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.
‌

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.

‌

The right “serving sizes” for everyday household products→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

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.

‌

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→

More advice from Wirecutter

Two containers with kale and chard growing under indoor lights.

A low-cost way to start seeds indoors

Instead of shelling out for pricey grow lights, we’ve found that these $20 shop lights work just as well.

All the cordless stick vacuums we tested for this guide, with pet hair, candy, cereal, and dirt and other messes on the floor.

Yes, you need to clean your vacuum cleaner

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.

Our pick for best dry-food storage containers, Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers, filled with food.

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→

Thanks for reading.

You can reach the Wirecutter newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You are receiving this email because you signed up for

Wirecutter’s Newsletter.

Getting too many emails from us?

To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, manage your email preferences.

Wirecutter, Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue. New York, NY 10018  

Privacy Policy | California Notices | Terms of Service | Contact Us

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

Older messages

Wednesday Briefing: Indonesia is voting today

The portable charger we keep on us

Tuesday Briefing: Israel strikes Gaza to rescue hostages

Monday Briefing: Pakistan’s stunning election results

The one thing our kitchen editor won’t travel without

You Might Also Like

What A Day: Florida Yes Men

This soft-sided luggage is very cute

Bigotry Is Not the Answer to Donald Trump

Wednesday Briefing: Trump’s team of loyalists

Another cable news star goes the independent route

We Were Built For This Moment

Let There Be Light

☕ Gift guides, unwrapped

Trump’s victory is a green light for genocide in Gaza

Amperity names new CEO | Starform raises $6M | Apple sets smart cam sights on Ring and Wyze