Does adding more detergent clean better?
Thereof, does adding more laundry detergent better than recommended work?
For exceptionally soiled clothes, you will be much better off presoaking the load than adding extra detergent. If you do decide to use more detergent, add only 50 percent more per load.
Consequently, is it bad to use too much laundry detergent?
Too much detergent could be to blame. Per CNN, “Excess suds can hold dirt pulled from clothes and get caught in areas that won't always rinse clean, like under a collar, leading to bacteria buildup.” So, not only will using extra laundry detergent not get your clothes cleaner, it could be making them dirtier.
As a general rule of thumb, you should only use about a tablespoon of laundry detergent per regular load size. (The measuring cup that comes with your liquid laundry detergent is about 10 times larger than the actual amount of laundry soap needed.) Never pour liquid detergent into your machine without measuring first.