be far too much. Start with one, and there's a good chance your clothes will still be clean and free of soapy residue.

Best laundry detergents

Our guide to the best laundry detergents provides options for all types of machines and preferences, from powder to pods.

• Best overall: Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent, $12.79 on Amazon
• Best pods: Tide Pods 3 in 1 Turbo, $32.57 on Amazon
• Best natural liquid: Puracy Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent, $14.99 on Puracy
• Best powder: Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder, $18.99 on Amazon

Insider's takeaway

There's a good chance you're using too much detergent. Even if you're following the manufacturer's instructions, the use of pretreatments, soft water, and load size could contribute to a problem with oversudsing.

You can use the dosing recommendations as a starting point, but it might be worth cutting the amount in half, especially if you've noticed buildup on your clothes, bubbles on the door after the cycle has ended, or a musty smell coming from the washer.