Product for cleaning the innards of my washing machine?

[OTheHugeManatee]

My washing machine's fabric softener tray has got sort of bunged up with fabric softener residue. Does anyone know of a product that could help rinse this out and get it running smoothly again? At the moment the machine still works fine but I have to pour excess water out of the fabric softener tray before running it, which is a pain. Any recommendations appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Oooh, good tip, thanks. I have tried before not very hard really, just sort of in passing to remove the tray but will see if I can find a catch and have another go.

Am I right in thinking as well that there are products you can buy that you put through a washing machine to stop the pipes getting clogged up with residue?

You can also put that tray in the dishwasher if you want. You can buy loads of cleaners to run through the machine, about £5 a pack, but what I do is a handful of soda crystals in the drum and a 90 deg wash every once in a while. The other alternative is white vinegar (half a pint I think) and a hot wash.

Yup, soda crystals. You are supposed to run an empty hot wash (no detergent) once a month - Google 'maintenance wash' for info.

I was following another washing machine thread and came across this

It prompted me to rethink how I use my washing machine. I also found this product which I will buy next time I go to the Lakeland shop.