I mistook detergent and fabric softener! Is it okay to wash it like this?

Have you ever accidentally added detergent and fabric softener when doing laundry?

Is it okay to continue washing in such a case?
"Detergent with fabric softener" is also on sale, but why are there separate slots for detergent and fabric softener?

In fact, detergent and fabric softener have completely different roles.

This time, we will explain in detail the difference between detergent and fabric softener, and what to do if you make a mistake.

In this article, we will tell you about the following:

• Differences in the roles and ingredients of detergents and fabric softeners
• Effects of adding detergent and fabric softener incorrectly
• Correct actions and preventive measures if you make a mistake

When washing clothes, it is important to use the correct detergent and fabric softener. Please read this article to find out what happens if you make a mistake.

What should you do if you put the detergent and fabric softener in the wrong slots?

When do you add detergent and fabric softener to the washing machine?

	timing of injection	washing process
detergent	At the first water supply	wash
Softener	final rinse water	rinse

Detergent is added together with the first water supply , and during the "washing" process, clothes are washed with the detergent-mixed cleaning solution.

Fabric softener, on the other hand, is added to the final rinse water , and during the rinsing process, the fabric softener is softened by rinsing with water containing fabric softener.

In this way, the processes in which detergent and fabric softener are added are completely different .

Therefore, if you put it in incorrectly, you won't be able to get the full effect of either, and you may need to rinse it out again .

What to do if you put detergent in the softener mouth

If you put detergent into the fabric softener mouth, the detergent will be added to the last rinse water.

When I noticed it before washing

Take out the fabric softener case, empty it, thoroughly wash away any detergent ingredients left in the case, and then put it back in.

When I noticed it while washing

It is during the final rinsing process that the incorrectly added detergent is added.
Before that, take out the fabric softener case, empty it, and wash it thoroughly.

If bubbles (detergent ingredients) are mixed in during the rinsing process, rinse again after washing.

If you wash the item without realizing it

After the washing process, the clothes are left dehydrated without rinsing.

There are detergent ingredients left on your clothes, and if you use them as they are, they can be very irritating to your skin, so be sure to rinse them again after washing.

If you want to use fabric softener when rinsing again, set it to rinse twice or more . Don't forget to clean the input slot.

What to do if you put fabric softener in the detergent mouth

If you put fabric softener in the detergent mouth, the fabric softener will be mixed into the washing liquid.

When I noticed it before washing

Take out the detergent case, empty it, thoroughly wash away any remaining fabric softener ingredients, and then put it back in.

When adding fabric softener after adding detergent

There is no need to rewash the clothes, but the fabric softener may be washed away and the clothes may no longer feel as nice to the touch.

Also, if you wash clothes that have a lot of dirt on them, the cleaning effect may not be sufficient and dirt may remain.
If you are concerned about dirt remaining, we recommend washing it again .

When you wash your clothes without realizing it

If you do not add detergent, the stains may not have been removed from your clothes and you should wash them again.
Many stains on clothes cannot be removed with water alone. The odor will also remain.
Detergents are essential when washing clothes, as they can remove dirt from the fibers of your clothes.

Also, if you accidentally add detergent and fabric softener, the detergent will be mixed into the rinse water and the detergent ingredients will remain on your clothes.
Therefore, rinsing is necessary.

If you want to use fabric softener when rinsing again, set it to rinse twice or more .

In either case, don't forget to clean the inlet.

Understand the difference between detergent and fabric softener

Differences in the roles and effects of detergents and fabric softeners

Fabric softeners and detergents have different roles in the washing process.

Simply put, detergents are mainly used to clean clothes and objects and remove dirt and oil stains. If we compare it to hair, detergent is the shampoo, and fabric softener is the conditioner and treatment.

While cleaning power is important for detergents, fabric softeners focus on improving the comfort and texture of clothing.

Fabric softeners have the role of softening clothing and improving the texture of clothing by coating fibers.

Detergent and fabric softener play different roles in the washing process, but both are important items that help care for your clothes.

Role of detergent

Laundry detergent is a cleaning agent that lifts dirt and bacteria such as sebum and oil from clothing fibers and removes them.
Many stains on clothing cannot be removed by washing with water alone.
When you use detergent, the ingredients contained in the detergent penetrate into the fibers of your clothes, lifting dirt and grime from the fibers and removing them.

Detergents contain various ingredients such as surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents, and optical brighteners, all of which interact to keep clothes clean.

What is the role of fabric softener? What happens if you wash without fabric softener?

Fabric softeners are finishing agents that make clothing softer and more comfortable.
Clothes are subjected to friction and stress in the washing machine, so each time they are washed, they gradually lose their original texture.
Fabric softener coats the fibers of clothing, making them soft and comfortable.

The ingredients contained in fabric softeners suppress static electricity on clothing and reduce the generation of static electricity caused by friction between clothing and skin. This reduces unpleasant static electricity when worn.

Using fabric softener will reduce wrinkles and creases in your laundry, making it easier to iron.

What if you forget to add fabric softener?

Even if you forget to add fabric softener and run the washing machine, there is no problem as long as you add it before the last rinse .

If the washer is still running, press the pause button to stop the washer.
Pour fabric softener into the fabric softener slot and press the restart button.
However, this method cannot be used if the final rinse has already begun, so if you really want to use it, add fabric softener after washing, rinse, and then dehydrate.

I washed it with only fabric softener! what should I do?

If you wash your clothes with fabric softener only, the best way is to wash them again. Fabric softener alone won't remove stains, so add detergent and wash again. It is important to put the fabric softener into the designated slot.

Is it okay to mix detergent and fabric softener?

If you've read this far, you probably know that detergent and fabric softener have different roles, so it's best to use them separately, especially when wearing everyday clothes.

It's like washing your hair with conditioner when shampooing, and both ingredients won't be able to do their best.

3 reasons why you should not use them together

1. Decrease in effectiveness

Detergents and fabric softeners have different roles.

Detergents help remove dirt from clothes, while fabric softeners soften clothes. This is an image of shampoo and conditioner. By adding fabric softener, the texture of the clothing itself may become softer, but if you separate the fabric softener, the original softness will be brought out.

Separate detergent into the detergent inlet and fabric softener into the fabric softener inlet.

2. stains left on clothes

Detergents are designed to remove stains, so mixing them with fabric softener ingredients increases the chance of stains remaining on your clothes. Fabric softener should be used in the final rinse stage, so it is important to use detergent during the washing process.

3. washing machine malfunction

Using fabric softener and detergent at the same time may cause your washing machine to malfunction. This is because the detergent and fabric softener can mix and form a residue inside the washer that can clog the pipes and pump.

It's important to use fabric softener and detergent separately and to add them in the correct order according to your washer's instructions.

When used correctly, you can wash your laundry cleaner, softer, and extend the life of your washing machine.

Can I add fabric softener to my washing machine if it doesn't have a fabric softener slot?

If you don't have a fabric softener dispenser, add it directly to the washing machine.
However, if you add fabric softener from the beginning of the laundry process, the fabric softener will end up mixed with the detergent.

As mentioned above, if you mix fabric softener and detergent, the fabric softener won't be as effective as it should be, so when rinsing, press the stop button and add the fabric softener.

When adding fabric softener manually, add it between the start of rinsing and the end of rinsing.

Don't panic if you use detergent and fabric softener incorrectly.

	before turning the washing machine	after running the washing machine	After washing
Detergent in the fabric softener slot	Remove the case and wash it thoroughly	Before the final rinse, remove the case and wash it thoroughly.	Rinsing has not been completed, so rinse again.
Fabric softener in the detergent inlet	Remove the case and wash it thoroughly	There is no problem as is. *Possibility of decreased softener effect and remaining stains	There is no problem as is. *Re-wash if you are concerned about dirt.

If you make a mistake in using detergent and fabric softener, don't panic!
If you realize you made a mistake, immediately stop the washing machine , replace the detergent and fabric softener, and try washing again.
The only thing you need to be careful about is putting detergent and fabric softener in the fabric softener slot .
In this case, be sure to rinse again, as your clothes will not be rinsed out.

As long as you rinse thoroughly, there will be no problem, so don't worry!
If done correctly, you can thoroughly remove stains from your clothes and wash them thoroughly.

When cleaning the inlet, if detergent or fabric softener is stuck and won't come off, we recommend using slightly hot water.
Wash it gently with a brush.
Sticky detergent and fabric softener can cause mold, so be sure to clean the inlet regularly!

Detergent and fabric softener each have different roles, and the input slots are also separate for that purpose.
When used correctly, you can remove dirt and germs from your clothes and keep the fibers of your clothes soft.

When doing laundry, be sure to check the labels and slots for detergent and fabric softener to avoid making mistakes!