Is there any reason why I can't put bleach in the washing machine instead of washing powder?

[Prunerz]

I have a couple of things that I need to bleach. I know I can soak them in a bucket, but I want to remove some colour, and that's likely to be a bit uneven.

Can I put a cup of bleach in the washing machine and if so, would it be on a cold wash or would heat make a difference?

Is it likely to damage the machine? I am quite fond of it and it isn't easily replaceable.

You can buy proper laundry bleach... I'd be more inclined to use that than anything else in case it corroded the pipes in the machine.

So Sainsbury's 27p Thin Bleach wouldn't be the same? Damn.

You can't, it's got chlorine in it - it will indeed rot rubber pipes. Sorry.

Laundry bleach is different.

Oh poo. Thanks though.

Why can't you put bleach into the machine? Have you checked your booklet? Americans routinely put bleach in theirs. I routinely put bleach in mine. White school shirts a bugger to clean. Now and again I put powder in the drawer and pour bleach on top. Close the drawer sharpish as I'm sure fumes can't be good for you. I think if you do it now and agai n it's not bad.