Can I put washing powder directly in the drum?

Author: Oceane Bogisich III  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 4, 2026

How to Use Powdered Laundry Detergent in Different Machines. Top loader: Dose detergent directly into the drum before adding clothes. Front loader: Add detergent into the detergent drawer.

Can I put washing powder straight into the drum?

Yes, the detergent can be put in the drum with your clothes. If you're using powder it helps to run some water into the powder before adding clothes because powder will sometimes stick to clothes if it isn't diluted first.

Can you put powder directly in the washing machine?

Yeah you can, but it needs to be evenly distributed. Also if you set the machine to do a pre-wash rinse, it wil rinse away the washing powder before the wash cycle.

Can you put detergent straight into a washing machine?

When using the drawer on your washing machine to add detergent, liquid and powdered detergent go in the same main compartment. The difference arises when it comes to adding detergents to the drum. Liquid detergent can go into the drum with no problem, but this should be avoided with powder.

Is it better to put laundry liquid in drum or drawer?

' The correct way to use liquid detergent If you pour the liquid detergent into your washing machines Soap drawer; most of the liquid detergent could go astray in the machines soap drawer compartment and Sump hose, completely bypassing the drum and your laundry – reducing the effectiveness of the liquid detergent.

Is it OK to put detergent into the drum of your washer? 

What happens if you put detergent in the wrong compartment?

Don't put detergent in the fabric softener drawer

For one thing, it would miss the actual wash cycle. Putting detergent in the wrong compartment can also result in detergent residue remaining on the fabric, which can cause skin irritations, according to the IKW.

Does it matter where you put detergent in the washing machine?

1 Main wash compartment: Detergent for the main wash, water softener, pre-soaking agent, bleach, and stain remover. 2 Softener compartment: Fabric softener (do not fill higher than the line indicated by MAX). 3 Prewash compartment: Detergent for prewash or starch.

Can you put laundry cleanser in the drum?

Laundry Cleanser should be used instead of fabric softener; place it in the compartment normally reserved for the latter.

Can I put detergent in a bleach slot?

Liquid or powdered color-safe bleach may be added to the detergent dispenser, along with the same type of detergent, liquid or powdered.

How to put detergent in a washer without a dispenser?

The short answer to your question is simply put a cap full of liquid detergent in your washer as it's filling up with water. The caps on liquid detergent plastic bottles are made precisely for that purpose. Just fill the cap from the bottle and dump it in.

Does washing powder clog the machine?

If it builds up too much, it can clog up your machine, meaning your detergent is not dispensed properly and leaving your clothes unwashed. To avoid washing powder residue, just follow the steps below and watch the video.

Where do you put dry powder in washing machine?

Add the Detergent to the Washer

Top-load washers: Add the powder detergent directly to the washer drum before adding water or laundry. Front-load washers: Add the powder detergent to the dispenser.

Can you put powder directly in washing machine?

You can use powder detergent in a front-load washer, however, you will add it directly to the washer drum and not to the detergent dispenser. Make sure to pour the recommended amount of powder detergent based on your load size.

Do you put powder in a drum clean?

Run a drum cleaning program

To see if your machine has this feature, check the control panel for a 'drum clean' setting – or take a look at your user manual. Make sure the drum is empty before you start. And you can add a washing machine cleaner or a bit of washing powder to help things along.

Is powdered laundry detergent better than liquid?

Liquid detergents dissolve more easily at lower temperatures, making them suitable for energy-efficient cycles and machines. On the other hand, powder detergents can offer more cleaning power per kilogram, potentially providing a more cost-effective solution for heavy-duty washing needs.

Can washing powder go straight in the drum?

Your two main options when using powdered detergent are: Place it directly into the compartment drawer of your washing machine – you should consult you washing machine manual to learn which is the correct compartment to use. Place the powder in a mesh bag directly in the drum to allow it to dissolve quicker.

Can you put laundry detergent straight into the drum?

Yes, you can put your detergent in the drum, but in a certain procedure such as using a mesh or dosing ball. However, there is no reason for you to pour your detergent directly into the drum if you have a detergent dispenser.

Can I put powder detergent in the drum of a front load washer?

In front-loading washing machines, simply add the powder directly to the drum before adding clothes. This will ensure that water can easily reach the powder, helping it dissolve. It also prevents powder from getting caught in the folds of your clothes during the wash cycle.

Do you put washing detergent in a drum or drawer?

In a front-loading washing machine, put washing powder in the main wash compartment of the drawer, typically the largest section marked with "II".

What is the rule of detergent in washing clothes?

As discussed previously, the detergent's job is to help pull away the dirt and grime from the clothing and rinse it out with water. The actual "wearing" out of clothes is more likely due to the rubbing of clothes in the washing machine (i.e. the agitation), not from the detergents themselves.

Is it bad to put detergent directly on clothes?

Although this can vary a little depending on the type of washing machine you have, or sometimes the type of liquid detergent you're using, more often than not liquid detergent works best when applied directly to clothes, says Hugo Guerrero, certified cleaning technician.

Why are my clothes still dirty after washing?

A full or partial blockage in the filter or pump will affect your washing machines ability to drain water from the drum. This will lead to poor rinsing results and poorly washed clothes as a result. Before you start a programme, clean the filter and remove any foreign objects which could be blocking the impeller.

Does washing powder ruin clothes?

As laundry detergent builds up on clothes, fibers can become more coated with residue, causing the fabric to become stiff. Beyond the impact on clothes, using too much laundry detergent in your wash may also irritate skin.

Previous article
Do screens need to be cleaned?
Next article
Can you use ADT without a contract?