Can I wash shower gel in the washing machine?

Is it possible to wash shower gel in a washing machine? Sometimes the powder suddenly runs out in the middle of washing, and the eye involuntarily falls on the shampoo or shower gel. The second option is especially attractive, as its aroma and texture are strongly reminiscent of a delicate detergent. Moreover, the liquid is designed for the body, which means it cleanses well, eliminates odor and does not cause allergies. But is it safe to wash things with shower gel in a machine or by hand? The opinions of housewives and specialists are presented below.

Will the clothes be damaged?

Shower gel is a flavored liquid soap, supplemented with various fragrances, softening and toning components. It foams strongly, smells delicious, and often has an antibacterial and mild whitening effect. There seems to be nothing stopping you from adding it to your washing machine or a bowl of water as a detergent. But this is not true - it is strongly not recommended to use it for washing.

Washing with shower gel is unsafe for several reasons. Moreover, both clothes and the washing machine will be under attack.

Foam. Laundry cleaning products must contain defoamers, which reduce foaming of the powder. There is no such component in a regular gel, which creates a danger for the machine and things. Firstly, excess foam “comes out” of the tank and floods the control panel. Secondly, heavily soaped laundry is not rinsed completely.
Active formula. The base of the shower gel is liquid soap, which is not capable of thoroughly cleaning the item in a short cycle. The powder has a thoughtful and balanced composition with enzymes, activators, bleaches, softeners and other cleaning components. All this helps not only to remove difficult stains, but also to reduce water hardness, make the laundry smooth, enhance color and protect the fabric from re-contamination.
Hazardous components. The gel contains many substances that are risky for clothes and the washing machine - fragrances, dyes, flavors, scrubbing and anti-aging elements. Oils and creams are often added to the liquid, which are difficult to rinse out and remain on the walls of the machine parts.

Shower gels, unlike powders, foam a lot - the soap will not rinse out completely and will begin to “flood” the washing machine.

It’s not for nothing that manufacturers differentiate between cosmetics and household chemicals. Most shower gels and shampoos, despite their similar consistency and pleasant smell, are not suitable for automatic and hand washing. It is better to look for a special detergent, and if it is not available, take liquid soap or dish gel.

We use it in the machine

Pouring shower gel into the washing machine is too risky. But if there is no other option, then after weighing all the pros and cons, you can try your luck. The main thing is not to ignore several important rules:

add the gel to the largest compartment of the powder receptacle, marked “B” or “II”;
monitor the dosage of the drug;
do not pour liquid directly onto clothes (it is better to splash it on the bottom of an empty drum, rinse with clean water and load things);
Do not wash heavily soiled clothes with the gel, as it will not cope with old and difficult stains;
refuse gels with dyes if white and light-colored laundry is washed;
additionally use bleach, stain remover and water softener;
choose a long-term program with water heating from 30 degrees (delicate, cotton, synthetics);
run a double rinse to rinse the detergent from the fibers;
After washing, run a quick “idle” cycle to wash away soap deposits from the parts of the washer.

Shower gel does not rinse well, so it is necessary to rinse again.

When washing with gel, it is better not to move far from the washing machine, but to monitor the foam formation. If foam seeps out through the hatch door profusely, you should immediately stop the cycle and start rinsing. Do not allow water and soap to get on the machine's dashboard - otherwise the system will break down.

Is shower gel effective?

gel in large compartment Washing body gel in the washing machine is a bad idea. But for quick manual cleaning, this option is quite acceptable, especially if things just need to be refreshed. In this case, the soft and pleasant-smelling texture will do the job perfectly.

The use of “flesh” gel is also justified when washing delicate fabrics. Woolen and silk items do not like aggressive powder cleaning, and an abundance of foam, on the contrary, will more carefully remove dirt and odor.

Gels with dyes are suitable for washing colored laundry. The main thing is to correlate the pigment of the liquid with the shade of the clothing and remember the temperature regime - no more than 40 degrees.

Each detergent has its own task: powders are good at whitening, and shower gels guarantee a soft and pleasant cleansing of the skin. Changing one for another is risky.