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cleaning washing machine drawer

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  • I've got a BOSH Maxi washing machine, it's about 12-15 years old. I've never had it serviced & it worked well the whole time.

    It now needs help. The fabric conditioner part of the draw is completely clogged up & at times the clothes are coming out dirty, I think from the build up of the washing powder/conditioner.

    How do I clean it? I've tried cleaning out the draw but had no success.

    Also, as it's old is it going to be an electricity & water guzzler, it was a good machine when I bought it? Would now be a good time to replace it with something more economical to run? It's on daily so running costs are important. We are in a position to buy a good machine if needed but I'd rather not unless the benefits were clear.

    Many thanks
  • greenbee
    greenbee Posts: 17,751 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    have you actually taken out the drawer to clean it out? You need to remove it completely, and probably soak it in something like soda crystals to get rid of the gunk, then bung it in the DW on the top shelf (with any small bits in the cutlery basket). If there is any limescale on it after that, then it'll need a clean with some vinegar.

    Meanwhile, you need to clean the space where the drawer came out - again use a soda crystal solution and/or vinegar. An old toothbrush and some old rags will be useful as you'll get a lot of gunk out (trust me, I did this for the first time a few months ago, and I run a regular cleaning cycle!).

    Once the drawer is clean, running a cleaning cycle. If you have soda crystals and vinegar, put a spoonful of soda crystals in the powder dispenser bit of the drawer, a splash of vinegar in the fabric conditioner bit and another couple of spoonfuls of soda crystals in the drawer. Run on the hottest wash you can with nothing in the drum. If you don't have any soda crystals, so this with a small amount of washing powder - and do it regularly.

    Soda crystals will get rid of all the grease and soap scum, while vinegar will descale the machine. It's probably got a bit more life left in it!

    I have to say I use vinegar as a fabric conditioner for most things, and one of the benefits is that I no longer have the problem with the fabric conditioner dispenser clogging.
  • Mands
    Mands Posts: 844 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    greenbee wrote: »

    I have to say I use vinegar as a fabric conditioner for most things, and one of the benefits is that I no longer have the problem with the fabric conditioner dispenser clogging.

    Blimey, greenbee saved me a mass of typing :-)

    I used to do all of those things to clear the drawer until I switched to vinegar as a fabric softener; now it simply isn't necessary as the drawer doesn't get clogged.

    Cheaper and less work!
    Mands
  • I have a feeling that your Bosch machine is probably pretty fuel-efficient already and I certainly wouldn't countenance replacing it if there's no problem running it. A machine of that quality has most likely got another decade of useful life in it.

    If you do decide to replace it, I'd love to take it off your hands. Mine finally died in October after 20 years of faithful service but I can't afford to replace it right now.
  • noapron
    noapron Posts: 120 Forumite
    If you go to the Bosch UK domestic appliances, you will find a contact phone number.

    When you call have ready the model name and somewhere on the machine there will be a serial number which they prob want.

    If you want spare parts and are competent to fit them, I believe they will supply them (diff product but they sent me a new element for my oven).

    If not they will send someone who having serial number etc. will arrive with stuff onboard to fix the machine. I have used them but if poss ask during first call about call out (£70 when I last used them but waived as dh works for Bosch) hourly rate and parts prices (which we do pay) so you can make a judgement about whether it's worth proceeding
  • noapron
    noapron Posts: 120 Forumite
    Meant to say Bosch are pretty prompt at coming to do the job. When I had to have my wm looked at, two friends waited 6 and 11 weeks respectively. Mine was done and dusted in 3 days.
  • greenbee
    greenbee Posts: 17,751 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Mands wrote: »
    Blimey, greenbee saved me a mass of typing :-)

    I used to do all of those things to clear the drawer until I switched to vinegar as a fabric softener; now it simply isn't necessary as the drawer doesn't get clogged.

    Cheaper and less work!
    Mands

    I had a meeting moved (and then cancelled at short notice!) ... :o I dread to think what the fabric conditioner does to the clothes if that's what it does to the machine! Apparently that kind of WM gunk also clogs drains ...
  • Artytarty
    Artytarty Posts: 2,642 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Very interesting thread!
    Does vinegar as a fab con actually make the clothes soft?
    Do they smell of the chippy?! My fab con dept. tend sto get blocked and gunky too so Id be interested in an alternative. Im afraid I do actually like my clothes to smell like they have just ben freshly laundered.
    Laundered, isnt that a funny old fashioned word!
    Norn Iron Club member 473
  • Artytarty wrote: »
    Very interesting thread!
    Does vinegar as a fab con actually make the clothes soft? Yes, it does.
    Do they smell of the chippy?! yes, they do but only while the clothes are wet. Once dry, they don't.
    My fab con dept. tends to get blocked and gunky too so Id be interested in an alternative.
    Im afraid I do actually like my clothes to smell like they have just been freshly laundered. So do I and that's what the clothes smell of once they're completely dry.
    Laundered, isnt that a funny old fashioned word!

    I suspect the perceived "need" for fabric conditioner came about because a lot of washing-machines don't rinse the clothes completely and effectively. Adding fabric conditioner is akin to adding more, diluted soap to the water as that's what it is really albeit differently scented. As soaps and detergents are highly alkaline and vinegar is acidic I believe that the end result is to neutralise the soap and therefore aids in the clothing being properly rinsed.

    Hand and bath-towels end up very soft and fluffy once they are dry.
  • Artytarty
    Artytarty Posts: 2,642 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Well thank you very much. I am going to give this a try.
    White vinegar, about a tablespoonful, would that be right?
    Norn Iron Club member 473
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