Choosing the right detergent for your laundry isn’t just about cleaning your clothes. It’s also about keeping your washing machine in top shape. Different detergents can have varied impacts on the performance and lifespan of your appliances.
Some detergents might cause buildup and clogs, while others could lead to excessive wear and tear, so understanding their effects is crucial! Luckily, your pals at Dick Van Dyke Appliance World have you covered. Let’s explore how different detergents affect your laundry appliances and determine which ones are best for your machines.
Liquid Detergents
Liquid detergents are popular for their ease of use and effectiveness on oily and greasy stains. However, using too much can lead to a sticky residue buildup in the detergent drawers, hoses, and drum, which attracts dirt and grime and eventually leads to blockages that strain the pump and motor. So, to prevent that, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Measure Carefully: Always use the recommended amount of detergent as indicated on the packaging or by your washing machine manufacturer.
- Regular Cleaning: Run a monthly cleaning cycle with an empty load and a machine cleaner to remove detergent residue and prevent buildup.
- Use the Correct Cycle: Use the appropriate wash cycle and temperature settings to ensure the detergent dissolves properly and rinses completely.
- Check for Residue: Regularly inspect detergent drawers and hoses for residue buildup and clean them as needed.
Pro Tip:
If the cleaning cycle doesn’t work on the buildup, you’ll need to call the pros (like our team!) to take a look!
Powder Detergent
Powder detergents are generally cheaper and effective on ground-in dirt, but they can leave undissolved particles, especially in cold water. These particles can settle in the drum, detergent drawer, and pipes, leading to buildup and blockages reducing the efficiency of your machine!
Thankfully, you can avoid the issues by dissolving the powder in a small amount of warm water before adding it to the machine (especially when running cold water cycles!). And don’t forget to properly measure your detergent and regularly clean your machine!
Pod Detergents
Pod detergents offer the convenience of pre-measured doses and less mess, but they may not dissolve fully in cold water. When this happens, it leaves a film of detergent on the clothes and inside the machine, usually on the drum, door seal, drain pump filter, and hoses. Some of the chemicals can degrade rubber seals and hoses to the point of causing washer leaks, so to prevent that, try these steps:
- Use Warm Water: Ensure the washing cycle uses warm or hot water to help pods dissolve completely, or the warmest setting the care tag on your clothes recommends).
- Proper Loading: Place pods in the drum before adding clothes to allow them to dissolve better.
- Regular Cleaning: Run a monthly cleaning cycle with an empty load and a machine cleaner to remove residue and prevent buildup.
- Inspect Regularly: Check the drum and door seals for residue buildup and clean them with a damp cloth.
Pro Tip:
If you notice persistent issues or blockages, it might be time to call appliance techs like us so we can inspect the machine, clean the internal components, and replace any damaged parts!
High-Efficiency (HE) Detergents
High-efficiency (HE) detergents are designed for HE machines with low suds and high concentrations. However, using too much or mixing them with standard detergents can cause problems like excessive suds that strain the machine’s pump motor, causing costly issues. So, it’s crucial you follow these steps instead!
- Measure Carefully: Always use the recommended amount of HE detergent as indicated on the packaging or by your washing machine manufacturer. Using more detergent does not equal cleaner clothes and can cause damage.
- Avoid Mixing Detergents: Do not mix HE detergents with standard detergents. Using standard detergent in an HE machine can cause excessive suds that are difficult to rinse out.
- Use HE Detergent Exclusively: Ensure you are using only HE detergent, as it's formulated to work with the lower water levels and tumbling action of HE washers.
- Run Additional Rinses: If you suspect you've used too much detergent, run an additional rinse cycle to ensure all detergent is washed out.
- Inspect the Dispenser: Regularly check and clean the detergent dispenser drawer to ensure detergent flows properly and doesn't build up, leading to clogs.
Pro Tip:
It’s typically okay to use HE detergents in a standard washer machine in a pinch, but since it produces fewer suds, it might not be as effective in cleaning your clothes!
Sudsy Solutions
Choosing the right detergent is crucial for keeping your laundry appliances in top shape. But if you’re still having issues after following all the steps carefully, it’s time to call in the big guns — our service team at Dick Van Dyke Appliance World ! We can inspect, clean, and repair your appliances to ensure they (and your laundry day) run smoothly.