FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Fun Trivia
Home: Questions and Answers Forum
Answers to 100,000 Fascinating Questions
Welcome to FunTrivia's Question & Answer forum!

Search All Questions


Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims.

Archived Questions

Goto Qn #


Does it really make a difference if the detergent is put into the washer before the dirty clothes rather than after it?

Question #55290. Asked by Buck540.

MrsAce
Answer has 3 votes
MrsAce
20 year member
513 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
My daughter came home from a nite out with friends and asked me how I did the laundry. I told her that I start the water and then put in the liquid laundry detergent...then I asked her why. Apparently, she was with her friends at a club that had a black light on the dance floor and everyone on the dance floor had splotches on their clothing under the light, with the exception of my 2 daughters.

So I'd say it matters. Seems the detergent stays in the clothing rather than thoroughly rinsing out.

Feb 18 2005, 2:17 PM
avatar
picqero
Answer has 1 vote
picqero
20 year member
237 replies avatar

Answer has 1 vote.
Most modern automatic machines require the detergent to be put into a separate dispenser from which it is taken at a pre-set time in the washing programme. Alternatively, it is placed in a plastic ball type dispenser which is placed in with the washing, and slowly released during the programme. The washing machine should not be stopped part way through a washing cycle, and cannot normally be stopped anyway, except by an over-ride procedure.

Feb 18 2005, 4:30 PM
avatar
MaggieG
Answer has 1 vote
MaggieG avatar

Answer has 1 vote.
Do you have a toploading washing machine, MrsAce?

Feb 18 2005, 4:36 PM
jbean
Answer has 4 votes
Currently Best Answer
jbean
21 year member
184 replies

Answer has 4 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
An appliance salesman once told me that powdered detergent goes in after the clothes, liquid detergent goes in before the clothes. I put the liquid in first so I can rinse the measuring cup in the water stream as the washer fills. (I hate gunky measuring cups...)

Feb 18 2005, 5:43 PM
MrsAce
Answer has 2 votes
MrsAce
20 year member
513 replies

Answer has 2 votes.
Yes Maggie...I understand that front load washers are more efficient and use less detergent, so in that instance it may not matter. For those of us who replace our washers every 15 to 20 years...I have at least eight on mine.

Feb 18 2005, 5:56 PM
avatar
MaggieG
Answer has 2 votes
MaggieG avatar

Answer has 2 votes.
Why I asked is that with a top loader you have the option with the detergent and water. With the frontloader that most people in the UK have (a space saver - you can get a worksurface over the top of it and most British kitchens are quite small) you can't choose. If you don't get your detergent in at the right moment, it gets left behind. Picquero is obviously talking about front loaders.

Feb 18 2005, 6:03 PM
MrsAce
Answer has 1 vote
MrsAce
20 year member
513 replies

Answer has 1 vote.
I hate to post on this again, and feeling a lot like Heloise, Jbean, I read your post. I also have very sensitive skin, I wouldn't say allergies, but I do feel changes as far as washing clothes are concerned. I used to use powdered and it does matter whether or not you put it in first or on top of the clothes. It clumps in the water. If you put it in first, you at least have a chance to swish it so it dissolves. It will definitely clump if you put it in on top of the clothes (which was most parents way of washing with the black light scenario) due to humidity or the water hitting it unevenly. If you're using a top load washer it matters. Since I have no experience with a front load, I can't say.

Feb 18 2005, 6:03 PM
SusanFromMa
Answer has 3 votes
SusanFromMa

Answer has 3 votes.
It absolutely makes a difference. When you put the detergent into the washer with the water, you allow the detergent to begin to activate. It is much like washing dishes, if you put the pots and dishes into the water then add the soap, the soap doesn't have as much time to loosen up the dirt.

I alway put the detergent into the washer first.

Also years ago, I remember reading in Consumer Reports that when they tested the different detergents, they put the soap in with the water, and let it start working, then added the dirty clothes.

Feb 18 2005, 6:18 PM
free email trivia FREE! Get a new mixed Fun Trivia quiz each day in your email. It's a fun way to start your day!


arrow Your Email Address:

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

Related FunTrivia Quizzes

play quiz What Difference Does it Make?
(Chemistry)
play quiz One Can Make A Difference
(Holocaust)
play quiz "TOW The East German Laundry Detergent"
('Friends' Season 1)

Return to FunTrivia
"Ask FunTrivia" strives to offer the best answers possible to trivia questions. We ask our submitters to thoroughly research questions and provide sources where possible. Feel free to post corrections or additions. This is server B184.