Crusty powder in washing machine drawer :(

pigpen

Soap of any kind is not going to dissolve soap!!

Take the drawer out.. knock off the big chunks with a knife or screwdriver.. tools and a bit of brute force are much more effective than anything else!

The residue bits will come off with boiling water.. boil a kettle and just pour it over the dried powder.

For future reference.. break up any clumps of powder before putting it in the drawer, if there is any remaining after a wash pour a kettle of boiling water over it until it dissolves.. by the time it reaches the drum it is massively cooled but it is probably best to not do this with your silk undies and woollen items.

I've found the value range of wash powders due this all the time but if you mix it with a more expensive powder or just up a brand it doesn't do it any more.

You could also be using too much powder so the water per load isn't sufficient to wash it all down to the drum, this is highly likely if you over fill a machine with weight sensors on.. Mine adds water so the whole load, clothes + water is a set weight.. if I have over that weight in items it error messages at me and won't get any water in.


I use about a tablespoon of powder per load and fabric conditioner, too much (or 'recommended' so they make lots of profits) powder causes build up on your clothes which is pointless and wasteful, it clogs your machine and the environmental effects are amplified.

pigpen

Debran wrote: »

Not sure about putting it in the dishwasher. The drawer could warp from the heat in the dishwasher. It then would not fit back into the washing machine making for a very expensive lesson.

Mine have been going in the dishwasher on a 45' or 55' wash.. basically hand hot water, the temp you would wash dishes!!!.. for the last 16 years with never an issue!! They are designed for 90' washes.. they are fine in the DW