What causes your clean clothes to smell still bad? Using too much detergent. You only need about 2 tbsp for loads weighing up to 12lbs. And 1 tbsp is enough for loads weighing around 8lbs. Consistently using too much detergent will cause a layer of foam to form on the fabric, which will prevent it from being rinsed away. Ultimately, it is the bacteria in the clothing fibers that are responsible for the odors. These microorganisms love to grow in moist environments—including clothing. The wetter,