A unit consisting of a cartridge provided with a base plate displaceable under pressure is used for the program-controlled dosing of paste-form detergents. The orifice of the cartridge leads into the dispensing compartment of the washing machine, more particularly into the region of a spray jet or into a region of high turbulence of the inflowing water. The detergent paste consists of nonionic surfactants liquid at temperature below 10.degree. C. or mixtures thereof and, suspended therein, builder salts and washing alkalis having a particle size in the range from 5 to 40 .mu.m.