Have you run out of washing machine detergent? If you can't buy some, replace it as described here
You urgently need to do the laundry and you realize that you are out of detergent for the washing machine. What can you do? Well, perhaps you can find an alternative product in the cupboards...
However, you should be careful when replacing washing machine detergent, as many other detergents are not suitable for use with washing machines or for contact with skin. Even body washes such as shower gel and shampoo are not very suitable, since they could damage your clothes or the washing machine.
If you really need to wash the clothes and don't want to resort to hand washing, there are some alternatives you can use if you're out of regular laundry detergent.
So, what are these alternatives? Well, keep reading:
What risks are there by using the wrong washing machine detergent?
Washing machine detergent is specially formulated for washing machines and is should be used exclusively in these appliances.
For this reason you must be very careful when replacing it, otherwise you could run a number of risks:
- Household detergents such as dishwashing liquid produce a lot of foam and even a small amount of these products can produce an excessive amount of foam during the wash cycle, causing the detergent to remain on the fabrics, (which will then harden). But not only this: the drum will inevitably fill up with foam until it overflows, forcing you to wipe it up off the bathroom floor, while the pumps and drains in the machine could be damaged. Finally, these detergents are excessively aggressive when in contact with the skin and could cause irritation or trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.
- Body cleansers such as shower gels and shampoos are safe for our skin, being specially formulated for this purpose. But they present the same problem as household cleaners regarding the production of foam. Even in this case, small quantities of these products are sufficient to damage the clothes and/or the washing machine.
How to substitute laundry detergent
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There are some effective alternatives to washing machine detergent and you probably have these at home:
The first is Marseille soap, which has always been used for hand washing and is therefore perfect for use in washing machines. You can use it as a pre-treatment by rubbing a moistened stick directly on a stain and it can also be used in washing machine by putting a quantity of soap flakes into the drum.
Bicarbonate of soda can also be a good substitute for washing machine detergent: just add 2 tablespoons directly into the washing machine's drum.
If, however, you want to try preparing a "proper" laundry detergent, you can boil 100 grams of soap flakes until they are completely dissolved, then add 50 grams of bicarbonate (and if you have it at home, also add 50 grams of washing soda) and mix, then blend with a blender. This detergent can be poured into the dispenser tray or directly into the drum (but it is best not to use it on wool, silk and delicate fabrics).
Finally, remember that if your laundry is not particularly dirty, just water and the mechanical action of the washing machine will be enough to clean it.