Washing machine soap poweder tray blocked

londonTiger

the drain pipe in the soap powder compartment is blocked, we dont have any kids so unlikely to be toys stuck in there, so just built up soap powder methinks.

I have pourded hot water in and the syphoned it out, managed to get a lot of the soapy water out but now I think I have managed to take out the bulk of the soapy water and the water is now coming out clean and the block hasn't come out.

Is there any chemical I could use that would break up the clogged soap powder?

Alfrescodave

How long do you leave the water in before syphoning? I'd fill the pipe with boiling water and leave overnight so as to allow the water to dissolve the block. Then syphon and repeat

londonTiger

Alfrescodave wrote: »

How long do you leave the water in before syphoning? I'd fill the pipe with boiling water and leave overnight so as to allow the water to dissolve the block. Then syphon and repeat

I'm doing it in very short intervals. I'll do as you suggest. may mean taking 14 days to fix this :P

EssexExile

If you can get the top off (unplug first) the hose is usually just rubber so you can massage it to break up any blockage. It may only be held on with cable ties, if so you can take it off & clean it out.

Probably just a couple of screws at the back or sides then slide & lift to get the top off, may have instructions in the handbook.

londonTiger

i took the top and back panel off but it's full of electrics and I didn't want to disconnect anything.

I decided to perserve with the slow method and just fill with boiling water and syphon it out after 2 hours. Used white vinegar a few times as well as it can break down built up soap powder.

I thought I was getting nowhere as the syphoned water was coming out cleaner and cleaner. Then noticed there was no more water - the blockage broke down and is flowing again.

Result.

Alfrescodave

Great result - might be useful to flush occasionally with hot (boiling)water to prevent powder build up.