Using Fabric Softener In Washing Machine Without Dispenser?

Every piece of cloth deserves love, affection, and a touch of fabric softener. And we will give them all of that. But, to do so, we should first know how to do that properly because, although not drastic, not correctly using fabric softener can cause some damage to your clothes.

I have been doing my laundry for ten years now, so I think I am in a position to guide you through the ins and outs of laundry. Still, today our focus will be on the part where we add the fabric softener, and I’ll show you how to use fabric softener in washing machine without dispenser!

Where do I put fabric softener in my washing machine?

Many of you may not know if your washing machine has a fabric softener dispenser. First, go to your washing machine and look at these locations where the dispenser is mostly located:

• Look for a drawer that you can pull out and see if there are labelled compartments such as detergent, fabric softener, and bleach.
• A hole/ opening in the corner of the top of your washing machine
• If using a top-loading machine, look at the agitator’s top.

If you have a user’s manual, you can see for information over there; otherwise, the fabric softener is mainly located on the right side of the machine.

If you are lucky and have a dispenser, that’s great.

If there isn’t any that is not that big of an issue, here are some of the options that you can opt for:

Please do not use the fabric softener during the wash cycle, as this will waste all of it. Please wait for the rinse cycle and then pour it into the tub when it fills with water.

3 Fabric softener in washing machine without dispenser options

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1. Downy ball

A downy ball is an excellent option if you do not have a fabric softener dispenser. It is a plastic ball with a stopper. All you need to do is put in the fabric softener and close the stopper. The movement within the washing machine will cause the ball to open at the right time when it should and release the softener. I love them since I used them for many years when my washing machine did not have a fabric softener dispenser.

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2. Dryer Sheets

Another option you can go for is to use dryer sheets (If you are not familiar with dryer sheets, they are basically used to create a guard against the buildup of static electricity during machine drying in most fabrics. They also act as a great fabric softener, help resist future stains, prevent clothes from gathering lint, and make ironing easier. Above all, dryer sheets add a burst of freshness and even a pleasing fragrance that some users love.) instead of using a liquid fabric softener.

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3. Wool Dryer Balls

According to M.A Steinberger, you can also use wool dryer balls.

It is very crucial and important to know when to add fabric softener to the washing machine. You should always ensure that you add whichever fabric softener you use during the rinse cycle because the wash cycle can remove all the fabric softener.

Just be careful while you pour it in, and ensure that you do not pour it directly over the clothes as it may cause staining. To prevent this, always pour the fabric softener into the water pockets.

Alternatives to using a fabric softener?

Not everyone likes using a store-bought fabric softener, but would that mean there will be no clothes of that love and care? Oh no, fabric softeners are not the end, and I have an amazing thing in store for you guys.

At first, it may seem a little absurd but trust me, I have lived in places with no fabric softener, and my grandma once told me about what wonders white vinegar can do on our clothes. So I did try that, and man, was I not impressed.

So what you need to do is:

Use a full cup of white vinegar (not apple cider or any other type of vinegar) in each wash load instead of fabric softener.

What the vinegar does is that it acts as a natural fabric softener, and if you are worried about the smell, then don’t be, as it will completely disappear after the rinse cycle.

Here is why I suggest and love this idea:

1. White vinegar (not apple cider vinegar) is very inexpensive.
2. White vinegar not only removes hard water deposits on your clothes but also inside your washing machine.
3. If you do not like the fragrance of a fabric softener, then it this a win-win situation for you to use white vinegar.
4. White vinegar also protects the colours of your clothes. Bright colours stay fresh and bright and do not fade away.

Can you put a fabric softener where laundry detergent needs to go into the laundry machine?

No, you cannot, and here is why.

Some washing machines have a laundry detergent compartment but not a fabric softener dispenser. So what happens if we put our fabric softener in the laundry detergent compartment?

The thing with different types of compartments is that the machine uses them at different times during the washing process according to their valuable time.

We use fabric softener to soften our clothes so that they are less stiff and provide them with a bit of electrical conductance to decrease static buildup; hence, they are not meant for cleaning the clothes in any way. As a result, fabric softener is dispensed in the last rinse cycle after most of the detergent is gone.

If you put a fabric softener where laundry detergent typically goes, that would mean that the softener is used in the wash cycle. As a result, your clothes will only get rid of a certain amount of dirt only because of the water and agitation and not the tough stains that were supposed to be removed by the detergent.

And just in case, you switched the two compartments. You put the detergent where the fabric softener was supposed to go and the fabric detergent in the fabric softener one, then which means that you applied conditioner before washing your hair with shampoo first. And that won’t deliver any good results to you. So it would be best if you minded the compartments before putting in the products.

You will have to re-wash your clothes again the right way if something like that happens to you. Moreover, there is nothing to feel stressed about as there is no harm caused to your clothes if something like this happens to you.

Do remember to thoroughly clean the compartments of any residual detergent/ fabric softener in the wrong one.