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Original poster

How do I get the softner to work in my washing machine??

21 replies

BosworthBear · 19/01/2006 06:37

a mundane question I know but DD is compaining of itchy clothes. When I put the fabric conditioner (comfort something or other) in to the machine a Bosch xcel it isn't being dispersed into the cycle when required and never gets used. I have tried cleaning the bit generally where the water goes into the powder drawer and also thinning the conditioner but with no sucess. Has anyone else had this problem or know what to do?? If not I am going to have to resort to getting an engineer out!
Thanks.

OP posts:
Hausfrau · 19/01/2006 07:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NannyL · 19/01/2006 08:51

we have this problem with our boss.... we have taken the drawer out etc and cant figuer out why.

anyway we now use those comfort pearl capsules that you put IN the machine and they seem to work for us!

saltire · 19/01/2006 09:29

I was going to post the exact same question, my machine isn't letting fabric softener into the wash either, and there is a horrible smell from the machine if it's left empty ( the smell isn't on the clothes). I have had to start using Bold.

Enid · 19/01/2006 09:31

I used to have a smelly machine - stopped using liquid detergent and run a strong powder bio wash every now and again - hasn't smelled since. According to Bosch, liquid detergents dont have soemthing in (brighteners??) that powder does - this makes the machine smelly.

SleepyJess · 19/01/2006 09:33

Ah! This is a Bosche problem then!! They ought get it sorted hadn't they.. seeing as it's so common with their machines!

Enid · 19/01/2006 09:34

no fabric cond probs here though

Hausfrau · 19/01/2006 10:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lacrimosa · 19/01/2006 10:07

Do you know brighteners instantly bond with skin?

Original poster
BosworthBear · 19/01/2006 10:35

Okay I got all excited, ran down stairs to look for these mystery pipes, took out the drawer felt around but to no avail. However I did find 2 vertical pipes at the back which are fixed and must be some sort of inlet - have tried to clean them and am now trying the machine to see if this helps. I now have a full wash of towels to practice with since i also decided to clean the filter (which was okay!) but I failed to screw it in tightly so when I put the machine on it has flooded the utility room!!!
ho hum!

OP posts:
saltire · 19/01/2006 11:38

mine isn't a bosch though, its an indesit

Hausfrau · 19/01/2006 11:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

saltire · 19/01/2006 11:48

i haven't checked for these pipes yet though, will do it soon, also my machine doesn't have a filter, which i find odd, unless its there and i just can't find it

ionaming · 19/01/2006 19:45

BB, I've got a new Bosch xxcel & found that the softener wasn't all being used - some left over after each wash & going all yukky. Read the manual (oh yes ) and it said to not use "concentrated" fabric condition i.e those small bottles. Or if you do, to dilute it with water before you put it in the machine! So now I just chuck in my usual capful of concentrated fabric con (undiluted....tut tut!), but then chuck in another capful or 2 of warm water..... and this has done the trick each time for me. HTH, Iona

ionaming · 20/01/2006 01:53

sorry, it's not an xxcel at all, it's a classixx... might still help though

Original poster
BosworthBear · 20/01/2006 11:50

Thanks, I have tried thinning the conditioner per the manual but to no avail. I'm now trying to get a repair man to have a look so I will post the result soon!!

OP posts:
sansouci · 20/01/2006 11:52

I had a Bosch & it smelled. i've got a basic Meile now & love it.

sansouci · 20/01/2006 11:57

That's not much help, though, is it?

Original poster
BosworthBear · 21/01/2006 08:02

Repair man came and looked and said it's a very typical problem with Bosch machines, particularly if they are in a warm enviroment (small utility with boiler - great for drying and now for growing mould!!)
Apparently it is due to the material the machine is made of and the condition of the local water. Whilst the bits I can see in the draw are spotless (and I mean gleaming!!)the mould will have got into the pipes which can't be accessed easily on my model - the lid had to come of but unfortunately he didn't have my part with him so will be back next week - then I get to see how dirty the pipes are!

As aside he also said that it was common to get a similar mould on the rubber seal around the door particularly where it "creases" if not cleaned this will lead to smelly clothes.

The only way to help reduce the likelihood of mould is to dry the door seal and drawer and leave both open to increaes the airflow. He said that he realised that this can be impractical but given that it is a chemical reaction between the household water and the plastic - enhanced by a warme atmosphere there is little else you can do!

OP posts:
Hausfrau · 21/01/2006 14:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

foxinsocks · 21/01/2006 14:13

saltire, we had a problem with a dreadfully smelly washing machine. A few people on Mumsnet seemed to have this problem and as enid said, apparently it is a lot to do with the washing liquid and the fact that we are run our washes on 40C now. The gunge from the liquid and the fact the water isn't hot enough to clear out all the muck is what makes the smell.

I have swapped to powder and every now and then, run a 90C white wash. This has completely stopped the smells.

foxinsocks · 21/01/2006 14:14

sorry, should say 'we all run our washes'

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