Fabric conditioner not getting through machine

Dustyblinds

Hi, sorry this has probably already been discussed so admin please merge if I'm asking a repeat question.
Anyway, as the title says, the fabric conditioner isn't getting through the washing machine drawer. I've tried soda crystals, bicarbonate, bleach, vinegar and a steam clean. My machine also has a self clean programme which I use about every 4-6 weeks when I remember. I just can't get it to go through so I've started to use in wash tablets with fabric conditioner in, but this isn't very MSE and is also not as effective as fabric conditioner.
Has anyone else had this problem? Any ideas on a solution please? I can't justify the cost of these liquid tablets much longer
The machine is out of the guarantee otherwise I would be asking the manufacturer to check it out

GwylimT

Stop using fabric conditioner or just put a splash in the drum.

Have you tried putting anything else through the drawer, such as dye on an empty wash?

CathA

Mine did that so I put it in one of those little ball things and chuck it in the drum with the washing liquid. Works for me.

Brambleberry

Is water definitely getting into the drawer to rinse the conditioner/vinegar through? Or is some just left behind?
If the issue is the former, you may have clogged nozzles above the drawer, if it's the latter, then the drawer is not siphoning out properly and the fabric conditioner compartment might need very thorough cleaning. Can you take the drawer out in your model?

Dustyblinds

Brambleberry wrote: »

Is water definitely getting into the drawer to rinse the conditioner/vinegar through? Or is some just left behind?
If the issue is the former, you may have clogged nozzles above the drawer, if it's the latter, then the drawer is not siphoning out properly and the fabric conditioner compartment might need very thorough cleaning. Can you take the drawer out in your model?

Hi, I've taken the drawer out and steam cleaned the surrounding area and the drawer bits to make sure it isn't clogged. And yes I think it's above that's clogged, I thought the steam cleaner would unblock what ever is blocking it, thinking either mould or limescale.
I've put the machine through a few self clean washes which is set at a high temperature yet nothing seems to shift it grr

Dustyblinds

CathA wrote: »

Mine did that so I put it in one of those little ball things and chuck it in the drum with the washing liquid. Works for me.

Thanks, do you put it in at the start of a wash?

Dustyblinds

GwylimT wrote: »

Stop using fabric conditioner or just put a splash in the drum.

Have you tried putting anything else through the drawer, such as dye on an empty wash?

Haven't used dye but I have used bleach, vinegar, soda crystals and bicarbonate without success

Brambleberry

Hi Dustyblinds, might be worth seeing if you can find a good independent white goods engineer. A reliable one is worth their weight in gold (well fabric conditioner at least!) and investing in the maintenance of your machine may cost less in the long run. You might also learn how to prevent the problem coming back.

Dustyblinds

Thanks bramble berry, I think I'm going to have to look for a recomendation. I don't like to use a lot of the stuff but I think come the winter when I'm washing more woollens I'm going to need a little bit of softener. I might ask around on my local area Facebook page for a service engineer .

[Deleted User]

I never use fabric conditioner only white vinegar but I still take the drawer out and give it a good clean now and again.Its surprising how much gunk gets in there from scale to the odd bit of black mould I usually try to wiggle an old tooth brush where I can't get to in the hope of dislodging bit.But I agree if you have a local facebook page or where I live we also have a thing called 'streetlife' which is local to where I live and folk who live locally will post queries on there and get good results and recommendations for local tradesmen etc.Try googleing and see if there is one near to you

JackieO

PennyGSD

I had this very issue and was getting really annoyed as I'd stripped everything down and cleaned it and it still wouldn't work.

Quite by accident I discovered a really simple solution. Just dilute it a little!

I'd soaked my boot liner blanket in a bucket of water with fabric conditioner (I do this to act as an air freshener in my car) and didn't want to waste the water left over, so I've been using it in my wash. Goes through the fabric conditioner dispenser drawer no problem, and so I've been experimenting with exactly how dilute it needs to be to dispense properly, and still give that lovely smell that I enjoy on my sheets and towels.

I can't help thinking it's a very MSE way of using conditioner