Using too much laundry detergent is bad for your cloths and bad for the environment. How much is too much? If you are using as much as the bottle recommends, you are using too much! Think about it. they want you to use as much of their product as possible. You really only need about a quarter to half of what the bottle says, depending on how dirty your cloths are. Using less will also cut down on the musty smell your washer (especially front load washers) gets. Also try adding vinegar instead of fabric softener. Works just as well and is better for the environment. And, no, your cloths won't smell like vinegar.