Does 2-in-1 detergent foam, and which drawer compartment does it go in?
Quick answer: yes, 2-in-1 detergent still foams because it contains cleaning agents like any detergent. Pour it into the main wash compartment, not the softener compartment (the one with a flower symbol). Front-loaders need a low-foam detergent at the right dose.
Why does 2-in-1 detergent foam?
It contains two groups of ingredients: cleaning agents (surfactants) and softening and fragrance ingredients. Surfactants foam when mixed with water and agitated in the drum. How much depends on the formula and the dose, and more foam does not mean cleaner clothes.
Which compartment?
Front-loaders usually have a three-part drawer:
| Compartment | Use for |
|---|---|
| I (or “Prewash”) | Detergent for the prewash |
| II (or “Main wash”) | Detergent / 2-in-1 detergent for the main wash |
| Flower symbol | Fabric softener |
Top-loaders: pour into the detergent compartment at the top of the drum, or dissolve detergent in the water before adding clothes if there is no compartment.
Symbols vary by brand, so check your machine’s manual.
Why not the softener compartment?
The machine only draws from the softener compartment in the final rinse. Put 2-in-1 detergent there and the cleaning agents arrive after the wash is over, foaming in the rinse and not rinsing out, which can leave clothes sticky. A 2-in-1 detergent needs to go in at the start of the cycle.
If the softener compartment keeps holding liquid, see: Why isn’t the fabric softener draining?
Too much foam?
- Use less next time, especially for small loads.
- Front-loaders: heavy foam makes rinsing take longer and can trigger an error. Use a low-foam detergent made for front-loaders.
- Run an extra rinse if clothes still feel slippery.
Which to choose for your machine
- Top-loaders and hand washing: a 2-in-1 detergent such as SPY Ultra Clean Plus, concentrated, washing and softening in one step, 50–70ml for 5–7kg.
- Front-loaders: the low-foam SPY Matic range, Ultra Clean Matic and Deep Clean Matic. See also: Detergent for front-loading machines
Read next: Can top-loader detergent be used in a front-loader?
Reviewed by: Vu Hoang Nam
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