Where do I put detergent in my Zanussi washing machine?

Having an automatic washing machine in the home is no longer surprising, as it's as commonplace as a stove or refrigerator. It's even more surprising that not every housewife can handle this useful appliance. Operating errors can cause this "home helper" to break down faster, so it's crucial to use the equipment strictly according to the instructions and adhere to all safety rules. Today, we'll explore where exactly to put the detergent in a Zanussi washing machine, and what happens if you mix up the detergent drawer.

The purpose of each section of the powder box

The most important requirement of household chemical manufacturers is to add detergent to a specially designed tray, which is also a powder receptacle. This compartment looks like a plastic pull-out drawer, most often divided into three sections, each of which is intended for different products. The purpose of each cuvette in the dispenser can be determined either by size or by special markings.

• "*" is the very first compartment on the right, medium-sized. It's designed exclusively for rinse aid, so adding powder or gel to it is prohibited. It's very difficult to confuse the drawer, as it has a distinctive star symbol and a specific configuration.
• "2" – this number usually refers to the largest compartment, located in the center of the detergent drawer. It's designed specifically for the main wash cycle, so it's where you'll add concentrated household chemicals like powder and liquid detergent.
• "1" is the first compartment on the left, medium-sized. Detergent should only be added to this compartment if you plan to use the pre-wash cycle. If you don't plan to soak your clothes, leave the compartment empty to avoid wasting expensive detergent.

Loading detergent directly into the drum is not recommended. Household chemicals are very aggressive and can seriously damage clothes and discolor fabrics. Furthermore, the detergent will be quickly washed out of the drum, as the washing machine fills and drains water several times during the cycle, preventing the detergent from having time to work. Therefore, it's best not to experiment and to use your appliance strictly according to the official user manual.

Why shouldn't you confuse the sections of the powder receptacle?

Regularly using the detergent drawer compartments for other purposes won't damage the washing machine, but it will impact the subsequent cleaning performance of dirty laundry. In this case, items will either remain dirty after a cycle or be covered in soap scum.

This happens because a Zanussi washing machine always rinses household chemicals only from the compartments designated for the user's selected program. If, however, you accidentally add detergent, for example, to the prewash compartment when a soak cycle isn't included, the detergent will remain untouched while the laundry swirls in plain water. Adding gel or powder to the star-marked compartment is also a nuisance, as the concentrated detergent will only penetrate the drum into the dirty laundry during the rinse phase, when the laundry should already be releasing the detergent, not coming into contact with it.

To avoid dirty and soapy clothes, you should always carefully monitor the addition of household chemicals to the detergent dispenser.

The situations described pose no significant risk to the user, appliance, or clothing. After such an unsuccessful cycle, you can always restart the wash cycle by properly filling the detergent drawer, or perform an additional rinse to remove the chemicals and avoid an allergic reaction. However, this is very unpleasant, as it consumes additional time, detergent, tap water, and electricity. Therefore, it's best to avoid operational errors and always closely monitor the operation of your "home helper."

It is very necessary to pour the powder around the box.

Sometimes housewives intentionally add powders and gels directly to the washing machine drum. They cite the advantage of this method as economical detergent consumption. This supposedly prevents chemicals from lingering on the walls of the detergent drawer and from being washed away during the transfer process. However, the latter is highly questionable, as the water is drained and refilled several times during the wash cycle, meaning all the detergent will go down the drain with the used liquid.

Therefore, household appliance and detergent manufacturers strongly recommend using a detergent dispenser. The only exceptions are extreme cases where the detergent drawer is broken and you need to wash your clothes right away. In such a situation, it's essential to follow the instructions.

• Never add powder or gel directly to clothing, as the harsh detergents will react with the fibers and ruin the item.
• Chemicals should be added to an empty drum.
• You need to flush all chemical residues into the tank with plain water, or cover the resulting pile of granules with a damp cloth or napkin.
• After the concentrate, you can load dirty clothes.

It's best to add detergent to a special dispenser—a plastic container covered with numerous holes. Occasionally, a dispenser like this comes with your washing machine, but usually you need to buy one separately. This will make washing much safer, and this useful device costs no more than $1.50.

Transition to innovative means

Progress does not stand still, so it is even better to use not powder and gel, but special capsules and tablets. They should be placed directly in the drum of your "home assistant", where they effectively remove any stains and also carefully care for the equipment. They're easy to use, as each unit is designed for a single use, during which it dissolves completely in water. The two most common types of innovative cleaning products are:

• capsules are a special gel hidden behind a completely soluble shell;
• Tablets are a compressed powder that gradually dissolves layer by layer.

Also worth mentioning are cleaning wipes, which dissolve in water while the washing machine is running. All three types do an excellent job, significantly improving the quality of the wash. They are more expensive than powders and gels, but the difference is often worth it.

   

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