How to unclog fabric softener dispenser in washing machine

Cleaning the fabric softener dispenser is important to keep the dispenser working properly. The dispenser is easy to clean. Here's how to clean your dispenser type:Removable Dispensers: 

1. Remove the dispenser from the top of the agitator.

2. Separate the dispenser cup from the cover by grasping the top and pushing down on the inside of the cup with your fingers. The dispenser cup will pop free from the cover.

3. To clean the dispenser, soak both the dispenser cup and the dispenser cover in the following solution:  

   • 1 gallon (3.8 liters) warm water

   • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy duty liquid detergent

   • 1 cup (240 ml) bleach  

4. If necessary, loosen any build-up with a clean, soft cloth after soaking. Do not use a stiff brush; you may scratch the surface of the dispenser.

5. Rinse and reassemble the dispenser. Place the dispenser back onto the agitator.

Non-Removable Dispensers: 

1. Make a solution of hot water and liquid detergent.

2. Pour the mixture into the dispenser.

3. If the washer has a warm rinse option, use the warm setting and run the washer through the rinse cycle two or three times. If the washer only has cold rinse, pour hot sudsy water into the dispenser between rinses.

Tips to prevent build-up: 

• Always dilute your liquid softener with clean water, as recommended by the softener manufacturer.

• Once a month, fill the washer and dispenser with hot water and liquid detergent. Allow to stand for two hours and then run through a regular cycle.

View a video about using fabric softener: 

View a video for fixing a fabric softener in an agitator that is broken or noisy: 

Question: Unclogging a Fabric Softener Dispenser?

How do I unclog the fabric softener dispenser on my Frigidaire Affinity washing machine?

By Shirl

Answers

Michawn
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 188 Feedbacks

August 31, 20110 found this helpful

There was a similar question asked here, and it's the same answer I would have given. Vinegar. Warm some up in the microwave, put in the dispenser, let sit, then do a load of towels, use the vinegar instead of softener (shouldn't use softener on towels anyway, it cuts down on their soaking ability) and should be clean!

August 20, 20170 found this helpful

You states, to unclog a detergent softener in washer machine, use "Vinegar. Warm some up in the microwave, put in the dispenser, let sit, then do a load of towels..." You get to mention where in the dispenser should you place the vinegar.

The dispenser is divided into three compartments (detergent, softener and bleach).

Anonymous

September 1, 20170 found this helpful

If it is the softener dispenser that is clogged, the logical answer would be the softener dispenser...

A fabric softener is typically a conditioner applied to laundry during the rinse cycle in a washing machine to reduce the harshness in clothes dried in the air after machine washing. Fabric softeners, soaps, or grimes that move through the washing machine can clog the fabric softener dispenser resulting in it blocking the fabric softener dispenser. 

The more you use the fabric softener dispenser, the greater it has the chance that it will clog more. A blocked fabric softener dispenser can eventually cause failure in your washing machine. If your fabric softener dispenser is not dispensing properly, you can clean it manually.

Cleaning your fabric softener dispenser is crucial to working the dispenser accurately. It is an easy task to clean it. Primarily you can clean it by using a toothbrush or by running detergent water through the dispenser.

Also, there’re various ways how to clean fabric softener dispensers other than the primary one. The methods are given below:

Table of Contents

• How to Clean Fabric Softener Dispenser: 4 Ways & Step by Step Guide
• Method 1: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser with Detergent & Toothbrush
  • Locating The Fabric Softener Dispenser and Clean it
  • Step Number 1: Opening the lid
  • Step Number 2: Opening The Front Door
  • Step Number 3: Removal of The Dispenser 
• Method 2: Clean Your Fabric Softener Dispenser with Bleach & Dish Detergent
  • Clean The Fabric Softener Dispenser Manually
  • Step 1: Make a Cleaning Solution
  • Step 2: Plunged The Cleaning Solution’s Dispenser
  • Step 3: Agitation of The Solution
  • Step 4: Wipe The Dispenser
  • Step 5: Re-installation of The Fabric Softener Dispenser
• Method 3: Use Laundry Detergent to Clean Fabric Softener Dispenser
  • Clean a Non- removal dispenser:
  • Step 1: Making The Solution
  • Step 2: Pour The Solution Into The Fabric Softener Dispenser
  • Step 3: Run The Warm Rinses
• Method 4: Using Baking Soda & Vinegar
  • Simple Tips to Prevent Build-up:
  • Care for Your Fabric Softener Dispenser:
• Conclusion:

Method 1: Cleaning Fabric Softener Dispenser with Detergent & Toothbrush

Materials Needed:

• Water
• Detergent
• Toothbrush

Locating The Fabric Softener Dispenser and Clean it

Step Number 1: Opening the lid

Begin the procedure by opening the washing machine lid. If your washing machine is a top-loading washing machine, lift the lid in the way that you’re going to put in a new load of laundry.

The location of the fabric softener dispenser is one of the corners right under the lid. Depending on your washing machine’s structure, it could be located next to the detergent dispenser or the bleach dispenser.

In case you can’t find the dispenser’s location, go through the washing machine’s manual. It should contain the layout and location of all the parts of the washing machine.

Step Number 2: Opening The Front Door

Continue the procedure by opening the front door of the washing machine. If your washing machine is a front-loading washing machine, access the softener dispenser look on the top of the machine.

There’re slots for laundry detergents & bleach under a lid on top of the machine next to the drawers. Just in case you can’t find the fabric softener dispenser there, it may be located inside the main door. You can go through the manual as well.

Step Number 3: Removal of The Dispenser 

Some washing machine has the function of removing the fabric softener dispenser. If your washing machine is a removal one, reach it.

Pull the dispenser out of your washing machine smoothly. This process will help you to clean the dispenser easily. Most likely, the fabric softener dispenser will be gunky and clogged with soap and fabric softener. Now clean it using a mixture of water and detergent and a toothbrush.

If your washing machine has a non-removal fabric softener dispenser, you can still clean it while lodged within the laundry machine.

Check Also: 3 Ways to Clean Sunbrella Fabric

Method 2: Clean Your Fabric Softener Dispenser with Bleach & Dish Detergent

Materials Needed:

• 1-gallon warm water
• ¼ cup of liquid dish detergent
• 1 cup of bleach

Clean The Fabric Softener Dispenser Manually

Step 1: Make a Cleaning Solution

In a large bucket, make a solution using 1 gallon of warm water, ¼ cup of liquid dish detergent, and 1 cup of bleach. While making and using the cleaning solution, wear rubber gloves as bleach is corrosive and harmful. Please wear old clothes while making and using the cleaning solution if bleach splashes on them. Don’t worry; you can easily find those cleaning supplies at your local grocery store.

Step 2: Plunged The Cleaning Solution’s Dispenser

Wearing rubber gloves, place the fabric softener dispenser into the cleaning solution gently and carefully. Watch out for any of the cleanings don’t solution splash on you. Soak the dispenser for 5-10 minutes to clean the residue from the plastic.

Step 3: Agitation of The Solution

Lightly shake the bucket of the solution. The solution will flow over the fabric softener dispenser and dislodge the grimes stuck on the dispenser. Again be careful that the bleach solution doesn’t splash on you. Depending on the gunk and grime, agitate the bucket once or twice.

Step 4: Wipe The Dispenser

Wearing rubber gloves, after 10 minutes pulled the dispenser out of the mixture. Using a cotton cloth, wipe the fabric softener dispenser clean and remove all the soap residue. Now dry the dispenser. There’re some areas of your dispenser that you can’t clean with a cloth. In that case, use a toothbrush.

Step 5: Re-installation of The Fabric Softener Dispenser

After removing and cleaning the fabric softener dispenser, now it’s time to set it back in place in your washing machine.

Next Read: How to Remove Hot Glue From Fabric & Clothes

Method 3: Use Laundry Detergent to Clean Fabric Softener Dispenser

Materials Needed:

• Warm water
• Laundry Detergent
• Cotton Cloth

Clean a Non- removal dispenser:

Step 1: Making The Solution

Put a small cup of regular laundry detergent into a large bucket and fill the bucket with warm water.

Step 2: Pour The Solution Into The Fabric Softener Dispenser

Gently pour the solution into the laundry softener dispenser. Be careful not to split any of the solutions. Next, set the warm rinse mode and run the washing machine to run the solution through the fabric softener dispenser.

If your washing machine doesn’t have the setting of a warm rinse, use a cool rinse instead. In that case, you’ll have to pour hot water into the fabric softener dispenser between each rinse.

Step 3: Run The Warm Rinses

To clean out all the grime from the fabric softener dispenser with detergent solution, repeat the rinsing process at least three times. Not to forget, each time, you have to pour another bucket of warm water and laundry detergent into the fabric softener dispenser.

For better results, use a toothbrush to reach inside your washing machine and wipe out all grime that hasn’t been cleaned with the detergent and water solution.

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Method 4: Using Baking Soda & Vinegar

Materials Needed:

• Water (1 gallon)
• Distilled white vinegar (2 cups)
• Baking soda (optional)

Suppose your fabric softener dispenser is not thoroughly cleaned by using the liquid detergent water mentioned in the previous three steps. In that case, you can do those processes by using a vinegar and baking soda mixture.

It will give you a better result for sure. Mix 1 gallon of water and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Could you not add any other detergents to it? Now use the mixture in the previous methods. This solution will help to clean the fabric softener dispenser more frequently and remove all the musty odors.

But try to avoid using vinegar in your fabric softener dispenser too frequently. Vinegar can harm rubber parts inside of the fabric softener dispenser and eventually result in leaks.

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Simple Tips to Prevent Build-up:

• Always dilute your fabric softener dispenser with clean water.
• Filling the fabric softener dispenser with hot water & liquid detergent and allowing it to stand for 2-hours is essential. Then run through a regular cycle. Do this process once a month.
• Some washing machine has the function to use liquid or powdered fabric softener. However, the powder softener is likely to cause a clog in the dispenser. For this reason, most manufacturers recommend using liquid softeners.

Care for Your Fabric Softener Dispenser:

• Always dry the fabric softener dispenser before adding powder detergent. It will help to prevent caking the detergent. Also, make sure the liquid detergent dispenser is removed.
• Be careful that the dispenser doesn’t overload with detergent.
• After using the washing machine, clean out the remaining detergent.
• During a wash cycle, make sure that the detergent dispenser drawer is fully closed.
• If the liquid is closed to the maximum level at the cycle’s end, clean the dryer to eliminate the blockages.

Conclusion:

So by now, you already know the right way to clean fabric softener dispensers using household materials without any difficulties. It’s entirely your decision which method will serve you the best to clean your fabric softener dispenser. But it’s urged strictly to deeply wash your fabric softener dispenser every 2 or 3 months. Always be careful about your safety while cleaning the fabric softener dispenser.  

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