If we had a euro for every time someone accidentally dumped detergent into the third compartment of a washing machine, we could probably afford a professional dry cleaner. Seriously – despite all the smart features and instructions in fifteen languages, the third compartment in the washing machine drawer remains something of a household enigma.
In every drawer washing machine There's a little compartment marked "I". Almost no one uses it, even fewer understand it, and most people put some leftover detergent in it that fell out of their scoop. So why is it there at all? Is it decoration? Spare space? And - let's be honest - does anyone really use prewash without being explicitly told to do so by their grandmother?
This small, often dusty compartment with the label I, has a much more sophisticated role than you might think. And while your washing machine is ready to do its job without your explanation, a better understanding of its three basic compartments can make its life a lot easier – and in the process, give you cleaner, more fragrant, and longer-lasting laundry. Not to mention conquering stinky gym socks.
Three chambers, three roles, one big misunderstanding
The drawer in the washing machine is not there to be filled according to your gut feeling or the phases of the moon. Each of the three compartments has a very clear function that the machine respects very precisely.
First ventricle (II) is the hero of everyday laundry – that's where regular detergent for the main cycle belongs.
The second, often marked with a flower or star, is a space for softener, which is only released during the final rinse, so that the laundry not only smells good, but is also easier to iron (if that's something you do).
The third ventricle, marked with a Roman numeral (I), but is intended pre-wash – that extra cycle that only starts if you select a special program, usually for heavily soiled laundry. It uses a small amount of detergent that starts breaking down dirt before the main wash cycle begins.
If you use these three chambers correctly and don't confuse them, the result is noticeably better washing - without magic, just with an understanding of physics and a little chemistry.
Why would you even use a prewash?
Good question. If you wash once a week, mostly cotton clothes from the office and a few towels, then you probably you don't need to pre-wash every time. But if you have kids, dogs, running shoes, gardening tools, or clothes that deserve quarantine at home – then pre-wash is your best friend. Instead of scrubbing stains by hand (or ignoring them until they get a life of their own), you can simply add pre-wash, a little detergent to compartment I – and the machine will do the dirty work for you.
And if you really want to stay up to date with more organic practices: you can pour a solution into the prewash compartment instead of classic detergent baking soda, or even vinegar (Yes, don't worry, your laundry won't smell like the moisture from the soaking jar.) This not only disinfects the fabric, but also cleans the inside of the machine, which is a win-win situation. Martha Stewart would be proud.
Don't underestimate the modest corners of a washing machine
In the age of smartphones that know more about your day than you do, it seems bizarre that something as basic as the compartment marked “I” could confuse us. But here we are—and now we know. That small, often-ignored space in your washing machine drawer has a feature that could save you a lot of gray hairs (and stubborn stains).
So, next time you load your machine, take another look at the drawer. It may have been watching you all this time – silently, patiently, with a dusty film of incomprehension. It’s time to finally use it. Not because you have to, but because you are now officially a member of the laundry elite.
