Crunchy Clothes Conundrum

[douglas9401]

Hi, our Indesit auto washer has stopped taking the fabric softener from the drawer.

No sign of any blockage to the drum, the powder goes away fine, but the softener remains untouched.
If anybody has any suggestions for a remedy I'd be obliged.

Just off to work so I'll check back tonight.

Ta.

[mjwman]

Have you taken the drawer oyut completely to clean it and its compartment. The conditioner dispenser usually has a covered tube sticking up which can be dismantled. The hole often gets blocked up with gunge.

[Robinia]

Try giving the roof of the compartment a good scub with an old toothbush dipped in a weak bleach solution, there are some small holes that get blocked up, and then run a rinse cycle.
(My washer takes the conditioner during the wash cycle, it's old and confused)

[gingejbee]

The conditioner dispenses by syphon action...water enters the small compartment, the level of conditioner plus water rises and starts the syphon action. You should check that water is actually entering this small compartment when it should - does the conditioner get "watered down" or does it remain neat. If no water is going in to the conditioner compartment, suspect a faulty solenoid or faulty/blocked valve.

[douglas9401]

Thanks all for taking the time, that's Saturday morning taken care of. :-)

[pixie374]

Or just lob it straight into the drum.

[Tilly2]

I'd put the conditioner in the drawer and pour some water on it when it was time for the last rinse.

[MallyJ]

Don't use conditioner...it is unnecessary. It was invented simply to make money for the manufacturers.

[douglas9401]

Apologies, I thought I'd replied with results.

There was what looked like a small black oval grommet in the roof of the drawer compartment which, on investigation turned out to be congealed loveliness blocking the water flow to that part of the dispenser.
All fixed. :-)

[Spicerack]

Oh good, there's literally nothing worse than 'crunchy clothes'.

[douglas9401]

Sharp creases?