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A bottle of washing powder. Squeeze a little detergent. Bunch of sunscreen. It is easy to assign these measurements almost unconsciously, and rarely stop to wonder whether the quantity of these daily necessities is appropriate. Although in many cases this may not be a big problem, in some cases, using too much or too little product can produce bad results. This is why we dive into the depths of various Wirecutter guides to find out which of our guesses are completely out of date. Here are the recommended "service" sizes for common household items that surprised us the most.

The recommended amount of toilet cleaner on the back of the bottle varies from brand to brand, but Wirecutter update writer James Austin says that about 4 to 6 ounces is enough to effectively clean the toilet. However, it can be a bit difficult to measure a specific amount of cleaner, because most toilet cleaners have an interesting-looking bottle designed to make it easier to apply the cleaner under the rim of the toilet. James said that in order to save the trouble of measuring, squeezing the bottle around the bowl is usually more than you need.

Chances are, you haven't applied enough sunscreen-if so, you are not alone. A 2014 study showed that most people usually use a quarter to half of the sunscreen they should use to achieve the advertised sun protection factor (SPF). To get the full protection of the SPF listed on the bottle, you need to use 2 mg per square centimeter of skin. This is equivalent to a small glass or 1 ounce of sunscreen, suitable for the nearly naked body of an average-sized adult. If you get sunscreen from a spray bottle, it is difficult to tell how much sunscreen you are using, especially on windy days. Manufacturers of spray sunscreen usually recommend placing the bottle 4 to 6 inches away from the skin, but Wirecutter found that you need to spray the sunscreen closer to your body to apply it effectively (even then, you still need to rub it up to On the skin). You also need to spray for two minutes in a windless (but well ventilated) area to promote SPF.

We said it before, and we say it again: stop using so much washing powder. Although a bottle of detergent is recommended on the back of almost every detergent bottle, guest writer Sarah Bogdan and senior guest writer Liam McCabe say this is too much. Over time, detergent residue will accumulate on your clothes. If you use too much detergent, your soft wardrobe will become stiff. You only need 2 tablespoons each time to effectively clean your clothes, which is suitable for large loads of 12 pounds or more. The average laundry weighs about 8 pounds and requires less detergent-1 tablespoon is enough to clean your clothes thoroughly. "When it comes to washing powder, a little bit goes a long way," Sarah said.

If you keep squeezing small pieces of detergent onto the sponge while washing dishes by hand, you may have used too much detergent. A more effective way to complete housework is to fill the sink with soapy water. We have found that sometimes you only need to add a teaspoon of detergent to a basin of water to create a healthy foam on it. Wirecutter staff writer Anna Perling recommends starting with the least dirty dishes and keeping the soapy water for as long as possible. Once the water turns brown or loses foam, drain it and replenish it with another teaspoon of soap.

Authors: Sarah Bogdan and Leigh Krietsch Boerner

We tested 17 detergents and found that Tide Ultra Stain Release is best for removing all kinds of stains.

Go ahead, Woolite — After 35 hours of washing in 40 fabric samples, after 22 different washes, Soak defeated the competition and became the best exquisite detergent.

Authors: Tammie Teclemariam and Marguerite Preston

Even the manufacturers of the thinnest and most expensive goblet recommend washing wine glasses in the dishwasher.

Cleaning your quilt may be a daunting task, but proper cleaning every few years should keep it noble and fresh. This is the correct approach.

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