Have you ever felt a bit confused looking at the washing machine drawer, not completely sure what those three compartments are for? No need to worry, Ariel is here to help. Washing machines may differ, but their drawer parts are all based on the same principles. For specific instructions, always check your washer’s guide, but to have a grasp on what each compartment is for, read on to discover all you need to know about the different compartments of a washing machine and how to make the most of them.
First compartment
This is probably the least used out of all compartments, and it’s called the pre-wash compartment. It’s usually marked as ‘1’ or ‘I’. If your cycle has a pre-wash element that helps remove dirt before the main wash part of the cycle, this compartment is the one you should use for the laundry detergent, like Ariel Matic Washing Powder or Ariel Matic Liquid Laundry Detergent. There are some washers that only have two compartments. If that’s the case, this is the one missing from yours. It means that your machine doesn’t have a cycle that involves a pre-wash element.
Second compartment
Unlike the first compartment, this is the one that you’ll use the most. Also known as the main wash compartment, this is usually labelled as ‘2’ or ‘II’, and this is where you put your laundry detergent when you clean your clothes. Don’t forget to measure the amount of detergent based on what and how much you’re about to wash.
Third compartment
This is the smallest of the compartments, and sometimes it has a different colour too. This is the fabric softener compartment, usually marked as ‘3’ or ‘III’, and this is where you pour the fabric softener, if you want to use some when washing your clothes. When dosing, follow the guide on the bottle, and never exceed the maximum line marked on the side of the compartment.
How to clean a washing machine drawer
To clean your washer’s drawer, take it out by holding the button on the inside of the dispenser and pulling on the drawer, and then submerge it in a bucket of hot water. If that’s not enough to get rid of all the dirt, feel free to add some beach to create a soaking solution. Then use a damp cloth, and wipe the area left empty by the dispenser drawer. Finally, use a toothbrush to give the drawer an extra scrub, then put it back where it belongs. If you want to learn more about the topic, check out our article on how to effectively clean your washing machine and when.