If you’re tossing your cap of detergent into the washing machine, that means you’re bypassing the little designated drawer. But is this also a problem?
“I don’t use that compartment,” Richardson said. “I’d say the only reason to use it is if you’re using a lot of detergent ― and using too much detergent is a terrible thing to do. But if you want to put a lot, you really need to use the compartment because you can actually get detergent stains on your clothes depending on the brand you use and its ingredients.”
But some argue there are other reasons to use that designated detergent drawer.
“The compartment is designed to ensure the detergent is dispensed at the right time during the wash cycle, allowing it to properly dissolve and mix with water,” Joun said. “This way, the detergent has time to break down stains and clean effectively.”
Using the compartment can also help avoid detergent buildup directly on your clothing, he added.
“Pouring it directly onto the clothes could result in uneven distribution, meaning some areas might get too much detergent, while others get too little,” Joun said. “This could lead to excess detergent residue, which is harder to rinse out. It’s best to use the designated compartment to ensure the detergent is dispersed correctly and your clothes get the best clean possible.”
Although most machines have those special dispensers these days, you could still encounter one without it.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
