What each compartment of a washing machine’s draw actually does

If you want to keep your clothes fresh and clean, then laundry is one of the chores that many people don’t have the luxury of escaping. It can seem daunting or confusing to a beginner, but it doesn’t have to be.

While every appliance may look and feel different, they all do the same job. If you’re brand new to the joys of washing, or you need to figure out what to do with a new machine, this guide should hopefully help.

Most standard washing machines will have three slots in the pull-out detergent drawer. You might not think what goes where matters, but each has been designed with a specific product in mind.

Using the wrong products in washing machine compartments can lead to ineffective cleaning, potential fabric damage, and even skin irritation. However, most slots will be marked with a handy number that universally stands for certain cleaning products.

According to Currys, the three slots relate to different parts of the cleaning cycle. Each has an important job to do when it comes to ensuring you have fresh and clean clothes at the end of the task.

First is the pre-wash compartment. You’ll be able to work out where it is, even without the number system, as it is usually the middle-sized slot compared to the other two.

Here, you’ll add detergents for your pre-wash cycle. This can help if you have any tough-to-shift stains or heavily soiled clothes like muddy sportswear.

When adding to the pre-wash section, be careful not to go over the recommended amount of detergent. Doing this may lead to your clothes getting damaged in the machine.

The biggest section, and most important, is for your main wash. It’s generally located on the left of your drawer, but you can safely assume the largest slot is for this product.

This is where you put your regular washing detergent—either liquid or powder. The detergent is released at the beginning of the wash cycle and gets to work from there. Just like the pre-wash, you need to make sure you don’t overload the machine with detergent to avoid any complications.

Some newer washing machines might have an auto dose feature, which could help you avoid problems, even if you do get a bit heavy-handed with your laundry products. So long as there’s some detergent in this slot, the machine will take care of the rest.

And, finally, the third and slimmest slot in your machine is for fabric softener. This thin area is not going to be very big because you really don’t need that much fabric softener per load. There is usually a ‘max’ level line to tell you how much you need. 

When the washing machine reaches the rinse cycle, the fabric softener releases from this compartment to make your items come out – as the name implies – soft and fresh. This might not be essential on every wash, but it is great to use when it comes to your towels and bedding.

All-in-one laundry pods offer convenience and ease, simply being placed in the drum of the machine per cycle. However, these can be more expensive per load and may not be suitable for all loads or specific stain types, unlike powder or liquid detergents  -so it’s always worth learning what to do the traditional way.

Those are the basics you’ll need – and where to put them – to ensure a lovely load of expert laundry each time. As you do this more and more, it will soon become second nature to top up your machine.