How to Use detergent in a Sentence

detergent

1 of 2 adjective
  • Let the vinegar run through the machine to break down detergent residue, mold, and odors.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Let the vinegar run through the machine to break down detergent residue, mold, and odors.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Let the vinegar run through the machine to break down detergent residue, mold, and odors.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The culprit is more often than not detergent buildup.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
  • Run an extra rinse cycle to remove all detergent residue.
    — Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
  • And, if possible, add an extra rinse cycle to get rid of any detergent residue.
    — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 31 May 2026
  • And a laundry refresh can be achieved by adding a half-cup to your wash to boost detergent performance and brighten colors.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026
  • According to Lewis, once a month is ideal to keep it fresh, prevent mold, and remove detergent residue.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
  • According to Lewis, once a month is ideal to keep it fresh, prevent mold, and remove detergent residue.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
  • According to Lewis, once a month is ideal to keep it fresh, prevent mold, and remove detergent residue.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Using a clean, white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent-vinegar solution and then blot until the liquid is absorbed.
    — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 21 Jan. 2021
  • Doing so will remove detergent residue, soften them, and refresh their natural oils.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
  • If there is detergent, fabric softener, or bleach in the machine’s dispensers, empty them.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026
  • Nowadays, the most common loading order is detergent, laundry, then water.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
  • Nowadays, the most common loading order is detergent, laundry, then water.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
  • As Mintz notes, detergent buildup can affect how well your machine rinses, drains, and cleans, leading to lingering odors or maintenance issues.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Instead of softener, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to naturally soften towels and remove detergent residue without dulling the color.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Instead of softener, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to naturally soften towels and remove detergent residue without dulling the color.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Recharging your dryer balls helps remove detergent residue, while also softening, firming, and refreshing the wool’s natural oils.
    — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 18 Jan. 2026
  • Last year, an ad for a detergent brand showing a Hindu child protecting a Muslim child during the festival of colors had elicited a boycott call too.
    — Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2020
  • Over time, washing machines collect mold, detergent residue and bacteria — particularly around the rubber gasket on front-loading models.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Body oils, skincare products, detergent residue, and minerals from hard water can all accumulate within the fibers, too, adding to the sticky mix and leading to towels that feel stiff, smell musty, or further lose absorbency.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026
  • Body oils, skincare products, detergent residue, and minerals from hard water can all accumulate within the fibers, too, adding to the sticky mix and leading to towels that feel stiff, smell musty, or further lose absorbency.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Use Vinegar for Detergent Buildup White vinegar is one of the most effective tools for cutting through detergent residue outside a washing machine.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 May 2026
  • Additionally, mineral buildup can prevent detergent from dissolving properly and trap dirt and bacteria inside the machine, causing clothes to come out dirty or with detergent residue and have a musty odor.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Scientific studies have explored how detergent exposure may affect the skin barrier and microbiome, particularly in sensitive populations.
    — Zachary Reed, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
  • Ditch the 'Proper' Washer Loading Order Another laundry rule that is outdated because of changes to our washing machines is the proper loading order—which used to be water first, then detergent, and finally clothes.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Ditch the 'Proper' Washer Loading Order Another laundry rule that is outdated because of changes to our washing machines is the proper loading order—which used to be water first, then detergent, and finally clothes.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026

detergent

2 of 2 noun
  • We have tried different laundry detergents.
  • Too much detergent can leave residue on clothes.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025
  • Use the right detergent—and the right amount.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Pre-treat any stains with a mild detergent.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 2 Jan. 2026
  • Fill the sink and add the detergent.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Add a small amount of mild detergent.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Add a small amount of detergent.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Rinse away all detergent and residue.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 28 June 2026
  • Do not add detergent or clothes.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Do not add detergent or clothes.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Do not add detergent or clothes.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Add a mild, down-safe detergent.
    — Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Fill the bowl with warm water and a few drops of detergent and mix.
    — Jessica Cherner, House Beautiful, 4 Apr. 2023
  • Fix this by using the right amount of detergent for the load size.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Pre-treat the stain with a small amount of liquid detergent.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Make sure to use the correct amount of detergent.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
  • Use a detergent that is safe for the fabric.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Use a soft wet cloth and mild detergent to gently wipe and scrub the stains away.
    — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2023
  • Fill your sink with mild detergent and cold water.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
  • In place of detergent, use one cup of white vinegar.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
  • In place of detergent, use one cup of white vinegar.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Fill the tub with warm water, toss in your clothes, and the detergent.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Use cool water and a small amount of detergent.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
  • How much detergent is in a laundry pod?
    — Katelyn Chef, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
  • How much detergent is in a laundry pod?
    — Katelyn Chef, Southern Living, 18 June 2026
  • Use cold water and a mild, wool-safe detergent.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Blot any stains with detergent and cold water.
    — Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Pods, powders, and sheets all share the stage, but which type of detergent is best?
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
  • If food is still stuck on the pan, fill the pan with warm water and a few drops of detergent.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
  • Pull out and clean the detergent drawer.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 22 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detergent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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