2007-07-09 11:48:18 · 25 answers · asked by Sam 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
According to Martha Stewart, it is detergent first, then clothes. "After adding detergent, add the clothes, distributing them evenly and loosely. Even a large load should be only about three-quarters full, so clothes can move."
2007-07-09 12:04:48 · answer #1 · answered by heartsonfire 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I put the soap in, turn on the water, and then add the clothes. I think the water hitting the soap dissolves the soap and makes the best suds that way, esp if I happen to be using powdered soap.
But if the clothes are clean, I guess both ways are working.
Ya know, I went to put a load in after I answered this, and realized actually I turn on the water, then pour the soap right into the spot where the water hits the tub, then rinse out the cap the detergent was in with the water (keeps from having those nasty drips down the bottle). Then add the clothes. So of course I think this is the best way, but again, if your clothes are clean and not damaged, whatever you are doing is working.
2007-07-09 12:03:35 · answer #2 · answered by ice_skaters_mom 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You're right...as long as you're putting the soap in, then turning the water on, THEN putting the clothes in. The dirty clothes absorb the soap better when it has been diluted a bit by the water. If you just put the soap all over the top of the clothes, it's not going to disperse into the clothes. A husband (I'm assuming) who does laundry...now I like the sound of that.
2007-07-09 12:02:50 · answer #3 · answered by Reedo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I put some water in first then add the soap then the clothes.
I don*t pour soap on the clothes because I feel like yu get a lot of soap on just a few clothes and since there were times I used to find spots on my clothes when I put the soap on top of the clothes so I agree wtih you..
same way with softener, in fact most clothes softener say on the bottle not to pour onto cloethes as it may spot them
2007-07-09 11:56:02 · answer #4 · answered by llittle mama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Laundry soap needs to go in first allowing the water to dilute the color and mix, then the clothes. If you add the soap after, you will wind up with color staining from the soaps since for some reason, they mostly seem to be blue. Have never figured out why the blue color but it can and will discolor your clothes.
2007-07-09 13:02:18 · answer #5 · answered by dawnb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On top is right. If it is underneath the clothes then it is sitting straight above the water inlets. This will soak the soap and drain it into the inlet thus removing a lot of the soap before the cleaning cycle starts. Especially as it will also have the weight of the wash load on top of it. If it is on top of the clothes the water will mix the soap into the clothes and distribute it properly during the cycle.
2007-07-09 11:54:08 · answer #6 · answered by ahoneyaugust 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used to put the soap on top until my granulated soap powders got trapped in the creases of some jeans and left a powdery mess. I also put liquid detergent on top of clothes once that were not covered in water...I have a red tee shirt that still has dark blue stains where the detergent hit it.
definitely, soap and water...clothes last.
2007-07-13 08:20:21 · answer #7 · answered by southerngifts4u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it doesn't really matter but I always put the soap in first and then the clothes. That way the soap gets distributed through out the water first and doesn't stain my clothes.
2007-07-09 11:51:52 · answer #8 · answered by Nichole 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the type of soap you use, powder or liquid, and what type of abrasives the detergent has. For instance, if you had a powder, you may want to put into water first to break-down from powder to liquid to dissolve to distribute soap evenly. A liquid could be done this same way. We do things differently usually according to the "make-up" of the detergent. Examples: Tide detergents contain enzymes that help break down oils, foods and most other mild stains= ok to add to wash most any time. #2: Oxy-type products tend to be more abrasive and have a more "bleaching/dissolving" type agent that tends to break down tougher stains= dissolve completely first before adding clothes or risk getting "bleaching" type spots. I've tried this myself. So, I hope this helps and you still share the chores together!:>)
2007-07-09 12:11:58 · answer #9 · answered by cyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a woman and I put the soap in last. That way I know just how much soap to put in with the load that I'm cleaning.
2007-07-12 21:10:29 · answer #10 · answered by Rochelle N 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a matter of preference. I put the clothes in, start the water, then add the soap. To each his/her own.
2007-07-09 11:57:34 · answer #11 · answered by crazykaro 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋