Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

[cliffhanger]

We have a Zanussi Aquacycle 1200. About a year ago it stopped taking in conditioner. I cleaned out the tray etc but still no good. In the end I traced the problem to the water feed galleries above the tray, which were blocked solid with black slime. Cure was to take the whole tray enclosure out (a pig of a job), and jet out the galleries then soak in steriliser fluid. Now a year on it’s blocked again. How can I stop this happening? We do only low temperature washes and use a non-bio tablet in the wash, but use the tray for conditioner. Help please! Iain

[gegsy]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Put the detergent in the drum before the washing is inserted. Whats been happening, when the water enters the drawer it sprays the detergent upwards where it settles,blocks and cultivates.

Greg

[cliffhanger]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Thanks Gegsy, but like I said, we use a non-bio tablet straight into the drum with the clothes. Only put condtioner in the drawer, and don’t know of a way to add this directly. Cheers.

[gegsy]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Ok then 😳 its probably the type of water you have. The best thing would be to change the whole soap compartment and start afresh putting tablets in the drum as you are doing.

Greg

[robdray]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

If you were to use a 2x tablets that contains a bleach ( a bio tablet such as, say for instance, Ariel Bio) and put them straight in the draw ( its ok, they’re designed for it ) once a month with a 90 degree wash, you would be doing what is known as a service wash … the reason for the mould is the bacteria that is not getting killed off by using a non bio detergent … even tho you are putting them in the draw moisture with bacteria is obviuosly still accumalating … will help to keep the rest of the machine bug free too

[Martin]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

A much easier way to clear the black slime from the fabric conditioner “galleries” is to poke a small plastic ‘cable tie’ up the relevant nozzle. Set the machine on a final rinse cycle a couple of times to check it’s cleared should do it 8)

As Rob says, a service wash now and again is beneficial, also leave the soap drawer and porthole door open slightly after use 😉

[kwatt]

It is possible that the conditioner is the problem, allowing bacteria to breed especially if you get the usual residues left.

All sound advice so far, but I’d be tempted to try using Bold tablets (not liquid) or powder to stop, or at least lessen, the problem as well as doing the maintenance washes.

K.

[cliffhanger]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Thanks for all the tips so far – top site! We’re going to try the hot wash tonight. Also tried rodding it with a cable tie, but can’t get it in very far 😳 ! Have emailed Severn Trent to see why their water does this – not just the washing m/c but shower heads, grout etc all go black – nice :eeek: ! Any other ideas welcomed. Cheers, Iain

[Penguin45]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Hot water is always dirty water – it’s why your Granny never fills the kettle from the hot tap.

Penguin45.

[cliffhanger]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Thanks Penguin, but the m/c only takes cold water on the low temperature washes we use 😕

[Stroggy]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

I have a similar problem with conditioner not going through, however, we have had someone out to look at it and he said we needed a part that goes from the dispenser to the machine? We didn’t hear from him again and wonder if this is something we can buy online and do ourselves?

[iadom]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

To give you some idea of the damage you are doing to your machine by only doing low temperature washes, this is a drum support I have recently removed from a 3 year old Hotpoint machine, this customer used liquids and only washed at low temperatures. No prizes for guessing the before and after. 😉

With correct dosage, a good quality detergent, regular hot washes, ( try washing a load of whites or something similar once a week on a 60° wash), together with the maintenance wash already suggested, I have seen 15 year old drum supports look almost as clean as the one on the left.

[iadom]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Stroggy wrote:I have a similar problem with conditioner not going through, however, we have had someone out to look at it and he said we needed a part that goes from the dispenser to the machine? We didn’t hear from him again and wonder if this is something we can buy online and do ourselves?

What make/model is your machine?

[cliffhanger]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

Thanks guys – got the water flowing again. Looks thick the hot service wash and cable ties did it. Now leaving the soap drawer open when the m/c is idle, but it don’t half make the room wiff 🙁 . I’ll try another hot wash, then repeat once a month. Cheers! :beer:

[cliffhanger]

Re: Soap tray water galleries blocked with mould

“thick” – how’d that get in there? – should read “like” 😳

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