Tips for powder detergent clumping in the drawer

The weather across the Southern Hemisphere is cooling down. It’s time to pull out your Ugg boots and pile on the winter duvets. And it’s also time for our annual autumn announcement about detergent clumping in the detergent drawer. 

We know that a lot of our Australian members use Biozet powder. By our count, it is the favourite detergent for over a third of our Australian members. If that’s you, this post is especially pertinent.

As the weather cools down, so does the water that runs through the pipes in your household plumbing. Front loaders use ambient water to flush detergent down the detergent drawer. Whether you select a 40°C, 60°C or 90°C cycle, the water that first enters your machine is not heated. In summer, the water is often lukewarm or even hot, but in winter it can drop below 10°C.

With liquid detergent, this doesn’t cause any issues. The liquid will easily flush down the detergent drawer. With most powdered detergents, there are no issues. However, when it comes to our beloved Biozet powder, the amazing concentration of ingredients and lack of fillers mean the detergent is more likely to clump in the dispenser.

This means not as much powder makes it into the washing machine. Worse still, the leftover powder can etch into the plastic of the drawer itself. And once that dries, it can be impossible to completely remove. It is not a machine fault; it is simply the cold weather. 

How to prevent this from happening

If you are dealing with powder clumping in the drawer, whatever the detergent brand, there are a few things you can try.

• Flush with warm water: Manually flush the powder down the detergent drawer with warm water.
• Pre-dissolve: Dissolve the powder with warm water in a separate container before pouring it into the detergent drawer.
• Add directly to the drum: Add the powder detergent or laundry booster directly into the washing machine drum. Do this before you load your clothes or cloth nappies. If some of the detergent falls through the holes in the drum, that is fine.
• Use a container: Place powder into a small, washable container and put it on top of your load in the drum. Silicone measuring containers work especially well.

Important considerations 🤔

• Timing: If you are starting the wash cycle immediately, it does not matter which method you use.
• Delayed starts: Prolonged direct contact with detergent or laundry booster can cause localised bleaching. You should always add the detergent to a container if you are setting a delayed start on your washing machine.

All of these methods mean the powder dissolves directly into the water as the drum fills, keeping the dispenser drawer clean and preventing any buildup. 🙌

PS Want your own Emotional Support Detergent sticker? We have a collection for sale on our Redbubble store. ✨