Why are there three compartments in a washing machine?

Not everyone is fully familiar with all the appliances installed in their home, as manufacturers are increasingly making smart devices more complex, making them difficult to understand. Today, we'll explore the three compartments in a washing machine's drawer—why there are so many, while many people use just one or two for washing. What each compartment does, and how to use them correctly.

Purpose of powder receiver compartments

Most washing machines have a standard compartment for household chemicals, which is always similar from device to device. If you open the tray, it will most likely consist of 3 compartments. What can be said about them?

• The outer sections are designated either by Roman numerals or by the letters A and B.
• Near the middle compartment there is a symbol of a snowflake or a flower.
• The Roman numeral I or the letter A indicates where you should add detergent for the pre-wash or soak stage. This is a soaking cycle in which clothes are left in water for an extended period of time to more effectively remove stubborn stains and other heavy soiling during the main wash cycle. This effect is achieved by stretching and swelling the fabric of the clothes, allowing the detergent to better penetrate the fibers, making it easier for the washing machine to remove the stains.

Pre-wash is not used as often as main wash, so the compartment with the Roman numeral I is rarely used – mainly with long working cycles for cleaning cotton or synthetics.

• The Roman numeral II or the letter B indicates the compartment for powder or gel detergent, intended for the main wash. Housewives often use only this compartment, as every washing machine dispenses detergent from this dispenser.
• Finally, a compartment with a snowflake or flower icon is installed for fabric softener, fabric conditioner, and other household chemicals.

It is noteworthy that the powder receptacle is designed in such a way that even if it is pulled out while the washing machine is running, nothing bad will happen, because it will simply continue to fill with water. The different compartments in the tray were designed to allow the "home assistant" to wash out detergents in a timely manner at different stages of work, without mixing them prematurely.

The dangers of ignoring the powder receptacle

Housewives often choose to ignore the detergent drawer and simply pour household chemicals directly into the drum. While this is certainly convenient, manufacturers recommend against it for good reason, as the detergent doesn't dissolve immediately even at high temperatures. And if the wet but undissolved granules get on clothes, a chemical reaction can adversely affect the color of the garment. In fact, it could simply leave noticeable white stains.

If you prefer to add detergent directly to the drum rather than the detergent dispenser, you can do so using a special device, which resembles a ball with holes. Simply pour the detergent into the ball, place it in the drum, and start the wash. This prevents the detergent from coming into contact with your clothes, preventing white stains. These devices are often included with your washing machine.

Sometimes housewives first dissolve the washing powder in a glass of boiling water to avoid damaging the clothes, and only then pour the resulting solution into the washing machine's drum. After this, they wait for the solution to drain through the holes in the drum, then load the laundry and start the cycle. This method is valid, but there's no safer way than using a powder dispenser, which is recommended by detergent and appliance manufacturers.

   

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