Accidents can occur with washing machines, despite them being commonly used household appliances. One common mistake is accidentally putting floor cleaner in the washing machine instead of detergent.
If you’ve done the same, this blog post will explore what to do now if you accidentally put floor cleaner in your washing machine.
As floor cleaner contains harsh chemicals that can damage your machine and clothes. You will need to immediately remove it from the detergent drawer or added-load. Run a cycle to rinse out any remaining cleaner, after that clean the drum by running another hot water cycle.
Let’s dive deeper into the guide on floor cleaner in washing machines accidentally.
Table of Contents
Can You Put Floor Cleaner in a Washing Machine?
Practically, you should never put any floor cleaner in a washing machine. This cleaning solution is not made for washing clothes, even not used in appliances. Most floor cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can ruin your machine and clothes.
All Washing machines are designed to work with specific types of detergents. You should use a cleaner that is formulated to clean clothes without causing damage.
So, Using a floor cleaner in a washing machine can also void your warranty and may result in costly repairs.
If you forget to add detergent and instead already added the floor cleaner to the detergent drawer, read the next section.
Delicate and normal fabrics can be affected by getting washed with floor cleaner. Always pay attention whenever you add the cleaner to your washer.
What to Do If Floor Cleaner in Washing Machine?
You probably have accidentally put floor cleaner in your washing machine. No need to panic, there are some steps you can take to prevent any possible negative outcome. You should immediately take these steps, and should not let them be done later.
Here’s what you can do when there is floor cleaner added to the washing machine:
- First of all, you should stop your machine immediately, even if you notice the mistake early enough or in mid-cycle.
- Now wipe away any excess cleaner with a clean cloth in the detergent drawer. If there is any excess cleaner in the washing machine, remove it as soon as possible.
- Next, run a cold water cycle in the machine to rinse out any remaining cleaner.
- Once you have rinsed out the machine, run another cycle with hot water and a cup of white vinegar to help remove any remaining residue.
- If you have already put your clothes in the machine with the cleaner, you should wash them again with a detergent that is safe for your clothes.
Next time, don’t place the floor cleaner in your laundry area to prevent this mistake from repeating again.
Can We Wash Clothes with a Floor Cleaner?
No, you should never wash clothes with a floor cleaner. Get a suitable detergent according to the fabric. It is not recommended to use a floor cleaner instead of detergent as it contains harsh chemicals that can damage your clothes and cause skin irritation.
In addition, it is possible that floor cleaner may not rinse out completely from your clothes. Floor clear produces extra suds residue than needed.
Even if we talk about using detergent in place of floor cleaner, it isn’t recommended. In simple words, we can’t use detergent in place of floor cleaner, and floor cleaner instead of detergent.
Both contain different chemicals and are designed for their unique work.
| Property | Clothes Washing Detergent | Floor Cleaner |
| Function | Cleans clothes and other fabrics | Cleans floors and surfaces |
| Chemical composition | May contain surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents, fragrances, and other additives | May contain surfactants, solvents, pH adjusters, and other additives |
| pH | Usually slightly alkaline to help dissolve dirt and stains | Usually alkaline to help dissolve dirt and grime |
| Usage | Used to clean clothes, towels, sheets, and other fabrics | Primarily used to clean floors, but may also be used on other surfaces |
| Safety | Can be harmful if ingested or if it comes into contact with the eyes or skin | Can also be harmful if ingested or if it comes into contact with the eyes or skin |
| Environmental impact | Can contain ingredients that are harmful to the environment, such as phosphates and non-biodegradable surfactants | May also contain ingredients that are harmful to the environment, but many newer formulations are designed to be more eco-friendly |
If you want to know the chemical details of detergent and floor cleaner. Below we’ve covered that.
Chemical Details of Clothes Washing Detergents:
Clothes-washing detergents are typically made up of a combination of surfactants (surface-active agents), enzymes, bleaching agents, fragrances, and other additives.
Sciencefictly, Surfactants help to break down and remove dirt, oil, and sweat from fabrics. Whereas enzymes break down and remove organic stains such as food and grass stains.
Bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite, can help to remove stains and brighten fabrics.
Chemical Details of Floor Cleaners:
Floor cleaners are typically made up of a combination of surfactants, solvents, pH adjusters, and other additives.
Surfactants in floor cleaning solutions break down and remove dirt and grime from floors. And solvents help dissolve stubborn stains such as grease and oil.
pH adjusters are added to ensure that the cleaner has the correct pH level to effectively clean the surface without damaging it.
Some floor cleaners may also contain antibacterial agents to help kill germs and bacteria on the floor.
Conclusion
If you accidentally or intentionally put floor cleaners in your washing machine, this can be a serious problem. However, if you have done this accidentally, it’s important to take action quickly to minimize the damage.
If you follow the steps outlined in this blog post, you can help prevent the effect of floor cleaner on your machine and clothes.
Remember, never put floor cleaner in your washing machine, and always use a detergent that is safe for your clothes.