Washing machine - removing drawer compartment (the whole thing) - have you ever done it?

[moragbellingham]

So, I have a lovely clean drawer and have tried to clean the inside where the drawer goes.
But now I can see that there's lots more black gunk in there just waiting to block it up.
The thought of the water running through this to get to the drawer is also making me feel a bit yukky.

I'm tempted to unscrew the face plate thing to get really inside it but think DH might find me in a pile of metal and screws when he gets home.

Anyone done it, and how often do you?

The holes in mine where the water comes into the drawer were actually blocked by the black stuff so I poked up through the holes with a bent paper clip to try and scrape it out which helped, but I suppose the entire water inlet system is covered in it anyway!

The difficulty is that on some machines it is difficult to get the dial linkages lined up again or there could be low voltage electrical harnesses which can also be tricky to get back if you aren't used to doing it.

I wouldn't bother, after all, you could take your whole washing machine apart piece by piece and still not get it totally clean

last time I did a service wash I sprayed bathroom cleaner down the compartment, good scrubbing with old toothbrush where I could reach. rinsed as well as possible with warm water from a spray bottle.
but still a lot of nooks and crannies especially at the top I couldn*t reach...

Oh God, maybe I won't bother.
I suppose you're right about the pipes and all being covered in it, you just don't see it.
I have found a much better use for a crochet hook than ever before.
(Also good for pulling lost bits of elastic through waistbands!)

I've got some Fairy power spray somewhere too.