Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

If you ever see water in the softener dispenser, you must do THIS urgently…

Imagine this: You’ve just completed a load of laundry, expecting soft, fragrant clothes that practically whisper, freshness. But as you pull out the dispenser drawer for a quick post wash check, you notice something unsettling, water sitting where the fabric softener once was. It’s not supposed to be there. At first, you might dismiss it as a minor hiccup. But is it?

That unassuming pool of water could be a symptom of a larger issue lurking in your washing machine, silently sabotaging your laundry. The good news? Most of the time, the problem is entirely fixable, and you won’t need to call in the pros.

But ignoring it could lead to clogged components, ineffective washes, and an unhappy machine. Let’s get into what’s causing this watery mishap and, more importantly, how you can solve and prevent it like a laundry detective.

Table of Contents

Why Water Left In The Fabric Conditioner Drawer Can Be Dangerous

A small residue of water left behind in the fabric softener dispenser after a wash cycle is generally harmless. But if you notice a substantial amount, it could lead to serious problems. For instance;

Mould Growth
Washing machines are the perfect environment for the growth of mould and mildew. If any of these spores get transferred onto your clothes, it can make them smell seriously mouldy and unclean.
A Clogged Dispenser Channel
Once the dispenser channel gets clogged, your detergent and fabric softener will not be able to get into the wash to work on your laundry.
Detergent Residue On Clothes
A buildup of detergent clogging the dispenser can lead to a residue on your washed laundry. This will make your clothes look and smell as if they haven’t been washed at all.

How The Fabric Softener Compartment Actually Works

Before we start to look at what’s causing the problem, it’ll help if you understand how the fabric softener compartment works. The softener compartment is designed to release fabric softener at just the right time during the wash.

When water flows into the compartment, it flushes the softener out into the drum to do its thing. Ideally, the compartment is left empty, softener gone, water drained.

What makes that happen? A small (but important) plastic syphon tube in the back of the drawer. As the water fills up, it starts a syphoning action that drains everything out. But if that little tube gets clogged, the water has nowhere to go. That’s why you’re left with a softener compartment full of water.

Why Is There Water Left In The Softener Compartment?

The main culprit here is usually a buildup of fabric softener. Over time, softener residue can dry up and harden, forming a sticky mess that blocks the syphon tube.

If the tube is blocked, water can’t drain, and the compartment ends up looking like a tiny reservoir.

But a clog isn’t the only thing that could cause this. There are a few other possibilities we’ll get into.

How To Fix A Blocked Syphon Tube

Getting the syphon tube clean is easier than you might think. Here’s how to do it:

Pull Out & Clean The Drawer
Take out the dispenser drawer and give it a good clean. Focus on the syphon tube, clean it from top to bottom so there’s no gunk left in there.
Soak It If Necessary
If you can’t remove the drawer, fill it with hot water and a little liquid detergent. Let it soak for about 20 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly.
Flush The System
Once everything’s clean, run a few rinse cycles in your washing machine. Pour some hot water into the dispenser between cycles to clear out any lingering residue.

That should do the trick! Your dispenser should now drain properly after every wash.

Other Reasons Your Softener Compartment Might Be Holding Water

If cleaning the syphon tube doesn’t fix the problem, one of these might be to blame:

The Machine Isn’t Sitting Level

If your washing machine is tilted, water might not drain properly from the softener compartment. Check with a spirit level, and adjust the feet on the machine if needed to make it sit nice and flat.

Low Water Pressure

If the water pressure in your home is weak, it might not be enough to properly flush out the fabric softener. Over time, this can cause buildup that clogs the dispenser.

You might need to look into contacting your local water authority or boosting your water pressure.

Mid Cycle Interruptions

A sudden power cut or an accidental stop can leave the machine hanging mid cycle, disrupting the flow of water through the dispenser.

If this happens, restart the machine to complete the cycle and ensure the dispenser drains.

Faulty Parts

If nothing else seems to explain the problem, it could be a mechanical issue (although this is rare). A damaged drawer or a broken valve might need repairing or replacing.

If you suspect this might be the case, contact an engineer to inspect and replace/repair as necessary.

How to Prevent This From Happening Again

A person putting laundry detergent into a washing machine

Once you’ve got everything running smoothly, you’ll want to make sure it stays that way. Here’s how to keep your softener compartment from getting clogged in the future:

Don’t Overfill The Dispenser
More fabric softener isn’t better, it’s just messy. Use the recommended amount, and never pour powdered detergent into the softener compartment.
Add Soda Crystals To Your Wash
Soda crystals are a simple way to keep your machine’s pipes and hoses clean. They help soften the water, too, which means less buildup overall.
Run A Vinegar Wash Every Month
Pour two cups of white vinegar into the detergent drawer and run a hot wash cycle with no clothes. This clears out soap scum, limescale, and other gunk. If there’s a faint vinegar smell afterward, just run another rinse cycle to clear it out.
Clean The Drawer Regularly
Take a few minutes every month to clean the dispenser drawer. A quick rinse and scrub can save you a lot of hassle down the line.

Wrapping It Up

A softener compartment full of water might seem like a small thing, but it’s a sign that something isn’t right. Luckily, with a bit of know how and regular maintenance it’s usually an easy fix. Whether it’s clearing a blockage or leveling your machine, these simple steps can get everything back to normal.

Once your washing machine is back in action, you’ll wonder why you didn’t tackle this sooner. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, give your machine a bit of TLC, and enjoy laundry that’s fresh, clean, and hassle free. You’ve got this!

If you’ve ever found water in your washer’s fabric softener drawer how did you get rid of it? Do you have any washing machine malfunction stories of your own? Let us know in the comments.

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