There is no doubt that pouring water from the detergent tray of your washing machine can be a concern. It can quickly flood your floors and render your washing machine inefficient, leaving you without your much-needed laundry facilities.
But what causes it and is it always easy to fix? I was really hoping my problem would be straightforward, and just a case of cleaning the right parts. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy, but it was still a job I could fix myself.
So, before you start looking How long does a washing machine last? And invest in a new one, or pay for expensive plumber call-out charges, follow the steps I took to fix my leak and get my machine working like new.
Reasons why your washing machine’s detergent tray is leaking
The first thing you need to find out is why the detergent tray is leaking water. As you might expect, there can be many causes, so it’s often a process of elimination. If I’m not sure, I usually start with the easier, less time-consuming option.
1. Blocked detergent drawer or housing
At Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair specialist domestic and ordinaryOne of the most common causes states: “A blocked detergent drawer or housing is a common cause of overflow, usually due to a buildup of detergent, fabric softener, or mold restricting water flow.”
I pulled out my detergent tray (a simple thing we can all do) to see if that made a difference – but it didn’t.
The water was still pouring, but now I could see more of what was happening by removing the detergent tray.
My top tip at this stage? Make sure you have someone with you who can turn off the washing machine at the power point to stop the water flow immediately. Also, keep a bath towel nearby to prevent any stray water from dripping onto the floor.
2. Blocked distributor hose
Now I could see what was really going on inside, I could see the water running over the tray, as it should. However, after a few seconds, the drain in the drum filled up, and water once again flowed from the tray area onto the floor. Once again, make sure you have someone next to the power point with a quick switch off.
The fact that the leak continued indicated that the problem in my machine was a blockage somewhere else (and which I later found to be in the dispenser hose).
Ian Palmer-Smith confirms that this is another common problem. “A blocked or partially blocked dispenser hose can prevent water from flowing properly into the drum, causing it to back-up and spill.”
3. Less common problems
There are also a few other problems that can cause detergent trays to leak, says Ian Palmer-Smith.
“Overusing or using the wrong type of detergent, such as non-HE detergent (a non-high energy product is more suitable for older top-loading machines), can contribute to the problem even in modern machines by creating excessive suds, leading to foam overflow from the tray.”
“Other contributing factors include low water pressure or uneven water flow, which can prevent the drawer from flushing cleanly and cause water to splash forward,” he adds, “as well as clogged spray jets that misdirect water toward the front of the dispenser.”
Ian Palmer-Smith is the Service Delivery Director at Domestic & General and a home appliance service and repair specialist with over 39 years of professional service. Ian is our expert when it comes to plumbing, boiler and carbon monoxide safety.
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Cleaning the dispenser tray
If you have identified that the leak is in the dirty dispenser tray, cleaning it is a simple task and you start by removing the detergent drawer and the drawer bin. Take a look at your instruction manual if it doesn’t come out easily as there may be a specific method to follow for your particular machine.
Michael Forbes, Chief Product Trainer AEGShares what to do next. “Warm water and a soft brush are usually enough to remove detergent build-up.” To help keep it free of limescale, he also suggests you “run a regular maintenance wash using a dedicated washing machine cleaner, especially in hard water areas.”
Keen to prevent the problem from recurring? “Using the right amount of detergent for the load size and your local water hardness is an important part of keeping your washing machine running efficiently,” advises Michael.
Even if the problem is elsewhere, it’s worth doing this as well as any other work to stop the leak.
Michael Forbes has extensive expertise in appliance technology and innovation with a deep understanding of all kitchen and laundry appliances.
Removing and cleaning a blocked distributor hose
Before I started removing the parts, I thought I’d try pouring hot water down the distributor hose, along with pushing a flexible pipe cleaner around the inside. This might work for you, but not for me because the foam bits that got stuck inside caused a blockage, so I had no choice but to get into the inside of the washing machine.
Here are the steps I took to remove, clean and reattach the hose.
1. Unplug from power and move
The first step was to turn off and unplug the washing machine before I did anything else. Safety first. Most washing machines also don’t sit in the open, so, like me, you’ll need to pull the top cover out to access it. Instead of pulling the drain hose and risking damage, I simply put my end in a bucket so the water wouldn’t spill onto the floor.
2. Remove the top
The top or lid of the washing machine is usually held in place by a Phillips screw at the back of the machine. Undo these with a suitable screwdriver and place them in the container. Slide from the top to see inside the machine.
3. Access the dispenser tube
To access the dispenser hose, you’ll need to undo the screw that holds the detergent tray in place (again, put the screw in the container you’ll have handy for this reason).
Now maneuver the train to reach the dispenser hose. You may also need to remove the water pipes behind the tray. I didn’t have to do this, but if you do, the holding clips are usually removed by pushing them together by hand.
4. Remove the distributor hose
My dispenser hose is attached to the underside of the detergent tray so I unclipped it, pulled the hose and moved the tray out of the way. Then you will need to remove the bottom of the distributor tube. I needed a small spanner to loosen the clip holding it in place. Place the clip with the screw you set aside so you don’t lose it.
Another quick tip is if the clips are difficult to squeeze together, use a pair of pliers to make the job easier.
5. Clean and replace hose
Next, take the hose and remove any debris by hand. Mine was filled with bits of foam padding that broke in the wash. However, usually, the blockage will be from detergent build-up. If this is the case, squeeze the hose to break up the detergent, then rinse with warm water until it runs clear.
Now comes the fun part. Replace the dispenser hose and make sure any clips are in place. One option I often do is to take pictures of the removal and unclipping process to help you remember how the parts were fitted.
Also remember that the dispenser hose needs to be secure when you reattach it otherwise, you’ll be back to work again. Make sure you attach any pipes behind the detergent tray and put the tray back in place. Finally, secure the detergent tray and lid with the screws you set aside.
Before you start the machine, be sure to check and Clean the washing machine filterBecause this can have debris inside as well – mine did.
Where do you keep your washing machine? Could it be time to move? Check out our Utility room Guidelines and Small utility room ideas To make the most of your space. Or, how about one Laundry room upstairs? It’s becoming increasingly popular with home renovators and it’s easy to understand why once you see it.
