Black ‘gunge’ type stuff in washing machine

[NeilM]

Putting this post in this forum since it’s not JUST a washing machine problem – more of a plumbing problem, we think.
Hotpoint WMA56P…
Black stuff appearing in conditioner dispenser drawer and sometimes preventing conditioner leaving the drawer. Taking out the drawer revealed the black stuff stuck above the drawer.

Since we have seen the same sort of material appearing in the upstairs toilet and in shower head it seems most likely to be in the water supply.

I’ve checked the cold water tank in the loft and it seems clean apart from the usual thin layer of sand on the bottom.

The only thing I can think of is that just after we moved in here in December 2001, the boiler packed up and we put the immersion heater on. Unfortunately its thermostat had stuck open and we woke in the morning to boiling water and even steam coming out of the cold taps. The tank seems to have survived the incident without problem.

Could it have any connection with our problem

[kwatt]

Re: Black ‘gunge’ type stuff in washing machine

Hi Neil,

The common one we see is shown here but it could be something in the water as well. If you follow that article though and some of the related ones at the bottom it will help, with the washer at least.

K.

[NeilM]

Re: Black ‘gunge’ type stuff in washing machine

Sorry for delay in coming back on this – thanks for info. Our instruction manual mentioned using the cleaning cycle when machine was first installed but doesn’t seem to mention it as a regular routine (I may have missed it, of course). Anyway, we ran the recommended routine and it certainly seems better. Still a bit of muck, but a second run hopefully will see it off!

We seem to have fairly soft water in North Warwickshire, (rarely have to clean out the kettle like we did in Banbury!), so hopefully that will extend its life a bit longer than average. The cleaning will now become a regular routine! 🙂

Thanks again for your help.

[NeilM]

Re: Black ‘gunge’ type stuff in washing machine

FYI – A belated addition to this thread. My better half was concerned that our water supply might not be quite as clean as it might be so we called in a local plumber. He said the pipework was OK and there were no dead birds in the cold water tank(!). He was puzzled and phoned a colleague who said he had the same trouble in his house. “It’s mildew – standing water in warm damp conditions.”

He suggested that (within reason according to weather) try to have windows open in bathroom and toilet; and since our utility room has no window, run the extractor fan whenever we use the washing machine and tumble drier.

The best bit was the exchange that went “What do I owe you?”….. “Nothing, I was passing this way anyway and haven’t actually had to do anything. Call the cup of tea payment”. 🙂

Off now to give the machine its cleaning cycle.

Thanks again for your help.

[Trilobite]

Re: Black ‘gunge’ type stuff in washing machine

Be careful of black mould! It releases spores, as all moulds do, which can be inhaled. They have ended up embedded in peoples lungs where they cause respiratory problems and can even grow to large obstructive sizes!

A solution of water and chlorine bleach inactivates the mould spores, so this would be suitable for soaking the shower head, and cleaning the powder drawer on the washing machine.

Squirt bleach up under the toilet rim (DO NOT MIX with acidic toilet cleaners!).

For the TOILET CISTERN, if mould is present in it, you can obtain those ‘drop-in cistern blocks’. Look for the ones that are coloured white (not those pretty blue tablets) and have “dichloroisocyanurate”, or “chlorine-based bleach” ingredients. The blocks will gradually dissolve over a period of time, killing the mould and cleaning the loo as it flushes.

[Author]

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