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

Author: Madisen Cremin Jr.  |  Last update: Saturday, July 4, 2026

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.

Should liquid detergent go in the drawer or 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.

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.

Can you put liquid detergent directly in a drum?

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.

Where to put liquid detergent in a washing machine?

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.

Which Laundry Detergent is Best?

Which compartment for liquid detergent?

Main wash compartment

The main wash compartment is (you've guessed it) the main section of the drawer. It's generally located on the left and is the most frequently used compartment. It's also the largest compartment. This is the place to put your regular washing detergent - either liquid or powder.

Where do you store liquid detergent?

Laundry detergent should always be stored up and out of reach of children and pets in a cool, dry area. While powdered detergents are shelf-stable, they can be ruined by moisture. Liquid detergents break down over time, losing their potency, a process that's accelerated by freezing cold or blistering hot temperatures.

Can I put liquid detergent in the drum of he washer?

Can you pour your liquid detergent directly 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.

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.

How do you use liquid laundry detergent 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.

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.

How much liquid detergent to use in a top loader?

The right amount: It's typically 1½ ounces for a normal load of laundry. Instead of going by the faint lines of a detergent measuring cup, you can use a shot glass, which is about 1½ ounces, to be more precise. For larger loads or very soiled clothing, use twice as much detergent.

Can I pour liquid 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.

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.

Do you need a dosing ball for liquid detergent?

Anyone who has used a washing liquid dosing ball will know just how useful they are. Not only do they allow you to precisely dose the right amount of washing liquid for your laundry (saving on detergent waste), but they also allow you to pre-treat stains.

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.

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.

Where to put liquid detergent in washing machine top load?

We've put together a guide to help you but here's a tip: you won't go wrong by adding the detergent to the bottom of the drum before you add the dirty laundry.

How to do laundry with liquid detergent?

How to use liquid detergent
  1. Pre-treat stubborn stains with a small amount of liquid detergent applied directly the the fabric and rubbed in gently.
  2. Add your clothes to the machine and measure liquid detergent with the dosing ball.
  3. Place the dosing ball on top of clothes in the drum.
  4. Select your wash cycle and temperature.

What is the best laundry detergent?

The Best Laundry Detergent
  • Top pick. Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Top pick. Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Runner-up. Persil Original Liquid Detergent Everyday Clean. ...
  • Best for... Tide Pods Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Best for... Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent.

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.

Do laundry detergent sheets work?

Not only are laundry detergent sheets as effective as traditional detergents, but they also offer additional advantages over powder and liquid laundry detergent. In this section, we'll discuss the many reasons you should consider switching to laundry detergent sheets today.

Where do you store liquid soap?

Proper storage in a cool, dry place away from moisture and sunlight can extend the shelf life of liquid soap, making it important for maintaining effectiveness.

Does liquid laundry detergent go in first or last?

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. This helps evenly distribute the detergent in the water before it hits your clothes. Remember that the nicer you are to your washer and dryer the longer they'll last.

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