The New York Times - Are you using too much dish soap?

A laundry detergent bottle cap, shown overflowing with blue laundry detergent.

Photo: Michael Hession

It’s easy to mindlessly portion out everyday essentials without stopping to wonder if it’s the right amount: A capful of laundry detergent. A squeeze of dish soap. A dollop of sunscreen.
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But using too much or too little of a product can yield lousy results. For example, using too much laundry detergent can cause residue buildup and make your once-soft wardrobe stiff over time. An average load of laundry requires just one tablespoon (not an entire capful!) to thoroughly clean your clothes.

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The right “serving sizes” for everyday household products→

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A little dish soap goes a long way

A bottle of Seventh Generation dish soap next to a blue sponge and a stack of teacups and saucers.

Photo: Michael Hession

We’ve found that the most effective way to hand-wash the dishes is to fill a sink with soapy water, using sometimes only as little as a teaspoon of detergent.

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The right dish soap—one that really works—can make a big difference, too. And not just for your dishes: We recommend using it to clean all sorts of things, from jewelry to stainless steel.

The dish soap in our kitchens→

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To keep your vacuum in good working shape, it’s important to keep up with basic maintenance, like clearing clogs and dealing with dirty filters.

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How to organize your pantry so it works for you

Here’s a step-by-step plan to organize your pantry at last—and keep it that way.

Plus: Our top-pick nonstick fry pan is on sale

Our favorite non-stick pan, the Tramontina 10-Inch Professional Restaurant Fry Pan on a tan background with a pink border.

Illustration: Dana Davis / Photo: Michael Murtaugh

We’ve flipped dozens of eggs, fried many pounds of hash browns, and whipped up countless crepes to find our favorite nonstick fry pan. With its classic flared-lip shape, slick nonstick coating, and comfortable handle, we think it’s a joy to use.

It’s on sale here with the on-page coupon→

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The New York Times - Are you using too much dish soap?

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