More soap doesn't necessarily make things cleaner.
Most people use too much detergent when running their clothes washers or dishwashers, according to this New York Times article.
It turns out that dishwashers require far less water than they did in previous decades --- and therefore require way less soap. Detergents are usually more concentrated, also.
Since less soap is required to get the gunk off your plates, adding too much soap makes the machine work harder.
The same is true for ...
... washing machines.
Too much soap not only wastes the product but also may encourage mold and mildew growth in your washer, the NYT article states.
But it's an easy mistake to make, because the measuring caps on liquid laundry detergent and the measuring scoops on powdered varieties are notoriously hard to read. Some people may just fill up the cap or scoop to the brim.
Do you have any tips for keeping your appliance running smoothly? Please share in the comments below.
(photo: Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)