No! You should not add fabric softener to the bleach dispenser. When a fabric softener mixes with bleach, it can cause dangerous chlorine gas to form, which is hazardous to your health and can make you pass out instantly.
Putting the fabric softener in the bleach dispenser has probably crossed your mind at some point, especially if you do a lot of laundry.
However, I’m sure you’ve had many people say that the softener will gunk up the dispenser and stop it from working.
Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s true. Bleach and fabric softeners must be kept entirely separate.
But What’s the deal with fabric softener in the dispenser? And why does it matter?
I’ll explain everything in this article but first, let’s find out if your machine has a dedicated fabric softener compartment.
Where To Find The Fabric Softener Compartment On Your Machine
Top load washers often have fabric softener dispensers. These dispensers are small compartments on the agitator and are usually labeled with a star or a floor.
Found it? Good! Now, pour the recommended amount of softener into the dispenser carefully. Make sure to read the labels on your fabric conditioner to avoid adding it to the laundry detergent dispenser.
However, if you can’t find the compartment, it means your washing machine probably doesn’t have a fabric softener dispenser. So should you add the softener to the bleach compartment? My answer, of course, still remains NO.
There are safer alternative methods that I will be sharing as you read on.
Three Reasons Why you Should not Put Fabric Softener in the bleach dispenser
It May Pose A Health Risk.
When a fabric softener is added to a bleach dispenser, it can mix with the bleach, causing a harmful chemical reaction to anyone around the washing machine.
These softeners contain the reactive dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. When it comes into contact with bleach, it produces chlorine gas and can cause suffocation if inhaled.
It Interrupts The Washing Cycle
If you place fabric softener in the bleach dispenser, it can interrupt the whole washing machine cycle. The fabric softener will build up and create a blockage that will stop your washer from working correctly.
As a result, The bleach no longer follows the same path into the water fill stream as before. Instead, it overflows sub trays and splashes into the inner drum. This can lead to unexpected machine damage and expensive repairs.
Causes Cloth Discoloration
Laundry chemicals are used during different washing cycles to achieve different effects. Bleach is used in the washing cycle, while fabric softener is used in the rinse cycle. Using these chemicals in the wrong cycles can fade the color of your clothes or cause spots and stains.
So How Do You Use a Fabric Softener Without a Dispenser?
Adding fabric softener to your laundry can be a hassle. If you don’t have a dispenser, you’re forced to manually measure the amount you want to add. This can be tricky and time-consuming. However, below are some methods to help you save money and get great results every time.
Method 1: Add Fabric Softener Manually
Some washing machines without a softener dispenser have fabric softener controls. The control settings will alert you when to add the softener at the end of the rinse cycle.
To get started;
- Set your machine to notify you when to add fabric softener to the water.
- If your machine does not have a fabric softener control, use a self-timer.
- When the washing cycle is completed, pour the required quantity of fabric softener directly into pockets of water in the washtub to avoid stains on your cloth.
- Allow the rinse cycle to continue.
Method 2: Use Softener Ball
The softener ball is an automatic dispensing gadget that you can add to your washer when you load your clothes. The ball is designed to release softener during the rinse cycle.
- Buy a softener ball from your local stores.
- Fill the ball with the recommended quantity of fabric softener
- Put the ball in the washer at the start of the washing cycle.
- The vigorous spinning of the rinse cycle will cause the ball’s lid to open and dispense fabric softener at precisely the right time.
Method 3: Soak a Fabric Softener On A Microfiber Cloth
If you are on a tight household budget, this method is efficient and reduces the amount of softener you need.
Here is how to do it accurately;
- Pour your fabric softener into a bucket or bowl.
- Drop a rag inside the bowl and let it soak for a 7-10 minutes
- Wring out excess fabric softener from the microfiber cloth
- Place the microfiber cloth in the dryer.
Quick Tip: You should always ensure you use a bright colored microfiber cloth, so you can easily differentiate it from your laundry
Are There Alternatives to the Fabric Softener?
If you want to make sure your clothes always come out soft and smelling great, there’s no better way than adding fabric softener to your wash! However, there are some cheaper alternatives to soften your laundry. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Borax: This natural mineral acts as a gentle cleanser, leaving clothes feeling fresh and clean without any chemical residue. It also helps prevent future stains from setting into fabrics.
Baking Soda: A mild alkaline powder that works well on dirt, grease, odors, and stains. It also has a pleasant scent.
Distilled White Vinegar: Using vinegar naturally softens your cloth and will help remove soap and detergent during the rinse cycle.
FAQs On Can I Put Fabric Softener In The Bleach Dispenser
When Should I Add Fabric Softener If I Don’t Have A Dispenser?
Manually pour the fabric softener into the water at the end of the last rinse cycle.
What If I Accidentally Add Detergent To A Fabric Softener Dispenser?
The fabric softener is released at the final rinse cycle. So, if you put laundry detergent in the softener dispenser, it will be dispensed late and won’t serve its original purpose. Restart the wash cycle and add your detergent to the appropriate compartment to rectify this.
