I just discovered that you are supposed to clean out that fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine and when I pulled out the cup, which was coated in blue thick gunk, underneath it was a nasty black, thick junk. I purchased the washing machine used a few years ago, so who knows how old this junk is!
What is it? Is it mold and mildew? I am freaking out about it! I cleaned the dispenser out and then the middle came out so I cleaned it out as well, but I am haunted by what the heck all that waxy black stuff was, so I need to know if it is just softener build up with dirt or mold? HELP!
This may sound a bit obvious, but the answer may be a simple as using the fabric softener ball that holds the liquid until the agitation cycle. I grew up using one of these, and never had any problems with my clothes getting spotted, and certainly not with the machine getting "gunky." I know it would be nice to not have to hassle with it, but the built-in dispensers do seem to get gunky pretty quickly. The question is: Which is better? Cleaning the machine every month, or using the Downy Ball every time and never having to worry with cleaning your machine. Just a suggestion.
This may sound a bit obvious, but the answer may be as simple as using the fabric softener ball that holds the liquid until the agitation cycle. I grew up using one of these, and never had any problems with my clothes getting spotted, and certainly not with the machine getting "gunky." I know it would be nice not to have to hassle with it, but the built-in dispensers do seem to get gunky pretty quickly. The question is: Which is better? Cleaning the machine every month, or using the Downy Ball every time and never having to worry with cleaning your machine. Just a suggestion.
The softener was not draining out out of the dispenser on the top of the agitator. We ran very hot water down the cup of the agitator. The buildup was amazing. (The instruction for the machine says do not put detergent in detergent with the softener. THey are incompatible. A little detergent I am sure gets down the agitator cup from time to time)
After getting a lot of that gunk, which felt like gum, on my hands, I tried alcohol to break down the sticky stuff. We tried that on the dispenser as well and if seemed to work in there as well. So we alternated hot water and shaking out the gunk with pouring a a little alcohol in the cup. That seemed to move things along. I also used the alcohol to clean the sink afterwards.
The hot water did not "melt" the gunk in the sink but the alcohol readily broke it down so it could be wiped up with a paper towel. I am sure that that gunk probably was not good to send down the disposal and the pipes. Not to mention the filters for the septic tank,
When I washed my hands with (I think Dawn) dish soap it also seemed to break down the gunk on my hands right away. But we did not try the soap in the dispenser. It might be worth a try.
Models will vary, but here's what made the difference in my cleaning process. Like others, I removed the unit from the machine, and started cleaning with hot water, a brush and toothpicks. Then I moved on to white vinegar. Filling the reservoir with vinegar was marginally effective. Figuring most of the problem was below the reservoir, I flipped the unit over and added vinegar to the bottom of the unit, where the reservoir attaches to the base. Then I just let it sit for a couple of hours. After that, I turned it right side up again and ran hot water into the top. Gunk flew out! A thorough rinse, and the dispenser was back in business.
Of course, I can't say for sure because I haven't seen it, but I think, based on what the gunk in mine looked like, that all it is is the build up from the fabric softener and some soap or dirt residue from the washwater. I use the same downy bottle for years, refilling from the cardboard container, and if I don't wash the top off periodically, I get that bluish/grey build up on that as well. I doubt very much that it is mold or mildew. Just old fabric softener.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Request: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
Archived on 04/08/2008
What can I use on my washing machine fabric softener dispenser to clean and clear it? I have a Kenmore about 10 years old.
Sue
Answers:
hot water
I found that my Kenmore fabric softener dispenser came off fairly easily. Once I got it off, I used hot, hot water and rinsed it OVER and OVER. You'd be amazed at all the gunk that came out! I then soaked it for awhile in very hot water. It eventually came out really clean and I put it back in the washer (with a vow to clean it more than once every 5 years!) Diane (12/01/2000)
Run a load with about 1/4 c. white vinegar in the dispenser. It will clean out any residue. BTW, white vinegar is a great fabric softener, and although the vinegar smells, your clothes won't. Karen (12/01/2000)
And I thought I was the only one whose Kenmore fabric softener quit working! Right now I just filled it with white vinegar in the hopes that will clean it out. I had it off, ran hot water, over and over again, used a toothbrush on it, tried everything, but nothing worked. I did soak it with white vinegar, but maybe this'll do it while it's running. Thanks. (09/21/2004)
By Pat
RE: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
I soaked mine in CLR and rinsed with a ton of water, eventually it came clean but I was hoping someone might know how to open the thing up to get at all the little crannies (08/12/2005)
By April
RE: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
I don't have a Kenmore, Maytag (but I did this with my old Kenmore too), mix up the homemade fabric softener (see related links) it is baking soda and vinegar. The dispenser will always be CLEAN. I messed up, and sometimes I have a little baking soda residue because I was silly in mixing but rinses through very easily! I found powder detergent clogged in mine that my friend used! I use borax and liquid, never had a problem! (03/26/2006)
I just bought a brand new Kenmore washing machine. After having an old machine for years (circa 1970's) it finally broke. I was very excited to finally have a fabric softener dispenser with the new machine. After a few weeks I realized the downside of having a dispenser, having to clean it. After cleaning it out twice I decided to buy a little plastic ball that dispenses softener(don't want to mention any names here) and its works great! Goodbye gunked up dispenser! Best of all the softener ball is cleanable and it only costs around $2.00 so if it gets to the point where I don't want to clean it, I throw it out. What I used to get my "old" dispenser clean was just taking it off of the agitator and cleaning it with running water and some pipe cleaners to get into the little spots. (04/23/2006)
By Mark
RE: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
I took the dispenser off of the agitator and soaked it in Comet and hot water. I used a spoon to scrape the inside gunk. Then I took a toothbrush to it. I worked well. Now I need to know how to clean the top of the agitator that the dispenser fits on. It is filled with gunk also. I tried scraping it but I can't get my hand in it.
Any suggestions? (05/03/2006)
By KC
RE: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
I have a Kenmore washer and had the same problem. I took off the dispenser, put it in the washing machine along with a load of old towels and washed. It is now totally clean (I used the delicate cycle) (02/11/2007)
By MSA guest
RE: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
I purchased a used washer and found the dispenser clogged with years of buildup. I put boiling water through it along with white vinegar and heated it in the microwave. It took about an hour of repeating and shaking the solid wastes out of it. It is as clean as a whistle now. (01/13/2008)
By Renee
RE: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
I placed mine in a Pyrex dish, filled the dispenser with white vinegar and filled the Pyrex up half way with vinegar and water mix (the key was to fill above business end of the dispenser). Then microwaved in 2 minute intervals. I scrubbed and used the top of a baster to CAREFULLY force air/mixture through it in between heating intervals. Don't be afraid to be creative. For my 8 yr old Kenmore, the replacement part is less than $10 if you should break it. (b)(/b) (01/26/2008)
By Noel
RE: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser
I used hot water and a toothpick to scrape out all the gunk. I'm going to try the vinegar to get to the spots I couldn't pick out. (03/18/2008)
