My husband and I bought our front loading washer and dryer in November of 2007 – a whopping five years ago. When I was a faithful coupon shopper, I bought detergent bottles where the top is screwed back on after use. Those are the detergent bottles that hold anywhere from 32-64 loads.
However, I haven’t coupon shopped since I had our fourth baby {oh the shame!}. And since my laundry life is a little on the high-maintenance side, I buy laundry detergent in the bulk-size containers exclusively now.
Since I’ve started using the bulk dispenser, my detergent cup consistently looks like this:
Awful, isn’t it?
Imagine my sheer delight when I removed the cup from a brand new detergent bottle and just happened to look at the bottom. The cup states very clearly: Toss in wash or rinse and let dry.
Say what? My little detergent cup has looked disgusting on my beautifully organized washer top for the past two years?!
Just throw the detergent cup in with the load of clothes.
That’s laundry life changing information right there!
A Word of Caution About Your Laundry Detergent Cup
If you’re like me and this is brand new information, let me give you a word of caution: don’t throw the cup in with the wash every single time. Only throw it in every 3-4 loads.
Front loading washers spin at extremely high speeds. After washing my detergent cup repeatedly, it did warp and look like it wouldn’t make it to the end of the laundry bottle. So be cautious in just haphazardly throwing it in the wash every single load.
Which Detergent Has These Washable Cups?
While doing a monthly shopping trip at BJ’s this past weekend, I looked at all of the detergents in the laundry aisle. All of the major brands – Tide, Arm & Hammer, All, Gain, Era – seem to have a cup that can be washed in the machine.
The brand name bulk fabric softeners – Downy, Gain, Snuggle – also contained this washable wonder cup.
So did you know? Did you know those little cups can be thrown in the washing machine with the dirty clothes?
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I had no idea it was printed right on there! My mum passed on that trick to me a year or two ago. My only difficulty is remembering not to put it in the dryer. 🙂
I have been doing it for years. Not because I read the back of the cup. Just made sense to me.
I have always wondered how to keep that cup clean and I have never thought to read the lid. Thanks so much! Now I don’t have to look at a nasty laundry cup! 🙂
Another tip: wipe it out with one of the pieces of clothing you just put in the washer… no waste and no dirty cap…
Yes! Smart. 😉
Need extra detergent on a tough spot? Use that tough spot to wipe out the cup.
YES! Perfect solution!
I just rinse out my cup under the fill spout in the washer while it is filling up with water 🙂
Yes, one of the joys of a top-loader!
I worry about it “beating up” my clothes if I throw it in with them. Is that a valid concern?
Hey Mishelle! Honestly, I’ve been doing this for years and it’s never occurred to me that might be an issue! In my experience, I’ve put the cup in with every load, including my super delicates, and I’ve never had a problem with the cup causing any damage.
But definitely do NOT toss it in there if you have qualms about it! Better to have a messy cup than ruined clothes, IMO. 😉
-Lauren
I did that for years. I saw my MIL do it and thought it was a great idea. It also made it into the dryer several times and never seemed to be damaged, but I don’t recommend that.
Now I only use liquid laundry soap when I have super oily laundry or to treat stains. I’ve found that I like the way soap nuts work and the cost is much better than the liquid.
I love using the bulk detergent. I always rinse out my cup in the water that is filling up the washer and mine has always looked clean. I just keep rinsing until clean and you have the perfect place and lots of force with the water filling up the washer.
I learned that was possible about 12 years ago on accident when I was still learning about laundry and pulled out a load to dry with cup in tow. It’s way less complicated to let it rinse out in the pour water from fill spout if you are concerned about the cup shape, But if that doesn’t wring out your panties just drop the cup in as needed or seems reasonable.
I always save my reusable caps from the bottle before and I rotate through so I use two cups at a time, one goes in the wash and the other is on stand-by for the next wash. It saves the cups from warping too much and I can throw in with every wash.
Thank you…I was very much wondering about this topic. I had to search quite a bit to find your post. Exactly what I was looking for. My MIL has been doing it, as many others have stated, but I was never really sure.
WOOP There it is…right on the cup….duh!
I wipe the cup out with a dirty sock, etc., and have solved the problem that way!
I have been wiping the cup clean with a dirty sock, etc., to keep the cup tidy and spot clean whatever was needing it. Oops, I see Jenn R does the same as I.
Yes. Havd done this for years. Why not?
Yes, I’ve been doing it for years now!! The first time i used the large detergent bottles and poured in the liquid I thought this is just nasty! I don’t have to wash quite a much as most of you, but the vision of dried, harden detergent in that cup, upset me so in it went! Wonderful idea, and it has landed in the dryer a time or two by mistake! No damage or warping!
I just had to replace my front loader washing machine. The repair man recommended not using liquids in front loaders. He said with his repair experience he repairs more front loaders that have been used with liquid detergent rather than with powder or laundry sheets. I tried every cleaning method possible in my washing machine and it just kept happening. I really do not like using powder because of the mess. But I thought I would have to result in this because of my problem. I tried pods but i have grandkids and I have read many horrible issues of accidents. i also had a problem with the leftover sticking to my clothes. So i have resulted in laundry sheets. I think I am also saving money doing this. Purex makes one I have purchased on amazon and also Washeze laundry sheets. I think I have solved my problem. No more liquids for me.
Thanks so much for leaving your suggestion! I agree with the pods – more trouble than they’re worth!
The laundry detergent sheets are less messy and they’re quite convenient.
-Lauren
Thank you for this 🙏🏾! I had no idea literally my least favorite part of laundry.
LOL! My husband has always tossed those cups in our front loader. It would drive me nuts, and I would “fuss” at him all the time. His response has always been, but you are “supposed” to toss them in with the wash. He is so vindicated. I had to laugh when reading this. Thanks for sharing! I won’t have to fuss at my hubby anymore. AND I will tell him how right he was.
Oh you’re a good wife for telling him he was right! Haha! 🙂
You must be from the South. I’m born and raised in NC, and I “fuss” too. 😉 Your comment made me smile!
xo, Lauren
This is a life saver. I was just thinking about this a month ago. Problem solved!
WoW! Thank you so much!!! This is just the information I need! Tremendous help to my daily laundry life! Really Thanks!!! : )
I am so glad, Dinah! xo, Lauren
I have about 20 of these caps that I keep in the washer always. With my new top loader, the cycles are longer so if I do a quick cycle, I feel that I am still getting good agitation to clean the clothes better in less time.