Can you put liquid detergent directly into the drum?

Author: Kaley Friesen  |  Last update: Saturday, September 20, 2025

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.

Can I put liquid detergent straight in the drum?

Yes, you can put laundry detergent directly into the drum of your washing machine, especially if you're using a front-loading machine. Many people do this to avoid issues with detergent dispensers clogging or not dispensing properly. However, here are some tips to keep in mind:

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

Yes it does matter. It depends upon a liquid detergent you're using. If you use persil small & mighty , you should put the detergent into the drum inside the dosing ball . Other liquid detergents may need placing into the detergent drawer which is usually separated into 3 compartments.

Can I put liquid detergent straight into the washer?

Yes, there's no big reason not to - but - I've found that you get usually get better results by mixing the detergent in some water before loading it with clothes. It helps to avoid any spotting on them. Or you can pour some in directly under the water running into the machine. Hope this may help you.

How do you put liquid detergent in a drum?

For liquid detergent, you have two options:
  1. Main wash compartment. You can pour liquid detergent directly into the same compartment where washing powder goes.
  2. Dosing ball or cup. Some washing machines allow you to place a dosing ball filled with liquid detergent directly in the drum with your clothes.

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

Can I use liquid detergent without a dispenser?

Johanes Godoy, laundry and cleaning expert at Liox Clean agrees: 'I suggest adding liquid laundry detergent directly to the washing machine drum instead of the detergent drawer. This approach ensures the detergent dissolves properly and spreads evenly throughout the wash.

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.

Do you need a dosing ball for liquid detergent?

The correct way to use liquid detergent in your washing machine is to pour the liquid into a dosing ball and place on top and the back of the laundry; this will prevent the liquid from settling in your machines hoses.

How to wash clothes with liquid detergent without washing machine?

Fill up a bucket or sink with lukewarm water, add a bit of laundry detergent, then submerge your garments. Make sure, however, that they're suited for prolonged soaking—leather, wool, and silk items are typically no-goes.

Where to add liquid detergent in a washing machine?

Second compartment

Unlike the first compartment, this is the one that you'll use the most. Also known as the main wash compartment, this is usually labelled as '2' or 'II', and this is where you put your laundry detergent when you clean your clothes.

Is it better to use liquid laundry detergent or pods?

Liquid Detergent Leaves Behind Less Residue

Even if hard water isn't an issue in your home, liquid detergents are less likely to leave residue on clothes and linens than other formulas. It's possible that pods and sheets won't fully dissolve in the washer, creating stubborn detergent stains on fabrics.

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

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.

Does liquid detergent clog up washing machine?

Significantly overloading the appliances with detergent can eventually lead to too much soap buildup, causing clogs in pipes and drains. Use the correct amount of detergent to avoid this issue.

Is it OK to put washing powder straight into the drum?

Place the powder in a mesh bag directly in the drum to allow it to dissolve quicker.

When to pour liquid detergent in a washing machine?

If your garment is heavily stained, pour on the tough stain before otherwise just pour the laundry detergent into the drawer of your washing machine.

Can you put laundry liquid in a drum?

Dosing directly into the drum helps you to achieve outstanding results. In fact, if you pour the liquid into the drawer, the detergent could get lost in the washing machine pipes before reaching the drum, reducing effectiveness.

How many cups of liquid laundry detergent should I use?

Measure Your Detergent

Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup of liquid detergent, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of powder detergent, or one pod for a medium load as a general guideline. The use of too much detergent, on the other hand, might result in sudsing, which can harm your washing machine and leave residue on your clothes.

Why doesn't Persil come with dosing ball?

Detergent giant Persil has switched its bottles to 100 per cent recyclable plastic and has ditched the controversial 'dosing ball'. The plastic ball, a small bowl detaching from the main bottle, had come under fire from environmentalists on social media for adding to the landfill.

Is liquid laundry detergent bad for your washing machine?

Using too much can harm your washer – When used correctly, liquid laundry detergent is safe for your washing machine. However, when you get in the habit of using too high of a dose in your laundry loads it can negatively affect your washer, causing buildup that can harbor mold and clog pipes.

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 it matter which compartment I put detergent in?

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.

Should I pour liquid detergent directly into the washer?

Most of the time, you will put the detergent directly in the drum. If you use a product like Persil, make sure you use the handy dosing ball to measure the right dose. You can often use liquid detergent as a pre-treatment by rubbing a small amount into tough stains before washing.

Is liquid detergent better than Dry?

Powerful cleaning agents that can be included in powdered detergent formulas, but not liquid forms, work to help remove mud, grass or clay stains. Liquid detergent is best used for grease or oil stains on your day to day items, because of its ability to help release and break down stains in fabrics.

Where to put the liquid detergent in a washing machine?

When using a top-load machine, add the detergent directly to the drum. For front-load machines, add the detergent directly to the detergent section of the dispenser. Detergent should be stored out of reach from children and pets and should always be kept in its original packaging.

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