If it's a top loading washer, then it's perfectly fine to put the detergent in first and let it dissolve with the water running before putting in the clothes. To get the clothes as clean as possible, don't fill the washer more than 2/3 full, loosely filled.
Finally, which goes first: the detergent or the clothes? It all depends. If you have an HE front-loading washer, it should have a special compartment in which to pour the detergent. If you have a regular top-loading machine, it's best to fill your washer with water first, then add your detergent, then add your clothes.
Directly into the water at the start of the wash. Add detergent before putting clothes in.
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.
Pour detergent in the dispenser or, if there isn't one, directly into the tub before adding clothes. Always follow the instructions on the packaging when measuring. If your washer is High-Efficiency (HE), only use HE detergent. Learn more about HE detergent with this quick guide.
If your washer doesn't have a dispenser, pour the detergent inside the drum. Do You Pour Detergent Directly on Clothes? Yes, you can pour liquid detergents directly into your laundry. However, this is usually ideal for liquid detergents.
Liquid detergent requires the highest amount – usually two tablespoons, give or take, per load, or two teaspoons if you have a high-efficiency washing machine. With many powder formulas, the recommended amount is about a quarter of a cup.
Washing machines have always had soap dispensers to place the detergent in. For most people this is the best place for it. However, if you have problems with it not getting flushed down properly it might be better to try placing it inside the drum instead.
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.
If you accidentally forget to put laundry detergent into your machine before starting it, washing clothes at high temperatures may remove some water-soluble stains. However, the odour will still remain, and it may even intensify as the clothes dry because you haven't used any agents to remove them.
Instead, use this order to distribute detergent best: clothes, then water, then soap. This isn't necessarily a blunder. Most items that say “dry-clean” can be hand-washed and air-dried. This includes natural fibers, such as linen and most silks.
If it's a top loading washer, then it's perfectly fine to put the detergent in first and let it dissolve with the water running before putting in the clothes.
You won't destroy the machine or your clothes, so relax. The different compartments are necessary because the machine uses them at different times in the cycle when they do the most good.
People don't typically dispose of cleaning products - they use them up. Empty packages can then be recycled or discarded with other household waste. Unused amounts of cleaning products can generally be safely disposed of down the drain or in the trash.
If you really want to avoid concentrated detergent contact, let the machine fill a bit before adding the clothes. You almost certainly will stain the clothes if you do that. Concentrated detergent is very caustic, and you shouldn't put it on clothes directly.
For starters, you want to make sure the laundry soap actually gets on the clothing. "You should put the soap in as the top loader is filling with water, so the soap is disbursed throughout," says Sacha Dunn, founder and CEO of Common Good, a soap and cleaning supply company.
Most often, the white residue you see on clothes after washing them is detergent or fabric softener that hasn't been thoroughly washed away. This could occur because too much was added to the drum or there are issues with how the cycles run.
A second rinse bath produces a much cleaner final product by rinsing off the soil that is redeposited during the first rinse. Often times, the second rinse tank includes a heated facility water inlet which constantly overflows the second rinse tank with small amounts of water to ensure water cleanliness.
Pre-soaking helps the stains to come lose and be removed more easily. Simply fill your washing machine, bucket or tub with warm water and then add your detergent and clothes. Allow the items to soak overnight for optimal results.
They probably recommend that so that the detergent has plenty of time to dissolve in the water and avoid staining or discoloring your clothes. The drum that holds your clothes rotates through a larger drum where the wash and rinse water is held.
DON'T: Pour Directly on Fabric
Fabric softener works wonders on compatible fabrics, but they work best when diluted in water during the rinse cycle. So, you should never pour the softener directly on the clothes as it can cause stains and prevent them from getting thoroughly cleaned.
It is not necessary to mix powdered detergent with water. You can place the powder directly into the washing machine's soap dispenser or into the drum itself.