That claim is another viral “laundry hack” that sounds clever but is mostly misunderstood or exaggerated.
What Happens If You Put an Empty Plastic Bottle in the Washing Machine?
People sometimes suggest adding an empty plastic bottle (usually a small, sealed one) to the drum and claiming it:
- Improves cleaning
- Saves detergent
- “Boosts agitation”
- Removes stains better
In reality, there is no solid scientific evidence that it improves washing performance.
Why People Think It Works
The idea comes from a few possible effects:
1. Extra movement in the drum
A bottle may bounce around and slightly change how clothes move, but modern washing machines are already designed to optimize agitation.
2. Reduced tangling (sometimes)
In rare cases, a floating object might reduce clothes clumping—but this is inconsistent and not reliable.
3. Psychological effect
When people try a “hack,” they often notice normal cleaning results and assume the trick caused improvement.
Possible Risks and Downsides
Using a plastic bottle in the drum can actually be a bad idea:
- Can unbalance the load
- May cause extra noise or vibration
- Risk of damaging clothes or machine over time
- Not recommended by appliance manufacturers
- Bottle may crack or deform under spinning force
What Actually Works Better
If the goal is better washing performance, these are proven methods:
- Don’t overload the machine
- Use correct detergent amount
- Pre-treat stains properly
- Clean the washing machine regularly
- Use proper wash cycles (cotton, delicate, etc.)
Bottom Line
The “empty plastic bottle trick” is not a genius-level hack—it’s mostly a social media myth with no real cleaning benefit and some potential risks.
If you want, I can share real laundry tips that actually make clothes cleaner and whiter without damaging your machine.