Products to Never Use in a Clothes Washer
Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Most automatic dishwasher detergents contain ingredients that are much harsher than laundry detergent and can cause fading and bleaching of colors. The ingredients can also leave residue in the fabrics that can irritate the wearer's skin. Dishwashing Liquid, Shampoo, Bubble Bath, or Body Wash These products produce too many bubbles that will be difficult to remove during the rinse cycle. Using dishwashing soap in a high-efficiency washer can produce so many suds that they will overflow and harm the machine's electronics system and void the warranty. Household Cleaners or Ammonia Both of these products are too harsh for most fabrics and can be irritating to the skin. The cleaners also contain ingredients that can cause color loss and spotting on fabrics. Household cleaners can also contain sudsing ingredients that will damage a high-efficiency washing machine.
Detergent Alternatives for Hand-Washing Clothes
If you are out of detergent and decide to simply wash a few items in the sink you have more options as alternatives for your regular detergent. It is much more simple to control suds in a sink or bathtub than in a washer because you can use much less of the substitute cleaner. If you have no detergent at all, use one cup of borax or baking soda for a normal load. The clothing will be cleaner than you imagine thanks to the action of the cleaning agents, water, and the agitation from the washer. Again, pretreat stains before washing and use the warmest water temperature recommended for the garments. If the garment is heavily soiled, you’ll get the best results if you allow it to soak for 30 minutes or longer in the cleaning solution. This gives the cleaning agent time to break down the soil in the fabric so you can rinse it away after some agitation. Always add the alternative cleaner to the water and stir well before adding clothes. Do not pour the cleaner directly on the fabrics to prevent spotting.
