It’s happened to all of us at one time or another.

You’re in a hurry, you forget to put the detergent in the washing machine, but you only realize after looking through the washer’s glass door that there’s absolutely no sign of suds.

Oops! You remember that probably forgot to put detergent in your laundry.

And then you’re suddenly in a state of dilemma.

Should you put detergent in and run another cycle again or should you simply go ahead with draining and starting the spin cycle.

Here is what to do if you forgot to put detergent in the washer:

You can either add your detergent in the middle of the wash cycle, rerun the cycle again with detergent, or simply ignore and continue with your spinning and drying depending on the type of washer and your personal preference.

In this article, we will explain in detail everything you need to know when you forget to add detergent to your washing machine.

So fasten your belt and let’s dive in.

Forgot to put detergent in washing machine? (The 2 scenarios)

You are reading this article because you probably forgot to add detergent to your washer when you started the cycle.

Or you’re just curious and wondering what would happen if you ever forget to add soap to your laundry.

So you may ask, ”What happens if you forgot to put detergent in the washer?”

Actually, there are 2 scenarios you could be caught in.

We are going to tackle these two scenarios separately since they would require quite different sets of actions you need to take.

Scenario 1

You realized you didn’t add detergent when the washing machine had reached somewhere mid-cycle.

On a good day, you may remember in the middle of the cycle that you didn’t add detergent to the washer.

Because you would realize by looking at the transparent glass window that there is no detergent because there isn’t any suds forming.

In top load washing machines, it’s usually possible to open the top lid and add the detergent mid-cycle when the wash cycle has already begun.

So if you realize in the middle of the cycle that you didn’t add detergent, you can open the lid and add the right amount of detergent as recommended by your manufacturer.

In front load washing machines, you put either the liquid or powder detergent in the detergent dispenser rather than directly in the drum.

Water enters your drum by passing through the detergent dispenser where it washes the detergent into the drum.

Once your drum is not completely filled with water, you can add detergent to the dispenser in the middle of a wash cycle and rinse it down the drum with a cup of water.

Or you could let allow the water supply to pump in little water into the drum and by so, it will wash in the detergent.

If your washer is completely filled with water, you may not be able to add more.

In that case, you can drain your washer to reduce the water level and apply the procedure described above.

Scenario 2

You only realized you didn’t add detergent after the wash cycle was completed.

Maybe you only realized that you didn’t add detergent to your washer after you’d completed the wash cycle.

So the question is, should you add detergent and run the cycle again, or should you just go ahead with your laundry disregarding the fact that you didn’t use detergent?

Well, it depends, you may have to run the cycle again with detergent again or you could proceed without running the cycle again.

If your clothes appear clean and unsmelly, then it’s like the water alone was able to clean your clothes.

This will often be the case if your clothes weren’t soiled with dirt and sweat.

In that case, you can simply proceed with your laundry and transfer your clothes to your dryer.

Moreover, clothes sometimes retain some of the detergents used to wash them even after rising.

So these detergent traces could still play a role when you forget to add any detergent into the wash cycle.

Especially if the clothes aren’t very dirty.

On the contrary, if you see that after the wash cycle your clothes still have stains on them it means that you need to put detergent in and run the cycle again.

This will ensure that your clothes are well cleaned.

Related article: Where to put detergent in whirlpool washing machine

Why did I forget to put detergent in my washing machine?

The most common reason why you probably forgot to put detergent in the washing machine is simply that you got distracted and forgot.

It’s easy to get sidetracked when you are starting your laundry and forget the fact that you need to add soap.

Other reasons could be that you are not used to doing your laundry by yourself and you simply forget because you’ve never done it before or very often.

Moreover, if you are using a washing machine for the first time, you may not be familiar with how it works and where you need to add the detergent.

So these are some of the reasons why people forget to put detergent in their washing machine.

If you find yourself forgetting to add detergent regularly, it might help to set a reminder on your phone or put a note somewhere visible as a reminder to add soap before starting your laundry.

Can I add detergent mid-cycle?

Yes, you can add detergent mid-cycle, but there are a number of factors that can make this possible.

In front load washing machines, it is usually not possible to open the top door and add the detergent mid-cycle when the wash cycle has already begun.

So if you realize in the middle of the cycle that you forgot to add detergent, you may have to wait until the cycle is finished and then restart the cycle with detergent.

But you can add detergent into your front load washer through the dispenser and wash it down into the drum provided your washer is not completely filled.

However, in top-load washing machines, it is possible to open the top lid mid-cycle and add detergent.

When is detergent dispensed in a washing machine?

In most washing machines, there is a designated compartment for detergents that is usually at the front or top of the washer.

The detergent dispenser releases the detergent into the wash water during the appropriate phase of the wash cycle.

However, some washing machines have a different system.

The water and detergent are then dispensed onto the clothes from this cup during the appropriate phase of the wash cycle.

Be sure to consult your user’s manual to see how and when the detergent is dispensed.

Can you put detergent straight into washing machine?

Yes, you can put detergent straight into the washing machine.

Most detergents come in a powder form and all you have to do is pour it directly into the washing machine.

But due to either using too much or too little detergent, it is always advisable to use the dispenser compartments of your washer.

This automatically dispenses the detergent into the drum in the right quantity and at the right time.

That way, it ensures you are using the right amount of detergent for your laundry.

Does washing clothes without detergent work?

Technically, your washing machine will work perfectly without adding any detergent.

Detergents are added to laundry for the purpose of breaking down and removing dirt and grime from clothes.

Not adding detergent to your laundry means that your clothes are not going to have the effect that detergents cause. And they may not be well cleaned of dirt and stains like a detergent would have done.

Aside from that, your washing machine will work with just water without adding any detergent.

Frequestly Asked Questions

Is laundry detergent really necessary?

Laundry detergent is not strictly necessary for washing clothes. However, it does help to remove dirt and grime from clothes more effectively than water alone.

So if you want your clothes to be as clean as possible, laundry detergent is a good idea.

How much detergent should I use?

The amount of detergent you should use depends on a number of factors, including the type of detergent, the size of your load, and the level of dirtiness of your clothes.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the detergent bottle to ensure that you are using the right amount.

Can I use dish soap to wash my clothes?

Yes, you can use dish soap to wash your clothes. However, it is important to note that dish soap is not the same as laundry detergent.

Dish soap is designed to remove grease and food particles from dishes, while laundry detergent is specifically designed to remove dirt and grime from clothing.

So if you use dish soap to wash your clothes, they may not come out as clean as they would if you had used laundry detergent.

Can you wash clothes with only water?

Yes, you can wash clothes with only water.

However, it is important to note that water alone will not remove all the dirt and grime from your clothes.

If you only just want to run your clothes through the washer to rinse them then you can absolutely do that with only water.

I forgot to put a pod in the washing machine, can I add it now?

If you forgot to put a pod in your washing machine and the cycle has already started, you can try to pause the cycle and open the door.

Then, add the pod and close the door. The cycle should resume where it left off.

As we discussed in this article.

If you are not able to pause the cycle or open the door, you will need to wait until the cycle is finished before adding the pod.

Conclusion

Whether you realized during mid-cycle that you didn’t add detergent to your washer, or you only realized after the cycle had ended, you know exactly what to do.

All you need to do is follow the procedures and tips we have outlined in this article and you are good to go.

Feel free to leave your comment below this article.