Soap Smarter, Not Stronger: Why Less Laundry Detergent Is More Effective

It’s easy to assume that more soap equals cleaner clothes. But when it comes to laundry, that extra scoop of detergent might actually do more harm than good. At Wet Cat Laundromat, we want your clothes to come out purr-fectly clean every time, without wasting money or damaging your fabrics.

Here’s why less detergent is better and how it can save you time, money, and wear on your laundry.

🧴 1. Too Much Soap Leaves Behind Residue

Using too much detergent creates excess suds that don’t fully rinse out. This leftover residue can make your clothes feel sticky, dull, or stiff, and it can trap odors and bacteria rather than remove them. Over time, that build-up may even cause your clothes to look dirtier faster.

Tip: Most washes only need 1 to 2 tablespoons of detergent, especially when using high-efficiency machines like ours.

💧 2. Our High-Efficiency Machines Work Better With Less

At Wet Cat, all of our washers are high-efficiency models that use less water but deliver a deeper clean. These machines are designed to work with low-sudsing detergent, which means using too much actually makes them less effective. In fact, excess soap can confuse the sensors and cause longer cycles or weaker rinses.

Using less detergent improves the performance of every load and helps your laundry come out cleaner, faster, and better rinsed.

👕 3. Reduce Skin Irritation and Allergens

Excess detergent doesn’t just affect your clothes. It can stick to fabric fibers and cause skin irritation, especially for babies, people with sensitive skin, or anyone who wears tight-fitting clothes like gym gear or uniforms.

Cutting back on detergent, or switching to fragrance free or gentle formulas, helps your clothes stay skin friendly and fresh.

💰 4. Less Soap = More Savings

One of the easiest ways to save money on laundry is to simply use less detergent. When you stop overpouring, you stretch each bottle much further and reduce the need for extra rinse cycles. This means fewer trips to the store, fewer maintenance issues, and cleaner clothes in fewer washes.

At Wet Cat, using less soap also means you save time and money at the machines. Fewer re-washes, shorter drying times, and no wasted detergent equals a lower laundry bill.

🛠 5. Protect the Machines (And Your Wallet)

Extra soap leads to build-up inside washers and dryers, clogging parts and reducing machine life. While we clean our machines regularly, too much detergent can still cause long-term wear and tear that results in breakdowns and downtime.

When everyone uses the right amount, our machines stay in great shape for longer, and your laundry experience stays fast and smooth.

✅ Quick Tips to Soap Smarter

• Use high-efficiency (HE) detergent

• For regular loads, stick to 1 to 2 tablespoons

• Avoid using fabric softener on towels

• Add an extra rinse if you suspect soap residue

• When in doubt, less is better

Clean Clothes, Cleaner Conscience, More Money in Your Pocket

By using less detergent, you get more value out of every wash. Your clothes last longer, your skin stays happier, and your laundry costs go down. That’s what we call a win-win.

📍 Visit Wet Cat Laundromat today and wash smarter
📱 Download the Fascard app to track your loads, check machine availability, and enjoy rewards like our Double Your Money promotion

Wet Cat Laundromat, Purr-fectly clean, without wasting a drop.