When do you add detergent to the washer? Before or after the clothes?

[vintagekitchen]

My aunt and I were discussing this subject yesterday. Turns out we do it completely opposite to each other.

I learned how to do laundry in Granny's set of Kenmore automatics, and always load the clothes loosely to the top row of holes in the basket, add my powdered detergent directly on top of the clothes, (currently and usually Foca, I always return to it). I then add softener and if using it bleach to their respective dispensers, close the lid, and start the washer.

My aunt on the other hand, learned how to do laundry in my grandmothers much used and we'll worn speed queen wringer washer, which was so clapped out by that point, that if you didn't stay with it while it washed, it would walk slowly across the floor until it unplugged itself, lol. She starts the washer empty, let's it gets about half full, then add her powdered detergent, (usually tide) let the machine finish filling, and begin agitating to dissolve the detergent, then add clothes a peice at a time until the amount of turnover in the load suits her. She then adds softener and bleach to their respective dispensers, and closes the machine. Also, she nearly always pauses the load halfway through, let's it soak a while, then restarts the washer to let it finish. For whites or anything with heavier than normal soil, she stops the washer after it spins but before it goes into rinse, turns the knob around, and washes the load a second time with more detergent.

I feel that the way I do it is more automatic, while she for her part tends to use the automatic just like her mother's wringer that she learned with. Credit where it's due, her laundry is immaculate, but I love automatic and switches and settings to do the work, lol.

We do agree on a few things, Downy is the best softener, Top job is the best bleach, every load should have both downy and a sheet of Bounce, ( she skips the Downy for towels).

So tell me guys, am I doing it wrong, or is she just going to a lot of extra trouble? Lol.

 

[maytagbear]

Detergent

is a powerful chemical cocktail, and can lead to holes in cottons, if added on top of the clothes, so the best method is your Aunt's. I run enough water to be visible in the tub, then add the detergent, and then the clothes. I lower the lid, and walk away.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[stan]

Hope you'll forgive me, but

I kind of do what your aunt dose!
I usually start filling the machine, then go gather the load, when it's part full I add my water softener
(STPP, or Borax, Soda, whatever I think at the time) wait for agitation, then add my soap (powder or liquid) let agitate another min, then add clothes.
I do what she dose, and stop adding when I think I might hinder turn over by adding more.
I've been know to pull things back out if I think turn over isn't moving well enough LOL

 

[cornutt]

My mom had a Kenmore too, and she did the same thing: Load the clothes, throw the detergent in on top, and start the machine.

 

[washdaddy]

Normally I start the washer filling than add the detergent (and bleach if it's the white load) than add the clothes as the machine is filling with water.

Once in a while I will put the detergent in last and that's because I just don't feel like dropping the clothes on the floor first so I can grab the detergent to put it into the washer before the clothes and then bending over to pick the clothes up and put them in the machine. (BEING LAZY!) OH I almost forgot----START THE WASHER LAST! (NOW WHAT WAS I THINKING? I may get my laundry privileges revoked for that.) LMAO

Now, of course, the above methods refer to TL machines only because those people that have FL machines use that machines built in dispenser which time dispenses your additives at the precise right moment during the cycle so it doesn't matter when you load the dispenser because the "MACHINE" eliminates that stressful challenge of,
"OH GOD, DO I ADD IT NOW?"

All in all-
I really don't think it's as much of an issue now as in the past since detergents I think are milder now than what they use to be. They don't contain as many harsh chemicals and phosphates that could possibly spot stain your laundry because of direct contact with clothing when undiluted.

The best way to be safe is follow the recommended directions of the detergents and additives you use as well as what your washer instructions suggest.

 

[thomasortega]

Since early 70's washing machines have dispensers here in Brazil, no matter if they are top or front loaders..

One thing i'll never forget is the Magic (tragic)-mix filter on Brastemp washers. It was great because it really dissolved the detergent before reaching the clothes and only after the machine started agitation but, it was a PITA because the compartment was too small so I used to use a finger to push the powder into it's feeding hose. And cleaning the lint filter (the Devil's brush)... well, it was a nightmare. so I don't remember how I used to load detergents on top loaders.

One thing I'm doing on front loaders only to keep the detergent compartment really clean, I simply toss the detergent on the clothes. When using liquids, i do the same.

if I had to use a top loader without a dispenser, I'd probably use one of those dosing/dispensing balls that can be tossed in the washer. It would prevent the detergent being flushed to the drain pump if loaded before loading the clothes and the stains if loaded after the clothes. I'd just place the ball on the top and hope it floats until agitation starts.

 

[polkanut]

I was taught to add water and detergent first, and then let it agitate a bit before adding laundry.  This is especially important when I use bluing.  Who wants blue streaked tighty-whities?  Also when I use a Biz pod, it helps it to dissolve a bit first.

 

[passatdoc]

Back when I owned a top loader, I used your aunt's method. Or failing that, I'd add detergent first (so it lay on the bottom, then added clothes, then turned on machine. I did not want water to land directly on detergent granules lying on top of fabric.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

I'm don't remember if I was ever "taught" a specific way, but the I do this is:

 

~ With a Maytag top load: load clothes into the washer, remove the lint filter and pour powdered detergent down the center of the agitator, then start.   Or sometimes add detergent (in the agitator) as it's filling or while agitating.

 

~ Other top load washers: Load the clothes, start the machine and usually add detergent as it's filling.   Or add it to the dispenser, if it has one.

 

~ Older front load washers: Load clothes, dump the powdered detergent on top, close the door and start.

 

~ Newer FL washers: use the dispenser drawer, obviously.

 

Kevin

 

[yogitunes]

going back to vintage TL machines.....

I have seen some start filling with water....

if a white load, bleach would be added first to dilute....

if detergent was added at the beginning, small load size would be selected to mix and suds up the detergent....then the higher level was selected, and clothes were added....

mostly just let the machine fill, while adding clothes, by that time, agitation started, and you added detergent......

although, it is recommended to add bleach 5 minutes after agitation begins, to let the detergent do its job first...

Maytags were always neat with that barrel agitator, to pull the detergent down and mix with water before touching the clothing....

for most anything with a dispenser, let the machine handle it, especially if its timed to add when needed.....

probably one machine I love most is the Calypso, it stirs water and detergent into a suds froth and then showers the clothing with the solution.....nothing wrong with a concentrated soak.....and a close second would be the Catalyst machines...

 

[frigilux]

Front-loading Frigidaire: Detergent pod goes into empty drum; then clothes are added. Liquid and powdered detergents go in the dispenser, of course.

Top-loading Speed Queen: All forms of detergent go into empty tub, followed by clothes.

 

[westie2]

My mom put the detergent in th wringer after water was in and let it agitate and did the one at a time of her wet cloths in.  The in 1964 with the Maytag she did like RevinKevin placed in the agitator and then the clothes and let it fill. 

My first was a Maytag AMP with a timed fill so put in detergent in the let it fill and agitate then stopped the machine and loaded clothes and restarted the washer.  Our next was a Whirlpool with the magic mix filter.  The nest on was a MW that was Westinghouse built so placed dry detergent in the back filter as directed.

 

 

[turquoisedude]

Like others, the way I add detergent varies depending on the machine...  

 

For the Maytag and Frigidaire (both top loaders) I put the detergent into the centre of the agitator or pulsator respectively.  

 

For the other TLs currently in use, I put detergent into the bottom of the tubs of the two Kenmores and the Inglis, let some water accumulate, then add the clothes.  However for the GE TL, I put the detergent into the Filter-Flo pan.  

 

Now, for the front-loaders,  I put the detergent in the bottom of the tubs of the Westy and the GE Combo (I just love saying that again!!), load the clothes, then start the cycle.  

 

[cam2s]

When I had a TL, I would fill the machine up, add the soap, and then add the clothes as the machine agitated. Now that I have a FL, I let the dispensers do the work.

 

[danemodsandy]

Detergent First!

I'm a powder user, and it has always been my feeling (as well as many a manufacturer's recommendation) that better results are achieved by putting the detergent in the bottom of the tub before any clothes go in.

The reason I agree with this is: Detergent sitting at the bottom of the tub sits there getting drenched by the water filling the tub, meaning it is well on its way to being fully dissolved by the time agitation starts.

I am rewarded within moments of the beginning of agitation with cloudy water, meaning that detergent is in suspension in it. And the clothes get clean.

*Edit* TL user here, of course.

 

[xraytech]

I use a top-loader, I start to fill the tub with water, as soon as the bottom of tub is covered I add Borax, and Biz(if I'm using it) let dissolve a bit then add my Wisk. I then let water fill until bottom of agitator is covered then I loosely add my clothes

 

[washman]

before

always

 

[whirlaway]

Water Temp

I load the machine,pour in,or rather sprinkle thepowder around the clothes,and I always use hot water,I think it dissolves faster.If you dont overload it thats the key! The clothes and powder mix quickly.I do always stand there and watch,I just luv to look at that old machine wash,also spin!

 

[thor]

Detergent

I dump the detergent, wether solid or liquid, in the empty tub in the rear section, just where the water spray hits the empty drum. I let the machine fill for one minute or two, then add clothes and let the machine complete filling, agitate a couple of minutes. I then stop the washer, let the laundry soak, no matter if black , light colors or white, from 10 to 60 minutes approx., depending on color. Then I let the cycle finish, I ALWAYS use the second rinse option.