Clothes washer soap dispenser, why and how to clean it

Mold is likely lurking in your washing machine soap dispenser area. No one wants this infecting the air in their house. Here is how to clean it.

[@Tony-zs9hm]

I didn’t realize my dispenser tray was so disgusting. Thanks for the helpful video!!

[@marktito123]

this video gets straight to the point. great job

[@mrmssan]

Update on how I do my process now: Now I spray the bleach water and let it sit for a few minutes which gets rid of 95% or more of the mold. Then I use a dish brush to scrub, which reaches back to the back more easily, which is usually where the mold is hiding that I couldn't get just by spraying. I clean the soap tray in my dish washer. After each load of laundry, I take the soap tray all the way out, pour any remaining water out, and keep the tray sitting on the top of my washer instead of in its compartment. Mold still grows, but much much more slowly.

[@berniejarvis5497]

Yeah I take my tray out all the time clean in side dry it out leave door wide open with tray out for at least 24hrs but it still gets like mould at the top and I’ve done that from day one of having my new washer .

[@noyes.]

Use vinegar not bleach

[@Inverse_Midas]

Iv just rented a room in a house with a washing machine that’s 13 years old. I asked if it had ever been cleaned inside the drawer area, and was told no. You can imagine how bad it was after 13 years of mould build up. I only decided to inspect and clean it because it was leaking from the detergent drawer and when I looked, a lot if not most of the holes, kind of like how a shower head would work, were blocked up either fully, or partially. Ever seen a shower head that is getting blocked up due to hard water and calcium deposits? Well it either blocks water flow from that particular hole on the shower head, or it shoots a stream of water in a non straight way. Same applies to the detergent drawer. It was leaking because water was shooting towards the front of the drawer, not spraying down into your detergent as normal. I got most of the mould out to the point it no longer leaks, which is good for me. Ran a 90c quick wash to blast through any clogged water holes in the detergent cavity for good measure, and you rinse out the bleach.

[@lucilechurch1304]

I just finished this task and appreciated the tutorial. The toothbrush cleaned only so much of the job, so I had to use a rag for the rest. A larger brush of some kind would be easier, so I’ll look for something different in the future. After soaking the area with the bleach solution and scrubbing the inside, I put plain water in the spray bottle for rinsing. Although I have cleaned the tray in the past, I never cleaned the inside cavity before so was happy for the heads up. Also, thanks for advising to wear clothes that won’t get ruined by bleach. Very good advice. Thank you!

[@brianbennett2967]

Would completely removing the drawer between loads be better than just leaving it open?

[@morarmurray-hayes122]

@@brianbennett2967it happens to me even though I do this.

[@stonecreekbiblechurch5847]

Yes, that's why I do now.

[@stonecreekbiblechurch5847]

I still get mold, even with removing it in between, but it grows much slower.

[@stonecreekbiblechurch5847]

I think it's because I don't get it removed immediately when each load is done.

[@brendak5486]

Thanks for the good video on cleaning out my dispenser drawer. I was actually looking for a solution to my softener not dispensing and ran across this video. I will be doing your method for all the cups and appreciate the extra tips about wearing old clothes and running another cycle to clean the washer. I subscribed and liked also.

[@leodog5614]

Thank you so much for this video. I just cleaned the tray and then, to my horror, discover the mold inside.

[@olympusnyc]

I tackled mine today before seeing your video. We had similar approaches. Since ours was in pretty bad shape, I sprayed the interior with clorox clean-up. I then stuffed it with paper towels and saturated them with clorox clean-up and let it sit for 30 minutes. Removed the towels, loosened any remaining residue with a toothbrush, and then used a micro-fiber cloth to further wipe out everything. There were some crevices on the top and in the back that still had dirt/mold so I used a wet Q-tip(s) to get in there. Ran a cycle and everything looks good. Why I came to your video though is that on the bottom of the receptacle (not the removable draw) there was hardened detergent and/or fabric softener (which we've stopped using) which is being quite stubborn to remove. Looking for a way to soften it and remove it..

[@stonecreekbiblechurch5847]

I haven't dealt with it caked on thickly. But fabric softener does dissolve in water. I have been able to scrub off dried softener with a brush and water. You may just have to do a decent amount of scrubbing.

[@vasquezfamily7071]

I have been taking the tray out completely and it has been good 👍🏻

[@stepbystephowto2981]

I take the tray out completely now also. I find that it slows the mold growth, but it still grows.

[@demolatte]

Thank you so much i have followed your method and got great results 👌🏻

[@catzlady.8189]

I just cleaned mine today with a bottle brush. I used vinegar with water and a little dawn. I wanted to try a non bleach option first and then follow up with bleach if needed. Surprisingly the vinegar soak and brush worked. Im thinking of make a dissolved solution in a water bottle of bleach and water. Let it soak to kill the last of the mold. Its a dirty job but somebody has to do it. Thank you for your video.

[@briansbucket7011]

Worked great. Thank you. Wife if no longer in a full panic.

[@shervinaryan2631]

I'm wondering how you're supposed to clean the very far back where the soap drains down. I managed to clean everything but that's the only place I can't reach without taking the whole thing apart

[@stepbystephowto2981]

I don’t know what yours is like exactly. But I use a dish wand brush.

[@th3976]

Do you have a video on putting back the soap dispenser? I disassembled the dispenser for cleaning, but I'm not sure if I assembled it correctly.

[@mrmssan]

I’d suggest looking at the owner’s manual

[@vasquezfamily7071]

Thanks for this video I had the same problem 🤢

[@roomatoid440]

As this is such a common complaint and also a neck breaking job to sort out, why don't washing machine makers make the 'roof' detachable for easy cleaning?

[@TamsinYeomans]

or at least smooth!!

[@mellow8886]

Good question they don't as want you to end up buying another washing machine

[@titubaabutit]

Thank you!

[@Cooking_Through_Time]

Yours looks clean compared to mine. I've never seen so much mold in my life. I try to clean about every 1-2 months. I only do 4 loads of clothes and towels and linens every other week. (It's just me and my husband). I don't understand why we have so much.

[@annienmouse9767]

Do you leave your washers door open when you’re not using it? I do but I’m taking the tip of taking the drawer out between washes so things can dry better. Also do you use a washer cleaner at all because if the innards of the machine have mold it will get to the drawer area faster. After my son washed his filthy rugby kit my machine started to smell dreadful and there was mold everywhere so I use a machine cleaner about three times a year. Problem cured. ( He can wash his kit in his own machine in future!😁)

[@jessebob325]

You need good ventilation. I remove the soap holder after use and turn it upside down in the sink (or use a bucket) till dry. Plus leave the machine's door open. This helps a lot if you have the room to navigate around it all till it's dry. Leave the room door open if there's no airflow.

[@Heezeize]

I took out the soap dispenser drawer out of my Whirlpool washer and put it in hot soapy water with a 1/4 cup of bleach. Saves me a lot of time and elbow grease, which I'll be spending instead on cleaning the drawer cavity. Btw, I noticed that you can take the face plate off of the dispenser part. Where the drawer meets the face plate there are two notches that can be bend back (doesn't need much force), and the two can be separated. I had to do this because the whole thing was too big for my dish pan. All parts are currently soaking in my sink. Now, on to the really nasty cleaning job: the drawer cavity. Wish me luck!

[@stepbystephowto2981]

I've recently started throwing the drawer in the dishwasher to clean it.

[@clivewatson3037]

I knw long ago but what helped the cavity.cuz I bought a 2nd hand from a pawn shop and it looks as if it has decades of soap powder build up

[@ramynovver4071]

I think a scrub pad would be faster than a toothbrush.

[@mels8966]

I found a steamer with a small brush attachment the easiest way to clean mine, but mould and bacterial smells can virtually be avoided by leaving the draw and door open between washes to keep the moisture and humidity down in the machine. I also mostly use washing powder that has oxygen bleach in it because it kills mould and bacteria and keeps the machine clean even though I use A lot of fabric softener.

[@christiansanich1910]

I would be careful using steam on the mold. I don't know for sure, but I would imagine the steam could make the mold airborne and you could breathe it in. So maybe wear a mask. As I said in the video, leaving the drawer open does not prevent the mold, because it's still a humid environment, because water gets trapped in the tray. I now take my soap/softener drawer completely out in between washes, but even that just slows the growth; it doesn't prevent it, because I never get it taken out the second the load is over.

[@mels8966]

@@christiansanich1910 good point about mould spores, it's possible I guess. I will have to read up on steamers to check. I've always left the door open between washes, but only started leaving the draw open some years ago. Having both open will also improve the air circulation. Mine gone from thick with mould, so bad the water missed the fabric softener and leaked out the front of the draw, to barely a trace of mould right at the back of the compartment where the fabric softener runs down and adheres to the plastic.I clean my machine less than once a year, but do rinse the draw under the tap after use. Perhaps it's just lower humidity here.

[@jkj1459]

Mould also show up on white fabric if left overnight . Remove fabric before sleeping

[@beautifulmayavinson898]

Hey my washer tray is stuck can you tell me how I could get it unstuck

[@adamcompean9385]

Used weed whacker line about 1' 1/2 " long run through the water holes too unblockage back and forth a few times! Good to go!

[@stepbystephowto2981]

Wow, it was that clogged hugh?

[@adamcompean9385]

@StepByStepHowTo No, .........but I just wanted to make sure the water hole line was free and clear for sure!

[@JaneEskayWaldmann]

Is there no way to open the top of washer to clean it easier???

[@stonecreekbiblechurch5847]

No, it's just a cave.

[@JaneEskayWaldmann]

@@stonecreekbiblechurch5847 pity

[@mels8966]

Leave the draw ajar between washes to avoid nearly all the mould in the first place. Leave the door open too. But if you need to clean it, try a steamer with a small brush attachment if you happen to own one. I took mine apart once because it wasn't dispensing fabric softener; one of the jets that fed water into the top section with the holes in was almost blocked sending the water out under the draw. Lots of pipes to detach, screws to remove and some awkward plastic clips holding the draw compartment together that could be easily broken. I wouldn't want to make a habit of it.

[@Federico84]

when I finish a cycle I completely remove the soap dispenser and I let the inside dry completely

[@stepbystephowto2981]

I do that as well. Mold still builds in the slot, but takes longer.

[@TheGiraffeQueen]

What I do is dampen the paper towels, dip them into the solution and place them where molds are. Come back later, scrub them if needed and it’s good to go!

[@Yay_be]

this is supposed to come enclosed with the instructions, is it not❔

[@pamlander8900]

Help! I can’t get the drawer to slider back in. It only goes half way.

[@christiansanich1116]

I don't know for sure without seeing it. But, they usually slide in on tracks, so just make sure you get the tracks lined up right, so that it slides smooth.

[@mature_washerDay]

Super video 👍...

[@Bothe55]

Top idea would be if a washing machine company comes up with the idea that after a single wash, there is something that brings hot air into this area so that the washing machine never gets mold! Because this only the mold that we can see and reach to clean, but the tube that connects the drawer with the drum has even more mold!!

[@stepbystephowto2981]

That is crazy to think about. You are probably right.

[@kymclinton3140]

I remove my draw after every wash wash that in a bowl and the inside I spray vinegar and bleach on a washing up brush and scrub with that much easier than a tooth brush and then I put the washing machine on a hot empty wash and then once a month I run the machine on a 90 degree wash with a washing machine descaler

[@mrmssan]

Yes, I've started using a bigger brush as well, but it doesn't get in the corners as well. Using a spray bottle to spray bleach-water in there eliminates most of the mold without even having to scrub, if you patiently wait for the bleach to kill the mold.

[@kyler579]

Thanks Dad!

[@justmemimi7338]

Ok, I’m accustomed to cleaning the tray, but am too terrified to look at the top of the dispenser tray cavity. 😳

[@chris8576a]

Manufacturers need to install venting.

[@carolyng.6405]

whoever designed this dispenser should be ashamed of themselves. How do these companies get away with crappy designs? I much rather have NO dispenser and measure what I need for each load. Having to clean this thing is a major PIA. I will NEVER buy another front loading washing machine after the one I have needs to be replaced. What a terrible design!

[@KkKk-px2le]

Literally cheap a55 plastic

[@mellow8886]

Exactly and mine is now ruined with limescale plus you can't even get in the dispenser draw housing in order to order to give it a good clean

[@mazmck6045]

This!! Literally all we have space for in the UK are machines like this. Unless your mega rich and have the space for top loader

[@EthanSingh7]

Absolutely

[@AyyuBX7]

✊🏾🙏🏾

[@kevinyork4757]

That is disgusting and a total design flaw.

[@pellumbavdullari9592]

un abonohem ne kete kanal nese perkthimi eshte ne gjuhen time shqip

[@pallipalli2594]

New sub

[@sjmom5119]

disgusting i hate front loading machines but my husband insists on them

[@maryt9704]

Shame about your T Shirt too nice

[@Gman-qm6bv]

Thank you!