For various reasons, it may happen that the detergent drawer is not completely emptied and that it still contains traces of detergent even after the wash cycle. This drawback can affect the quality of washing clothes. It is therefore important to know the origin of the problem.
This is a fairly common problem. Laundry tubs are prone to a buildup of powder detergent residue and sometimes even mold. It may also happen that detergent residue clumps in the detergent drawer and leads to incorrect laundry. Let’s discover below the 3 most common reasons for detergent accumulation in the drawer.
The 3 reasons why powder remains in the detergent compartment of your washing machine
A laundry drawer should always be clean and free of detergent residue so that laundry goes smoothly. This is why you need to eliminate all the reasons that could lead to powder accumulation.
1. You put too much detergent in the detergent compartment of the washing machine
Adding too much powder detergent can cause buildup in the pipe between the drawer and the drum. This is therefore likely to cause a blockage which will prevent the contents of your detergent drawer from functioning properly, thus affecting the efficiency of washing your clothes. This results in powder residue and standing water in your dispenser and, in rare cases, water leaks from the front.
What you can do is locate the hose in your machine and manually remove the clog after turning off the machine. It is therefore preferable to use liquid detergent rather than powder and to respect the recommended dosage.
2. Your washing machine is not on a flat surface
It is also possible that your detergent drawer is not emptying correctly due to incorrect positioning of your machine. For example, if the surface is not flat or the feet of the machine are uneven, the water jet cannot properly suck up the detergent or fabric softener.
3. You are using the wrong detergent in the machine
Problems also arise if you use the wrong detergent. For example, if you have a high-efficiency washing machine that uses less water than a traditional machine, you should use a special detergent. Powdered detergents can also cause blockages due to insufficient water pressure. If this is the case, the water will not distribute the detergent from the drawer. Additionally, excess soap scum can also cause dirt buildup.
It is also important to regularly clean the drawer and the compartment in which it is located to avoid the accumulation of detergent residue and limescale. These can block the water jets which are normally used to dissolve the detergent contained in the drawer. It is best to avoid using bleach for cleaning.
How to clean the washing machine detergent drawer?
To properly clean the detergent drawer, do so outside of its compartment. If it resists, remove it by pressing the latch on the back. Prepare a bowl of warm water to soak the drawer for a few minutes, then scrub away the soap scum with a scrubbing brush or old toothbrush. Then proceed to rinse and use a paper towel or a clean cloth to dry the component of your device.
How to remove water jets?
If the water jets that dissolve the detergent in your compartment are clogged, you must clean them before putting it back in the compartment. To do this, you must spray an anti-limescale cleaner on the holes in order to break the layer of solidified foam before scrubbing them with the toothbrush. Be aware that white vinegar can be effective for this task. Then wipe the area with a damp cloth, then rinse off any descaler and residue.
After replacing the drawer, run a rinse cycle to see if water is flowing properly through the jets. To check this, you can open the tank slightly to see if the water jet is working correctly.
The drawer is an important key element of the washing machine, maintenance of which remains important to guarantee the good quality of your laundry.
