For many Canadians, laundry is a never-ending chore. Yet, despite its constant presence in our lives, most of us are making critical mistakes that prevent our clothes from getting truly clean. This revelation comes from a conversation with Patric Richardson, known as The Laundry Evangelist, on HuffPost's "Am I Doing It Wrong?" podcast.
The Wrong Detergent and the Too-Much Problem
One of the most surprising takeaways from the interview is that we are likely using the wrong kind of laundry detergent and far too much of it. Richardson, who runs laundry camps and stars in HGTV's "The Laundry Guy," advocates for a specific and often hard-to-find product: true laundry soap.
"I'm always going to use laundry soap ... It's soap that's made [specifically] for laundry and then it's grated or ground," Richardson explained. He calls it the cleanest and most gentle option. If traditional laundry soap isn't available, his next recommendation is detergent formulated for baby clothes, which is also designed to be gentle on fabrics.
He strongly advises against using pods. "I don't like pods because I don't like that you can't control the amount," he said. The central issue, however, is quantity. Richardson states that you only need about two tablespoons of detergent for a standard load. Using an entire pod, or even the capful most bottles suggest, is massive overkill.
"A bottle of laundry detergent might last you a year because you only need a couple of tablespoons for your clothes to come out clean," he noted.
Why Less Detergent is Scientifically Better
Richardson uses a simple analogy to explain the detergent dilemma: think of it like salt in a recipe. A little enhances the flavour, but a cup ruins the dish. The same principle applies to laundry soap.
There's a scientific reason behind this. Detergents contain surfactants, compounds that trap dirt and stains and lift them from clothing into the wash water. These are then rinsed away. If you use too much detergent, the surplus surfactants cannot be fully rinsed out. Instead, they settle back into the fabric, bringing the dirt and grime with them.
"So more detergent means your clothes are actually dirty," Richardson concluded. Over-soaping doesn't just waste product; it actively counteracts the cleaning process.
Beyond Detergent: More Laundry Secrets
The podcast episode delved into other laundry pitfalls. Richardson shared why he never uses bleach and offered a clever hack for eliminating static cling in the dryer using a common pantry item. The discussion underscored that many ingrained laundry habits are doing more harm than good.
For those looking to perfect their laundry routine, the "Am I Doing It Wrong?" podcast offers a treasure trove of advice. The show's new third season, along with past episodes, tackles a wide range of life's perplexing tasks, from tipping etiquette and managing credit card debt to online dating and cooking tips from experts like chef Jet Tila.
Listeners can subscribe on their preferred podcast platform or watch episodes on YouTube. The hosts also invite submissions for topics to investigate at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com.
