What is the third compartment in the washing machine tray for?

Everyone knows that properly distributing detergent in a washing machine's dispenser is the key to high-quality washing. Most detergent dispensers have three compartments. While the main wash compartment is practically uncomplicated—housewives quickly memorize it—the purpose of the second and third compartments in a washing machine remains a mystery to many users. Let's settle this question once and for all.

Purpose of the powder box compartments

As mentioned above, most washing machine models have a powder compartment divided into 3 sections, so you will probably find the same amount in yours if you pull out the drawer.

Please note that each section has its own designation. Those on the edges are marked either with the Roman numerals I and II or the Latin letters A and B. The section in between is marked with an image of a snowflake or a flower.

• Section I, or letter A, is for pre-washing, or, more simply, soaking. The soaking process involves soaking the laundry in a large amount of water for an extended period of time. This causes the fabric to swell, making it easier for the washing machine to remove dirt from the fibers. Adding detergent during the soaking process will enhance the effect.
• Section II, or B, is the main detergent section. Most homemakers use this section without adding anything to the other two.
• The section with a snowflake or flower is needed for rinses, conditioners, bleaches and other additional products.

Why are compartments necessary, and why can't you just add all the detergents at once? The key is that compartments allow the machine to dispense the right amount of detergent at the right time. During the soak phase, it dispenses detergent from the first compartment, during the main wash, it dispenses detergent from the main compartment, and so on.

Important! Sometimes housewives remember they forgot to add detergent after the machine has started. During the wash cycle, you can easily pull out the detergent drawer and add the forgotten detergent, as long as the corresponding wash stage hasn't yet completed.

Can I sprinkle powder directly on clothes?

Washing machine and detergent manufacturers unanimously claim that the dispenser is the only appropriate place to store detergent. However, for various reasons, some housewives prefer to add detergent directly into the drum.

The main motive behind this behavior is "savings." Supposedly, pouring powder into the drum will completely use it up, while the powder is never completely washed out of the tray, and some granules end up on the dispenser walls and in the pipes. In fact, this is a misconception, since during the washing stage the water can be renewed several times, and some of the detergent from the drum will simply go ingloriously down the drain.

Caution! Sprinkling detergent on clothing is strictly not recommended. Your goal is to minimize direct contact between the fibers and harsh cleaning agents, which can damage the structure and impair its appearance.

The correct order of actions is:

• pour the required amount of powder into the empty drum;
• Fill a glass of water and rinse the bottom of the drum, at least partially dissolving the product;
• Instead of the previous step, you can take a wet napkin, unfold it and simply cover the pile of powder;
• Only after this is it allowed to put laundry into the tank.

You can purchase a special laundry container—a small plastic container with a mesh lid into which you pour laundry detergent. The container is then placed in the drum along with your laundry. If you can't or don't want to use a dispenser, this is a great solution.

The powder compartment was mixed up

If you accidentally mix up the sections of the powder drawer, this will not cause any harm to the washing machine, but the quality of the wash will suffer.

It has already been said that division into sections helps the machine take the right product at the right time. For example, the detergent is removed from the pre-wash compartment only when the pre-wash cycle starts and only during this stage. With this system, confusion in sections can lead to the following problems:

• If you pour powder only into compartment A and run the normal cycle, the laundry will be washed without detergent;
• If you add the detergent to compartment B and select a program with soaking, soaking will take place without detergent;
• If you add powder to the third compartment of your washing machine, you will find laundry covered in soap scum when you come out.

If you suddenly discover after washing that the sections are mixed up, don't worry. Of course, you'll have to rewash the laundry, but it won't cause any serious damage or loss.

   

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