Being in a situation where you were supposed to use one washing product and end up using another is never good.
You will want to understand your options and make sure you are considering what needs to be done to deliver the best results.
This becomes important if there is a situation where you i accidentally put fabric softener instead of detergent.
If you accidentally put fabric softener instead of detergent, the clothes will need to be re-washed. Fabric softeners do not clean clothes and will rinse out of the system as soon as the cycle is complete.
It’s possible to make this mistake and the only thing you are going to waste is the fabric softener, water, and your time.
The best thing to do is to restart the wash cycle with the clothes still in there.
You will want to use laundry detergent this time to clean them the way you want.
Here is more on what you will want to consider if you accidentally put fabric softener instead of detergent.
Table of Contents
Best Portable Washer (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
No products found.
Steps To Consider If You Accidentally Put Fabric Softener Instead Of Detergent
1. Restart The Wash Cycle
Let’s assume you used a fabric softener in the wash cycle rather than laundry detergent.
Does this mean you have ruined your clothes? Will you have to do something to get rid of the fabric softener from the machine?
In general, you are going to be good to go for another wash cycle.
The fabric softener is simply not designed to clean the clothing. This means it will go through the wash cycle and nothing will happen if there is no detergent in there.
Your best option is to restart the wash cycle.
This is the only way to clean the clothes as long as you are using detergent this time around.
A lot of people don’t do this and they end up settling for clothes that are still unclean. Don’t do this and go through the process again as if you are just getting started.

2. Make Sure To Use Laundry Detergent
Of course, you will not want to make the same mistake again.
This means you will want to take out the laundry detergent and make sure you are ready to go when it is time to clean the clothes.
Look to choose a good detergent that is effective for your load.
This is how you are going to get the results you desire. Take the time to think about what you are using and ensure you are putting in the required amount.
3. Don’t Worry About The Fabric Softener
The one thing people worry about has to do with the fabric softener.
You are going to be concerned about how the fabric softener is going to impact the clothes when that should not be the case.
It is not going to have the type of impact you are thinking is possible.
This is a concern people have when that should not be the case.
The fabric softener is going to go through the wash cycle and then do nothing. This is due to it not having the ability to clean clothing in the washer.

4. Check The Results
The last step is to think about the work that has gone into fixing the clothes.
You will have started the wash cycle again and this time you are going to be using a good laundry detergent.
This is a positive and it is something you will want to think about when it comes to doing things the right way.
If you are looking to check the results, you will want to ensure you are putting in the time to think about your options and considering everything in greater detail.
Look at each clothing item to see how it is doing.
Is it in good shape? Has it washed the way you wanted it to?
Final Thoughts
I accidentally put fabric softener instead of detergent!
If you accidentally put fabric softener instead of detergent, there is nothing to worry about. Restart the washing cycle and use detergent this time around. Fabric softeners are not designed to clean clothes and will flush out of the washer once the cycle is done.
You do not have to do anything special to manage the fabric softener if that is what you put in the washing machine.
It is simply not going to clean the clothes and you are going to have to go through the process again.
This means nothing will happen to the clothes in the washer and you will not have to air them out.
Here’s More On The Washing Machine: