How to clean washing machine drawer?

[FindingMeno]

A lumpy layer of washing powder has solidified in the drawer ( from low temp washes not fully dissolving it?)
I now dose directly into the drum, but has anyone got any idea of how to remove this deposit without causing damage?
It looks horrible and potentially harbours bacteria.
I have tried washing machine cleaners, and wonder if my only solution now is to see if I can buy a new drawer from the manufacturers?

Have you taken the drawer out of the machine to clean it? I use soda crystals in hot water and soak the drawer to clean it out. Gets rid of everything.

The drawers usually lift out so they can be cleaned thoroughly. Have you checked underneath to see if there's a tab you need to lift or press to remove the drawer?

I've stuck out washing machine drawer in the dishwasher before, looked new when it came out.

You should be able to take the drawer out. On my Bosch you press the piece of plastic above the softener area and it comes out. You can then give it a good clean with hot water

I put my powder straight in the drum. Saves gunking up the drawer and it doesn't do anything different.

Pull it out (Google or YouTube if you don’t know how). Bucket of hot water to soak with a cleaning agent (citric acid, vinegar, whatever you have). Soak for a while then scrub. You may also need to clean out the drawer casing (cloth with Cleaning solution and a toothbrush).

@DurhamDurham

i imagine it would, but I wouldn't put it in with dishes and it would seem like such a waste to put it in on its own...

@FindingMeno have you taken it out of the machine? It will come out ( you need to lift the front a bit, don't just keep pulling. Then just scrub in the sink one end at a time. Hot water & dishwashing liquid with an old dishes brush (or new one for 'dirty jobs'. Don't use the dishes one!)

@Northernsoullover she said she does that NOW, but she needs to clean it from when she didn't.

I have taken it out and soaked and scrubbed it, but that stuff is like concrete!!!

Have you soaked it in boiling water

I have soaked the drawer in kilrock limescale remover and used a knife to prize it off. Set like a bloody rock. It did come off though but still a bit grainy.

Get some citric acid in. I live in a hard water area and it has revolutionised my concept of clean.

In the dishwasher with the dishes - jobs a goodun !

If you put it in when you put the dishwasher on a cleaning cycle, it doesn't waste the water as you'd be doing it anyway and it gets the drawer clean.

Sorry that was for @TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination

Try running it under the shower it should foam up and eventually run off. Do it with cool water.

So many good suggestions!!
This morning I have used scalding water and scraped a good amount of it off with a knife.
I don't have a dishwasher, but I am going to get some citric acid.
Thank you everyone!

I only ever use liquid detergent in the drum, I don’t like powder or those capsules.