Why doesn't the capsule dissolve in the washing machine?

Unlike other laundry detergents, laundry capsules are placed directly into the drum, not in a dispenser. The capsule shell is supposed to dissolve upon contact with water, releasing the contents. But sometimes the capsule doesn't dissolve in the washing machine, resulting in the machine running empty. Why does this happen, and how can you avoid such situations in the future?

How to use capsules correctly?

Not everyone knows this, but it turns out there's a proper way to insert the capsule into the drum. If you follow this method, the capsule will dissolve without any problems, and your laundry will be washed perfectly.

How do you calculate the correct number of capsules? The packaging usually tells you how many kilograms of laundry each capsule is designed for. You should use this information as a guide. Typically, one capsule is enough for 5 kilograms of dry laundry.

Important! The drum must be empty and the inside completely dry before inserting the capsule, otherwise the shell may begin to dissolve before washing. For the same reason, the capsules themselves must be dry; do not handle them with wet hands.

When the dry capsule is lying at the bottom of the empty drum, you can place laundry on top. A layer of clothing on top of the capsule will hold it in place while water is being drawn in. However, if you throw the capsule in with the clothes, it may become tangled in the fabric folds, restricting water access and preventing the capsule from dissolving. As for the water temperature, it should not be lower than 30 degrees; the film will not dissolve in cold water.

Reasons why the capsule remained intact

Based on the information above, we can deduce some possible reasons why the capsule won't dissolve in the washing machine. However, there are other causes that homeowners have discovered through experience.

• Cold water. It was mentioned above that the film won't dissolve in water below 30 degrees Celsius. In fact, this isn't entirely true: the shell will dissolve in any water, but the colder the water, the slower the reaction. Consequently, the capsule may not have enough time to completely dissolve if the water is cold.
• The program is too short. Even if the water temperature is high enough, the capsule needs time to function properly, as it not only needs to dissolve but also wash the laundry. This is impossible with ultra-short 15-minute programs.
• Drum overload. If there's too much laundry in the drum, the machine simply won't have enough water to even wet the entire load. And if a capsule is lost in the drum's depths, there's no hope of getting enough water to reach it.
• A capsule can get lost in a pile of laundry not only if it's overloaded. The same consequences await a housewife who places the capsule on top of the laundry rather than under it. The capsule will end up back inside the pile, protected from water and prevented from dissolving.
• The capsule was placed in the detergent drawer, not the drum. When we put detergent in the drawer, the machine literally washes it out with water, dissolving it as it goes. The capsule is too heavy for this, and its shell is too dense. As a result, the slightly damp capsule remains in the drawer section, and the laundry is not washed.
• Too little water. Not everything depends on the user and their actions. Sometimes manufacturers program washing machines to use low amounts of water, but sometimes the pressure switch malfunctions, causing the machine to draw insufficient water. Enough water is needed for the capsule to completely dissolve (a rough guideline is that the capsule should be completely submerged and floating).
• Low-quality capsules. Some people buy cheap capsules to save money. They might work well, but capsules from Svetofor, for example, take 6-7 minutes longer to dissolve than Tide or Ariel. And some "dealers" behave completely shamelessly, selling counterfeits of expensive capsules, where the shell is ordinary polyethylene. Of course, such a capsule can lie in hot water for an eternity and not dissolve.

Knowing the possible reasons why a capsule won't dissolve can help you figure out what's wrong in your particular case and solve the problem based on that information.

   

2 reader comments

1. March 20, 2022 at 2:46 PM

   Anonymous:

   What should I do if the capsule bursts? Will my clothes turn blue?

   Answer
2. February 26, 2023 at 11:47 PM

   Maxim:

   Clean

   Answer