How often do you clean your washing machine drawer?

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deathbypuppies_@reddit

I leave the drawer and the door open each wash. I probably scrub the drawer once every month or two, but there’s never been any visible mildew.

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RnLee20@reddit

I don’t because I use liquid pods only and never use fabric softener. Only time the drawer is used is for whitening bleach.

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I take it out after every wash, rinse it and let it dry. And shove a microfiber round inside to dry the space.. Sounds unbelievable, but I've learnt the hard way of never doing that. So now its routine.

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MidasToad@reddit

I haven't used that drawer in years - I don't think I've ever opened it in my current machine. Pods in the barrel is the way!

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AlwaysTheKop@reddit

It's good to open the drawer still when the machine ends to allow moisture to escape because water is still rinsed through there.

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pouldycheed@reddit

Yeah, that drawer gets gross fast. I rinse mine out every month or so and do a proper scrub if I see mildew starting. Takes like 5 minutes and stops the smell building up. Also leave the drawer slightly open after washes so it can dry out. Makes a big difference.

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docmagoo2@reddit (OP)

Noted. I guess as I use pods and sheets and rarely use the drawer I kinda forgot about it. Presumably it gets rinsed with water during the cycle regardless so you still have that moisture

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AlwaysTheKop@reddit

A good rule of thumb is to leave open and door on a washer after use, I just leave the main door and the drawer open slightly ajar at all times when not in use.

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AlwaysTheKop@reddit

Never use the drawer, fabric conditioner wrecks your pipes, imagine the mess it makes of that drawer inside your tubing?.... I only use pods now or liquid straight into the drum. My clothes have actually started smelling better and feeling better because fabric conditioner leaves a coating on your clothes too that ruins them over time and stops them from washing properly in the future.

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West_Yorkshire@reddit

I only use pods/sheets because condition/powder makes my washing machine gunky and stinky.

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Icy-Astronomer-8202@reddit

Same here! Pod people ftw!

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RaspberryJammm@reddit

Sheets are very ineffective at cleaning. When they've done studies its been lowest performing by a country mile with powder coming up top.

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West_Yorkshire@reddit

As long as my clothes smell nice then I'm gucci

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Uhurahoop@reddit

Yes same here. Sheets for the win!

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skybluepink77@reddit

Thank you for reminding me! My drawer gets washed when I remember...which isn't as often as it should be - which I guess is at least every month.

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smellyfeet25@reddit

EVERY TIME I USE IT, you have soap powder in there plus detergent so it needs cleaning

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Few_Ad7164@reddit

I don't! But 98% of the time, I never use that drawer. I just put powdered biological detergent (with enzymes) in the bottom of the washing machine drum, and the drawer stays lovely and clean. The remaining 5% of the time, I used the drawer for non-bio powder when I wash woollens. Just to ensure all the powder dissolves properly, as woollen washes are much shorter, and feature less agitation. I've read that using powder detergent at hot temperatures reduces washing machine stink, compared to liquid or gel cap detergents, at lower temperatures. Also, using fabric softener can lead to build up of machine funk.

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ComplexBeautiful5152@reddit

I clean my machine monthly. Service wash i take the soap drawer out after and put it through the dishwasher.

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clbbcrg@reddit

I never use thr drawer for this reason.. I also leave it open for a few hours after using the machine

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RaspberryJammm@reddit

I leave it open to dry after wash finishes (alongside drum) and haven't had to clean it in the 16 months I've owned my current machine.

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BG3restart@reddit

I use pods, so only Vanish goes in there for the odd grubby item. I tend to leave the drawer open when I'm not using the machine, so it gets aired out anyway.

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terryjuicelawson@reddit

I used to have to a lot, it got black gunk inside, but whatever configuration of liquids and powders I use now seems to be OK. I don't use conditioner these days if that helps, only liquid detergent, some antibacterial stuff, some of that oxy powder if things look particularly dirty.

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PrimordialChaos9@reddit

When the fabric softener bit has a bit of water in it, I do it then. Normally every 1.5 months

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mk6971@reddit

Every few months when the auto dispenser is empty. To reduce the mould open the drawer and and machine front door after every wash. Lets the machine air dry.

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Embarrassed_Park2212@reddit

I usually do mine monthly when I run the clean cycle. If you leave the draw and the washing machine door open after you've used it, it will help to dry it out and cut down the mould.

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UniqueTart6744@reddit

I’ve never needed to clean it. It looks fine. I only put laundry detergent and sometimes a bit of vinegar in the drawer. We don’t use fabric conditioners and we have soft water here.

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DaughterOfATiredMech@reddit

Monthly. Also clean seals and bottom empty tray at the same time.

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Lessarocks@reddit

Every time I use it. When finished, I remove the drawer, rinse it out and leave it to dry. I dry the inside of the drawer cavity with a paper towel. I learned that I had to do this the hard way. With my first ever machine, I got mould in the drawer, cavity, and rubber seal. Now the machine is left open to air after use. I do t get mould in my washing machine machines any more. It’s one of those things I wish my parents had taught me before I left home lol.

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Final_Flounder9849@reddit

Stop using fabric conditioner and the issue will go away.

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pandabearrose@reddit

Gets less gross if you always pull it out as far as possible when load ends.... & leave to air for a good few hours... Door open drawer open... No smelly grossness - I wash the softener section maybe 4 times a year?...

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krowmada@reddit

i take it out after every wash and leave it to dry upside down on the draining board and it never gets dirty. but i don't use any softer or soap in the draw itself. i just use soap tablets in the drum during a wash.

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Madyakker@reddit

Every time the washing machine has done a cycle I’ll take it out, rinse it then leave it to dry.

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MaltedMilkBiscuits10@reddit

I don't have to that often. Washing powder goes directly into the drum. The softener doesn't leave any residue. Every week on a Sunday night I'll pop a dishwasher tablet into the drum and put it on a boil wash. It removes grime and leaves a nice lemon fragrance after. I'm lucky to be in an incredibly soft water area though so don't tend to suffer with any issues if build up etc. The hard minerals in other peoples water seems to cause a lot of issues with timescale and detergents gumming up rather than dissolving. It's either that or people are using too low of a temperature too frequently. I'm still regularly using boil washes and 60 washes due to pet blankets.

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Dhorlin@reddit

Every time it's used otherwise the pong gets pretty bad.

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TulipTattsyrup99@reddit

Every week, it gets a scrub along with the dish drainer.

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Intelligent-Tea-4241@reddit

I’ve never done this..

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Dodge1o0@reddit

Every time we use it. Pop it out, empty the standing water, give it a quick wipe and pop it back in. Leave it open to allow it to dry. Haven’t had any mould or mildew issues at all.

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moonlight_xpress@reddit

Same here. I also use a bit of vinegar instead of fabric softener. Mind you, I didn't now washing mmachines needed cleaning for the first five years, until I found all the mould behind the rubber....

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OneNormalBloke@reddit

Exactly this. We religiously do this after every wash.

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SiriusBlack99999@reddit

I think some drawer designs are better than others. My ten year old high end Samsung washer drawer needs cleaning once or twice a year. My Mum's LG washer drawer has an overly complicated design and needs cleaning a lot to stop black gunk forming.

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simundo86@reddit

Wipe all the moisture out after every use. Take the drawer out 3 times a year and clean inside

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Indigo-Waterfall@reddit

I clean my machine once a month. This includes a cleaning cycle with washing machine cleaner and washing out the drawer.

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melanie110@reddit

I rinse almost every time but I always leave it open along with with the door

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SgtByrd1993@reddit

Twice a month, but even if I clean the drawer and the hole that it goes in the mould/mildew just grows back fast. It's especially hard to clean inside, even with an old toothbrush, because of the shape.

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SgtByrd1993@reddit

Twice a month, but even if I clean the drawer and the hole that it goes in the mould/mildew just grows back fast and it's especially hard to clean inside even with an old toothbrush because of the shape.

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Koda614@reddit

Every couple of months I’ll see it starting to look gross so pull it out and give it a wash

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