Can You Put Detergent Directly In The Washer?

Can you put detergent directly in the washer?

The short answer to whether you can put detergent directly in the washer is yes, but that answer comes with a few important points.

First, many people are wary of putting liquid detergent directly on clothing as it can leave behind residue after washing is complete. However, that issue does not typically occur as long as you pour your liquid detergent directly into the drum before your clothes.

As is often the case, using detergent in your washer is all about knowing how to do it right. The best way to find out how to do that is to read the use instructions for the detergent you have.

If, for whatever reason, the manufacturer says it is not permissible to put the product directly in the washer, follow that. Otherwise it should be fine.

Can you put washing powder directly in the drum?

Just like how you can put liquid detergent in a washer, you can also put washing powder directly in the drum of a washer as well.

The best way to do that is to put your powder into a mesh bag first. There may also be some benefit to doing this, as washing powder requires water to dissolve. Placing powder in the drum may help this happen earlier in the washing cycle.

Why using the detergent compartment is better

While it is alright to put detergent directly into the drum of your washer, it’s not always the best approach. The obvious alternative is to use the detergent compartment that is built into your washer.

Using the detergent compartment is better in some cases because it helps dilute your detergent. As I already mentioned, some detergents can leave behind detergent residue on your clothes.

Using the compartment is a great way to make sure that your detergent is diluted enough to come in contact with your clothing. When you put your detergent in your detergent compartment, the compartment will release the detergent into the drum at the right time so that it mixes with the water.

That way whether you use powder or liquid detergent, you won’t need to worry about stubborn stains on your clothes after washing.

Pros and cons of pouring detergent directly in vs the detergent dispenser

Now that you know a few of the ways that you can put your detergent in your washer, let’s sum up the main advantages and disadvantages of pouring detergent directly in vs. in the detergent dispenser.

Putting your detergent in the dispenser ensures that it will not sit on your clothing for too long before the water enters the drum. This cuts down on staining. The disadvantage of using the tray is that your detergent may clog the inner workings of your machine over time.

On the other hand, pouring your detergent directly in could lead to some staining if you put your clothes in first. However, in most cases, this approach allows your detergent to dissolve sooner in the washing cycle and prevents clogging in your detergent dispenser system.

Is it bad to put detergent directly on clothes?

Although it is alright to put your laundry detergent directly in your washer, that does not mean you should put your detergent directly on your clothes. Instead, it’s better to put your detergent in first, then put in your clothes. This is especially true for liquid detergents.

When you pour a liquid detergent onto your clothes after they are already in the dryer, the detergent will have time to sit on your clothing before the water dissolves it. During that time, the detergent may leave behind a film or residue that remains on your clothing even after the cycle ends.

No one wants to have their clothes come out with stains that were not even there when they went in. However, there are also times when a small application of detergent can help remove stains.

But to do this, you must keep the detergent on the stain and nowhere else. So make sure that you do all you can to put your detergent and clothes in the washer in the correct order.

What is best to use – powder detergent or liquid detergent?

Now that we have covered the topic of where to put your detergent in your washer, let’s address another important question:

Many people wonder whether washing clothes is better using powder detergent or liquid detergent. In myopinion, the answer is clear that liquid detergent is preferable.

Since liquid detergent is already a liquid, it can work well in wash cycles of all temperatures. The same isn’t true for powder detergent. Being a fluid, liquid detergent passes through your washer without causing any clogs more easily.

How to use washing powder in a washing machine

If you decide to use washing powder, make sure to read the label for best use instructions. After that, you’ll need to know where to put your washing powder. If you have a top loader washer, you can put your detergent in the drum before you put the clothes in.

If your washer has a drawer, put your detergent in there.

How to use liquid detergent in a washing machine

With liquid detergent, you have the choice of putting it in the detergent compartment or the drum. If you choose the second option, make sure you put your clothes in second to avoid staining.

Do laundry detergent pods work better than liquid?

Detergent pods are highly popular because they are very convenient to use. However, that doesn’t mean that they necessarily work better than liquid detergent.

They’re about the same as liquid washer detergent in terms of how well they work.

How much laundry detergent should you actually use?

Although your detergent likely came with a measuring cup, that cup may be misleading you into using more detergent than you need.

In most cases a tablespoon of detergent will be enough to clean your clothes for a regular load. However, most people use significantly more detergent than that and end up buying far more than they truly need in the long run.

Always check the cleaning detergent recommendations. For lightly soiled clothes or just everyday normal wear (washing your clothes to keep them fresh) you can use less. In that case, as little as 1/2 of a bottlecap or detergent scoop for a full load is if often fine.

What happens if you wash laundry without detergent?

Washing your laundry without detergent probably won’t do much to keep your clothes clean, although it can sometimes freshen them with proper drying afterwards.

However, you might be surprised to learn how little detergent you actually need to get your clothes smelling fresh once again. So while washing clothes without detergent is not all that effective, just a small amount will get the job done.