Can You Put Detergent In The Fabric Softener Dispenser?
In the old days, you had to know when to add the soap, bleach, and fabric softener if there was any invented at the time. Nowadays the washing machine will do it all for you if you let it. The only thing you need to know is which compartment you need to place which laundry cleanser.
Can you put detergent in the fabric softener dispenser? Yes, you can put detergent in the fabric softener dispenser but it is not advisable that you do. Not because you will harm your machine but because the soap will be released at the wrong time and you may have to extend your laundry time correcting your mistake.
To learn more about this topic just continue to read our article. it helps relieve your mind when simple mistakes take place when you are doing your laundry. Putting fabric softener in the laundry soap dispenser just means you have to rewash your clothes.
Detergent in Softener Dispenser 101
Can You Put Detergent in the Fabric Softener Dispenser?
You can put detergent in the fabric softener dispenser but by doing that you have changed your wash cycle to a rinse and your last rinse cycle to your wash cycle. When that happens, you will have to reset your machine so that it will rinse the clothes properly before you take them out of your washing machine.
It is not a big laundry crime. More of a nuisance than anything else. Unless you like washing and rewashing your clothes it can spoil your day to some degree. This is a mistake that just about everyone does at one time or another.
So do not feel bad when it occurs. Just correct it and adjust your schedule accordingly. If you really feel bad about doing it, don’t tell anyone. let the mistake slide effortlessly into the past.
What Happens When You Put Detergent in the Fabric Softener?
Nothing serious, that is for sure. If you put soap in the soap dispenser and soap in the fabric softener dispenser then all you have done is wash your clothes twice and need to add an extra rinse cycle or two.
If you put fabric softener in the soap dispenser then all you have done is made your wash cycle into a long rinse cycle and you may have to rewash your clothes putting the right cleansers in their correct dispensers.
To let you see how minor this is, think of when you go to wash your hair. You accidentally grab the conditioner and use it thinking you are shampooing your hair. The reality is all you did was condition your hair before you washed it.
When you wash your hair using the shampoo at the time you normally condition your hair, your hair will be cleaned anyway. Nothing bad happens to your hair when you reverse the process and nothing bad happens to your clothes either.
Can I Use Fabric Softener Instead of Detergent?
No, this is not advisable. Not because something terrible will happen to your clothes but because fabric softener is not made to clean clothes. There are no ingredients that will act as a cleanser and get that dirt out.
Fabric softener only has ingredients that will help soften or keep your clothes soft. If you look at our illustration in the last section, you will get a good idea of what will take place. Basically, all you have done is wasted a little bit of time and fabric softener.
Don’t fret when you make this mistake. Just laugh it off as it does happen to everyone especially if they get distracted by noisy kids, the dog barking, or your husband looking for his socks, etc.
If you have the time just correct your mistake and make sure to put laundry soap in the soap dispenser and fabric softener in its right compartment.
What Happens if You Use Fabric Softener Instead of Detergent
Nothing, really. What you end up with is a pile of dirty clothes that has had its dirt and stains softened. Some people recommend that you do not need to use fabric softener for anything except cotton and linens. They have a long list of fabrics you should not use fabric softener with:
- Microfiber towels do not need fabric softener.
- Nor do moisture-wicking fabrics like athletic wear.
- Don’t use it when washing baby clothes as the softener may damage the fire-resistant chemical coating.
- Avoid using it when washing fleece, velour, or even terry cloth.
- Some towels as the softener may damage their absorbing power.
Finally, do not apply fabric softener directly to fabrics. The end result may be that your clothing and other fabric items will have an oily stain added to them. The key to avoiding these mistakes is to concentrate and make sure you have added the right cleanser to the right dispenser.
Can You Add Fabric Softener With Detergent?
It is possible but you will not get the results you are hoping for. The fabric softener will rinse out too quickly and not have enough time to apply its softening power to your clothing.
That statement is based on those products you combine together and make your own combination of cleanser and softener. You will find that the different manufacturers are trying to save you a step and make the combination for you.
The reason you don't do this at home is that the manufacturers of laundry soap and fabric softener create chemical balances that allow the soap [part to clean first then the softener ingredients kick in afterward.
In other words, the ingredients are specially designed to work in the right order when it is appropriate. When you do it, all you are getting are both ingredients trying to work at the same time and that combination just does not work at all.
What Happens if You Put Detergent in the Bleach Dispenser?
Again, nothing of significance. You are not going to harm your clothes and they will get clean. The only difference is that instead of being rinsed in the first rinse cycle, your clothes are getting washed.
When this takes place, you may have to run an extra rinse cycle to get all the soap out and to add your bleach so that the stains are removed at the same time. All you have to do is alter your schedule a bit to be able to have the time to correct your mistake.
Then after you realize your mistake, wash out the bleach dispenser after your load is done to remove all remaining soap particles. The same can be done for the fabric softener in the wrong spot and detergent in the fabric softener’s dispenser.
If you do not clean the bleach dispenser those soap particles may not have been released completely and will block future bleach additives from going into your machine when you use your washer again.
How do You Use Fabric Softener in a Washing Machine Without a Dispenser?
First, adding fabric softener to your washing machine without a dispenser depends on the type of washer you own. The older models usually just let you open the lid and you pour the fabric softener inside taking care to not hit your clothes directly.
Some newer machines also do not have a fabric dispenser that will make adding that chemical easily. When you have such a machine, you can call up your grandmother and ask her when to add your fabric softener. Most likely she used a similar machine when she was young.
Or you can just add it in like we just described. It is not rocket science nor is it a risky venture that will harm you or your clothes if you do it wrong. The key is to make sure you move the clothes out of the way before adding the chemical.
Fabric softener needs to be diluted first before it touches your clothes so moving those clothing items out of the way allows for the softener to interact with the water first before it touches your clothing.
If you do not want to do this step then you can always use dryer sheets or dryer balls to get your clothes nice and soft. Those are easy to add to your dryer and you do not have to worry about getting your hands and wrists wet.
Some Final Words
People make simple mistakes every day. It is nothing to be embarrassed about or humiliated by doing. When you are doing laundry your mind may be on something else so it is simple to confuse the fabric softener with the laundry soap.
Sometimes those containers look the same. And when one is not concentrating on what they are doing, mistakes happen. The good news is as you read. These simple mistakes only affect your laundry time and your overall schedule.
They won’t hurt your clothing so just correct the mistake and make sure no one was looking when you made it.
