How to remove and clean your washing machine soap drawer

After a period of use, a build-up of mould can sometimes form inside your washing machine drawer and the drawer compartment, which can cause your washing machine to smell. If this is the case you'll need to clean both of these, which is a fairly quick and easy job.

Removing the soap drawer from your washing machine is usually quite easy; depending on the make and model of your washing machine it may just pull out or there might be a button at the inside back of the drawer that you need to depress to release the drawer.

When you have removed the drawer, look inside the cavity to check for any mould there. The best way to clean this area is by spraying it with some antibacterial kitchen spray and scrubbing the mould off using an old toothbrush.

To clean the drawer itself, place it in a sink of hot water mixed with a drop of bleach which should kill off any bacteria, and scrub it well with the same toothbrush or an old scrubbing brush. It is advisable to wear rubber gloves while doing this to protect your hands from the bleach.

If the drawer is damaged or broken you may want to replace it with a new one, which you'll be able to find in our Washing Machine Drawer shop

BuySpares Top Tip:

If you want to avoid mould re-forming in your detergent drawer, Ensure the draw is allowed to dry out between washing as mould cannot grow in dry areas. This can be achieved by leaving open until completely dry.

* All information provided is a guide only. BuySpares accepts no liability for any problems occurred while attempting any advice shown. If in any doubt contact a qualified repair service.