Powder in the washing machine drum?

[DorisShutt]

Can you put stuff straight into the drum, bypassing the drawer and does it work as well?

I'm thinking specifically Vanish powder that I use to help with the stains on clothes DS wears to nursery.

I'm finding that adding it to the drawer just causes a blockage and the washing ends up not smelling clean so I have to redo it. (I use liquid so it seems to go claggy with the powder and not come out of the drawer).

Anyone do this?

yes

yes, I always do it since in previous place the water pressure was too low to dissolve it in the drawer. nice side effect: no more manky drawer.

I heard tell that liquid contributes to mouldy washing machines so maybe switch back to powder full stop, added to the drum.

Yes, I always put it in the drum. I use less than half the recommended amount of powder and same amount of soda crystals. No fabric conditioner either.