Do you put detergent in the drum or drawer?

Author: Dr. Jacinto Batz V  |  Last update: Saturday, October 11, 2025

Liquid detergent can go into the drum with no problem, but this should be avoided with powder. Adding powder to the drawer ensures it will dissolve before hitting your clothes to prevent powdery marks and white stains. Adding it to the drum may result in an uneven wash and oily residue.

Is it better to put liquid detergent 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.

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.

Do you put detergent in a drum clean?

  1. The water temperature for Drum Clean+ is set to 70°C, which cannot be changed.
  2. Make sure the drum is empty.
  3. Do NOT use any cleaning agents or detergents for cleaning the drum. It can cause damage the drum of the washing machine - this applies to Tub Clean as well.

Where do you put the detergent in a drum washer?

'If you must use the detergent drawer for liquid detergents, I recommend putting the liquid detergent in the main wash section of the drawer,' says Johanes Godoy, laundry and cleaning expert. 'Look for a flower or II symbol to find this section.

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

Do I add detergent for tub clean?

Remove any clothing in the wash drum. Open the dispenser. Add liquid chlorine bleach, powder cleaner or tub cleaner. Don't add any laundry detergent or fabric softener when using TUB CLEAN.

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.

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.

Which drawer is for liquid detergent?

This is the section labelled II (or sometimes 2) and is the one that you'll need to use for your doses of liquid or powder if you're not a capsule convert. It's also the section you'll need to use if you're adding a stain remover to your wash.

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.

What damages washing machine drum?

Metal objects such as coins, keys, and screws can damage the inner drum and outer tub of your washing machine.

Do you put Tide powder in the drum?

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 laundry detergent go in the drum?

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

What is the best way to use 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.

Why is liquid detergent better than 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.

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.

How many cups of laundry detergent should I use?

For 2X liquid laundry detergent, use 2 tablespoons or 1/8 cup. Use a standard measure or mark the correct amount on the detergent bottle cap with a permanent marker to prevent overdosing. If you have soft water, use less—about 1 1/2 tablespoons of liquid laundry detergent. For untreated hard water, use the full amount.

What not to do with detergent?

Do not reuse containers of laundry detergents or bleach. Discard these containers after you use the cleaning product. Clean all spills and drips of detergents or bleach immediately. Keep the laundry room locked so that kids can't access it.

Should you put washing liquid in the drum or drawer?

Dosing directly into the drum helps you to achieve outstanding results.

Where should I put liquid detergent?

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.

Should you put laundry detergent in first or last?

It is much better to do multiple loads than to cram everything into one load and ruin the washer. Put the soap in first: Putting soap on top of the dirty clothes means that only the clothes that have soap on them will get clean.

How often should I clean my washing machine?

It's generally recommended to clean your washing machine once a month, especially if you want to prevent musty odours from forming inside the drum and keep your clothes smelling great.

Do you just put detergent in the washer?

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.

What not to use to clean a tub?

Clean the tub thoroughly and rinse everything. Then dry the bath properly with a soft cloth to prevent limescale formation. Do not use aggressive products such as acid, chlorine, ammonia, bleach and abrasives. The latter create fine scratches, which we obviously want to avoid!

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