Problem with washing machine

Loopy_Girl

Am not sure if this is in the right place but I have been helped out before with a 'homemaker' remedy so am hoping again!!

Basically I have a problem in that my fabric softener doesn't always drain away when a wash is on and I only know when I pull thw washing out the machine and I can't smell the softener and only the powder (plus the clothes, particularly towels, are like cardboard!!).

Doesn't happen all the time, just now and again but it did happen with my old machine which suggests to me that I am doing something wrong. The last one was so bad that I had to end up buying those 'Comfort Pearls' which go in the drum but cost an absolute fortune hence me investing in a new machine.

In fairness the machine is about 5-6 years old so it's not brand new.

I have pulled the drawer out and scrubbed it clean with an old toothbrush and I have also scrubbed the inside area of the drawer (not a pleasant chore!!). I also only ever put a cap of softener in (not an extra splash for 'luck') and I pour a little water in with it so it's not so gloopy.

On the advice here I did stop using the gels and I am now back to using the powder as well.

Any advice or tips would be thankfully received

Farway

There is a removable bit at the back of the pull of drawer, hard to describe but it goes up & down

This item covers a hole, the hole gets blocked by softener

Remove [it just lifts off] and run hot water through the hole, give the removed bit a scrub, and Robert is your dad's brother

greenbee

Use vinegar as softener - it doesn't clog and it doesn't coat your washing in gunk.

If you don't want to use it for everything, just use it for towels (it doesn't affect their absorbency like softener does) and the occasional use should keep the drawer and pipework clear.

whiteguineapig

i have this problem and have had it since the washer was brand new
i have always put it down to having very poor water pressure tho
what i do is i have a spare dosing ball and put the dash of fabric softner in at the start of the wash , with the clothes
its not an ideal solution but the clothes still seem quite soft and i'v not been able to come up with any other solution , other than the all in one type liquids etc, i had such a big stash of fabric softner and i'm still using it up! (when i had my previous washer i would put it in the drawer and it worked fine)

Loopy_Girl

Thanks for all the replies

Unsure whether it's a pressure issue as I have a power shower in the house here and it fairly pumps the water out - plus I have moved house since the old machine....not ruling it out though

Ummm not sure of using vinegar all the time as I do like my stuff to be nice and flowery although I will defo do it for a towel wash only - how much do I use? Same as if I was using softener?

Faraway I'm not sure which part you mean...I have a blue bit which you push and that covers the hole you are talking about (also gets the drawer out the machine) and I have scrubbed both the blue part and the drawer. I also wrapped a tissue round a pipe cleaner and the hole is spotless as is the blue thing which covers it.

I did do a washing earlier and it did drain away and that was with me putting equal amounts of water in the compartment with the softener...who knows if this is the answer but I will keep doing this.

Might be just one of these frustrating things I guess!! Apprec the replies though:j

TheDoolallyDilly

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

I did do a washing earlier and it did drain away and that was with me putting equal amounts of water in the compartment with the softener...who knows if this is the answer but I will keep doing this.

I hope that continues to work for you.

I had a look on Washer Help here (if you scroll down you'll find your fabric conditioner problem) which might help?