Where to Put Bleach in the Washing Machine: Avoid Laundry Disasters

I've been repairing washing machines for over a decade and have seen real disasters caused by misused bleach: from clothes full of holes to door seals that disintegrate like gum. Bleach is a potent chemical, and while it's wonderful for whitening and disinfecting, it must be treated with respect.

One of the most frequent questions customers ask me at LaColada is: "Hey, where exactly do you put the bleach? Is the softener slot okay?". The short answer is NO. The long answer, the one that will save your clothes and your washing machine, I explain below with full technician detail.

The Treasure Map: Identifying the Drawer

Before pouring anything, open your washing machine drawer. You will normally see three or four slots. Each has a mission and a time of entry into the wash cycle.

1. The Triangle (△) or "CL" Compartment

If your washing machine is modern or mid-to-high range, it likely has a specific compartment for bleach. Look for a triangle symbol or the letters CL (for Chlorine). It's usually a small slot, sometimes with a little lid or a removable plastic piece.

What to do? If you have it, use it! Pour the bleach there up to the "MAX" mark. The machine will take care of diluting it and releasing it at the exact moment (usually in the first rinse or at the end of the main wash) so it doesn't damage the clothes.

2. Compartment II (Main Wash)

This is the largest slot, where you usually put the detergent. If your washing machine does NOT have a triangle compartment, this is your plan B.

How to do it? Never pour pure bleach. Mix it with the liquid detergent or, better yet, dilute it in a glass of water before pouring it into this drawer. This way it will enter the drum already mixed and won't burn the first garment it touches.

3. The Flower Compartment (Softener)

This is the FORBIDDEN ZONE for bleach. Softener is released in the final rinse and stays on the clothes (it doesn't rinse out). If you put bleach here, you will be putting it on your skin when you dress, plus the smell of chlorine will be unbearable and will yellow the clothes when dried in the sun.

Can I pour it directly into the drum?

As a technician, I say: you can, but it's like playing Russian roulette with your clothes.

If you pour pure bleach onto a pile of dry clothes, the garments receiving the direct stream will suffer an immediate chemical burn. On colored clothes, an irreversible orange/white spot will appear. On white clothes, the fabric will weaken until it tears in a couple of washes.

If you have no choice:

1. Start the washing machine without clothes and wait for it to load water.
2. Open the drawer and pour the diluted bleach through compartment II so it mixes with the drum water.
3. Or, dilute the bleach in a bucket of water and pour it inside the drum BEFORE putting the clothes in.

Common Mistakes I See in the Workshop

• Mixing bleach and ammonia: Never, under any circumstances. It produces toxic gases (chloramines) that can severely damage your lungs.
• Using bleach in every wash: Bleach is corrosive. Using it daily damages the washing machine seals, causing water leaks in the long run. Reserve it for very dirty or white clothes that need disinfection.
• Bleach on clothes with elastic: Bleach "eats" elastane. If you wash underwear or socks with bleach regularly, the elastic will give way and break quickly.

The Professional Alternative: Active Oxygen

At LaColada Self-Service Laundry Ponferrada, we use automatic dosing systems with active oxygen instead of traditional bleach for most washes. Why?

• It disinfects just as well.
• It doesn't damage colors (safe for colored clothes).
• It doesn't ruin fibers or washing machine seals.
• It is more eco-friendly.

If you want to know more about this alternative, I recommend reading our article on how to restore whiteness.