Skip to content
  1. Home/
  2. Sunlight Tips/
  3. Can I Use Hand Washing Powder in a Top Loader
Hero sunlight

Can I Use Hand Washing Powder in a Top Loader

Yellow background with bubbles and shapes
Unsure if you can use hand washing powder in your top loader? Read this guide to find out which top loader washing machine powder you can use and why.

Laundry is one of those household tasks that can seem to never end, especially when you have a busy home. From picking up dirty school shirts and sports socks to packing several pairs of work pants into the washing machine, there are often always loads of laundry loads to be done.

Fortunately, with the wide range of different detergents and washing machine types around, keeping your family’s clothing fresh and stain-free can be easier than ever. But whether you’re using a washer-dryer machine, semi-automatic, front or top loader, to get the most out of your machine, you need to ensure you are using it correctly for spotlessly clean laundry. So to ensure that you can achieve brilliantly clean laundry with every wash, we’re breaking down some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to what detergents you can use in your top loader machine. Let’s dive in!

What is a Top Loader Machine and How Does It Work?

With top loader machines, their name says it all. Top loader washing machines are a type of machine where clothes are loaded into the machine through a door located on the top of the machine. Most top loader machines contain an agitator in the centre of the drum which helps to move the clothes around to clean them.

When it comes to how top loader machines work, during the wash cycle, the machine drum fills with water and the agitator then moves the clothes around to clean them. When it comes to what type of detergent you should use in your top loader machine, the answer is always the same - use a detergent that is specifically formulated for machine washing, like those in the Sunlight Auto range. However, when answering whether you can use hand washing powder in a top loader machine, there’s still a lot of confusion that comes about. So let’s clear things up.

Should You Use Hand Washing Powder in Your Top Loader?

The simple answer is no, you shouldn’t use hand washing detergent in your top loader machine, and here’s why:

  • Hand Washing Powder Equals High Foam - The main difference between hand-washing and auto-washing powders is that hand-washing detergents are formulated to generate more foam to help break down dirt in your laundry items as you wash. So if you were to try and use hand washing powder in your top loader machine, it would result in all that extra foam spilling out of your machine. The foam could end up clogging your machine and causing some serious damage.

  • Hand Washing Powders May Harm Your Top Loader – The formulation of some hand-washing detergents includes ingredients that can wear away at or damage your top loader machine as it washes. That’s why using laundry detergents that are formulated for use in washing machines, like the Sunlight Auto range, is so important not only for stain-free and fresh laundry but to prolong the life of your top loader too.

  • Your Laundry Won’t Be Cleaned Properly – Machine washing powders are made up of a concentrated balance of ingredients that will deliver a thorough clean to your clothing when used in a machine. Whereas the formulation of hand-washing powders ensures that when you use the handwashing method you will be able to thoroughly clean your clothing. Due to the formulation of hand washing powders, they may leave your laundry with soap residue or simply not clean your laundry properly when used in a machine.

With these factors, it’s easy to see why trying to use hand washing powder in a top loader machine is something you shouldn’t do, especially if you want clean and fresh laundry.

Now that we’ve cleared up what products you shouldn’t use in your top loader machines, let’s focus on the products you should use to achieve stain-free, fragrant laundry – Sunlight 2in1 Auto Washing Powders. When it comes to the best washing powder for top loaders, the Sunlight 2in1 Auto Washing Powder range is definitely tops! Combining the incredible cleaning power of Sunlight with the caring power of delightfully fragranced fabric softeners, Sunlight’s machine washing powders are ideal for achieving exceptionally clean and beautifully scented laundry.

So for your next laundry day, don’t waste time experimenting with hand-washing powders in your top loader machine. Instead, use Sunlight’s 2in1 Auto Washing Powders for spotlessly clean and fabulously fragranced laundry with every wash. For more laundry tips and tricks, make sure you visit Cleanipedia.

FAQs

Is powder detergent better for top load washers?

No, powder detergent is not any better for top loader washers than a liquid or any other kind of detergent. Just make sure the detergent you are using is formulated for machine washing.

Which detergent is best for a top-load machine?

For any kind of machine washer, using a laundry detergent that is formulated for machine washing is always the best choice. Explore the Sunlight laundry range for effective detergents you can use with your top loader machine for brilliantly clean laundry.

Which works better front or top-load washing machines?

Both front and top-loader washing machines work well to effectively clean your laundry items. The best choice for you will depend on the amount of laundry you are washing and how dirty the load is.

What can go wrong if you use the wrong type of washing powder?

Using the wrong detergent in your washing machine can damage your washing machine and result in a less effective wash that will leave you with laundry that isn’t clean.

Can you use liquid detergents for top-loader washing machines?

Yes, you can use liquid detergents for top-loader washing machines. Just ensure that the liquid detergent you choose is made for machine washing, like the Sunlight Summer Sensations 2in1 Auto Washing Liquid Detergent.