Just Say No to the Suds

Less is more when it comes to washing dishes, clothing and the human body

By Anna Sachse
CTW Features

From the kitchen to the laundry room to the shower, most Americans tend to have a heavy hand with the cleansers. But not only is using excess detergent or shampoo like pouring both limited resources and your hard-earned money down the drain, when it comes to actual cleanliness, more simply is not more.

According to Sandra Steward, dishwasher expert for the Whirlpool Corporation’s online Institute of Kitchen Science, the most serious consequence of using too much detergent in your dishwasher is etching that can occur when the detergent doesn’t have enough soil to work on and begins to attack the surface of your dishes. “This shows up on glasses as cloudiness or a rainbow-type effect that isn’t reversible,” Steward says. (For the same reason, don’t rinse your dishes before loading; do remove baked-on food and large chunks, but let the dishwasher do its job on the rest of the soil.)

That said, it is equally important to make sure you aren’t using too little detergent, adds Martin Wolf, the “Science Man” for Seventh Generation, Inc. While both water force and a high temperature play a big part in the cleaning process, detergents are still needed for certain sticky soils such as eggs and grease. In addition, detergents prevent temporary filming and spotting on glassware, especially in hard water, says Wolf.

But despite the fact that modern detergents have become increasingly concentrated (and modern dishwashers have become more efficient, requiring less water and thus less detergent), most consumers still tend to overdo it, frequently filling both of their machine’s detergent cups, Steward says. To avoid spotty situations as a result, be sure to read the dosing instructions in the dishwasher’s instruction manual and on every new detergent container. Purchase products that come in single-dose powder packets, gel packets or tablets, or consider using an appropriately sized measuring spoon.

To prevent detergent buildup-related problems like odor-causing bacteria and mold from developing in the dishwasher itself, Steward suggests using a dishwasher/garbage disposal cleaner monthly.

Thanks to a continuing distaste for single-dose laundry detergent technologies and the fact that tiny bottle cap measurements are often difficult to read in dimly lit laundry rooms, Americans are especially prone to over-sudsing their clothes. Filling the cap can waste over half the possible “loads” in a bottle of concentrated detergent, and the surplus suds can lead to leaks and clog drains. In addition, excess detergent left on fabric can cause skin irritation, fade colors and leave clothes stiff or dingy, and even attract more dirt, Wolf says.

But not only is it important to use the right amount of detergent, notes Tre Wright, an engineering expert with the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, you also need to make sure you’re using the correct product for your machine – most top-load washers require traditional detergent, while high-efficiency machines (all front-load machines, and top-load machines that are clearly marked “high-efficiency”) require high-efficiency (H.E.) detergent. “It’s similar to how different cars require different fuel,” Wright says.

Once a consumer has found the proper product for the machine, experts say to consider using a measuring cup that exactly matches the recommended amount, or use a marker to highlight the measurement lines on the cap.

But when it comes to personal “detergents” like soap/cleansers and shampoo, the actual amount of product used is less important than the type of product and how frequently it is used.

Using traditional alkaline soap such as Ivory can strip necessary oil (sebum) from your skin and raise its pH, leaving it dry and irritated, warns Jeffrey Benabio, MD, a San Diego-based dermatologist and founder of TheDermBlog.com. Instead, look for bars, liquids, foams, creams and wipes that utilize non-soap surfactants and added moisturizers. For those prone to acne, they may need to use these cleansers twice a day, Benabio says; otherwise, rinse the face with water in the morning and then use a product like Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser or Dove Cool Moisture Bar at night to remove make-up, sunscreen and accumulated oil should suffice.

And hair washing should happen even less.

Like facial cleansers, many modern shampoos have ditched the soaps that deplete beneficial oils and leave behind residue. Now they feature special formulations of synthetic detergents and silicones that clean hair, help retain moisture and even aid in repair, Benabio says.

However if hair doesn’t feel greasy or heavy and the scalp isn’t itchy, feel free to skip a few days – or more. Hair may regain a little natural luster and the never-full-enough wallet could retain a few extra bucks.

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