Washing machine: what is the right detergent compartment for?

Created: 06/28/2022, 18:02

By: Andrea Stettner

The washing machine turns out to be a mystery again and again.

What is the right detergent compartment actually for - and when do I need it?

Add washing powder, select a suitable program - and dirty clothes in the washing machine are wonderfully fresh and clean again.

But it is often not quite that simple: with the large number of programs such as cotton, easy-care or even the short wash program, most people probably do not have an overview of which wash program would actually be the right one.

Even the

raises a few questions.

Most devices have three detergent compartments.

While the actual detergent goes into the left detergent compartment - be it washing powder or liquid detergent - many people wonder what the right detergent compartment is used for?

Detergent is usually placed in the left compartment of the washing machine - but what is the right compartment for?

© YAY Images/Imago

Right detergent compartment: Only necessary for prewash

The right-hand detergent compartment of the washing machine is intended for the

(identification: I or 1).

The prewash is an additional washing program for particularly heavily soiled clothing with stubborn stains, such as work clothes, garden clothes or cleaning utensils.

If necessary, proceed as follows:

• Pour

  detergent

  or special detergent into the right compartment.

  It doesn't matter whether it's in liquid or powder form.

• Select the "Prewash" button

  on your washing machine

  .

• A pre-wash usually takes 20 minutes.

  The clothes are pre-washed at a washing temperature of 30 degrees.

However, this is not necessary for normally soiled clothing - the prewash is therefore only rarely used.

It is better to pre-treat stubborn stains such as chocolate by hand anyway.

This is how you save electricity in the household, because older washing machines in particular turn out to be real power guzzlers again and again.

These washing tips from grandma are a thing of the past

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Washing machine: That's why there are different compartments for detergent

But why are there different detergent compartments at all?

This is due to the operation of the washing machine: depending on the washing phase of the appliance

.

In the first phase, the detergent compartment for the prewash is emptied, followed by the left compartment, which contains the detergent for the main wash.

Last is the middle compartment for the fabric softener (marked: III or flower).

If the right compartment of the washing machine remains empty, water will still flow through the compartment.

(as)