How

Mine is still pretty clean. Perhaps different models have a different water flow over the powder so that it soes not all get washed into the drum. I also never comply by what the powder manufacturers suggest as to the amount of powder - find they can encourage you to use more than you really need.

I think the water swills in and out of it hence the tide mark.

I think that the powder/liquid feeds the bacteria and it grows a lovely black gunge just because it can!

Can you tell that I'm no scientist?

I only realised recently that most fabric conditioner is concentrated and needs watering down before use. Since I've done so the drawer doesn't get so dirty.

I thought concentrated fabric conditioner meant you just used less? shows how much I know.

I thought that too, tanith!

The man that came to mend my washer when it got clogged up said that you should dilute it 50/50 before you use it. I always used to buy the big bottle of conditioner but now buy the smaller one and decant it into the bigger one and top up. [smugemoticon - I could probably get £5 if I sent that tip to a magazine!!] He also said use only half of the amount it says on the bottle. My conditioner lasts ages

Also, I used one of those washer cleaners that were mentioned on another thread. I was really sceptical but it was magic! Thanks to whoever suggested it.

Wash powder is manufactured from crude oil is it not?
Hence the black.

I don't use fabric conditioner. It's a soft water area but even so the supermarkets are full of different conditioners.

Thanks for that tip, kittylester! (and crimson).

I buy Lidl liquid wash and it smells lovely, and I only use half the amount recommended.Never use conditioner now.

I use liquid wash rather than powder, and always the minimum amount. Cleaned the drawer once when the machine was about five years old. We do have very soft water, which might make a difference.

I never use fabric conditioner either. Like Ella I use Lidl's liquid wash or Aldi's. Does a really good job and smells nice and fresh!

Snap! Lidl's liquid detergent for me too.

But does it leave things like jumpers and towels soft? I only use conditioner for those - otherwise they seem to feel rough.

Shouldn't use conditioner on towels; think it stops them being absorbent [may be wrong]. I always tumble dry them for a bit to fluff them up.

I have stopped using fabric conditioner and the family have never mentioned any difference.

I got static when I didn't use conditioner so I changed to Bold which includes it. I use the liquid which goes into the drum but the drawer still gets a bit mouldy because the water is circulated through. I am in a hard water area so do use Calgon tablets. I sometimes wonder if the adverts are a big con, as you can't see whether they work or not.

I dont use fabric conditioner and I use a soap based washing machine detergent and I still get a black gunge in the detergent drawer, to add insult to injury, the detergent drawer cannot be removed to make cleaning easier or some of the gunge accessible.

My solution is to pour a cup of bleach into it and leave for 24 hours and then run a rinse and spin programme to get it out of the machine. I also do the same with a cup of vinegar to remove the lime scale.

We have hard water and I now only use powder and not liquid. The black gunge has gone.

I saw somewhere on a forum a post written by a washing machine engineer that you should do a very hot wash at least once a week and these low temperature washes are in fact bad for the machine. I now use liquid detergent as I found that much of the powder did not get dissolved and I also use a very hot wash for my towels, tea towels and sheets etc. this regime has helped to keep down the gunge. The drawer itself is not such a problem as I think you can put that in the dishwasher but the ' hole' it goes in is an awful thing to clean even with an old toothbrush which I have been known to use.
For many years I had a Hotpoint top loading machine and there was never a problem there as the water washes over and through the tray the powder goes in. I often dream about that marvellous machine - don't think they make them now as they don't fit under a Worksop.
I am sure that between us we could come up with a much better design for this part of the machine if we put our minds to it - after all it is probably men who design the machines but women who have to clean them!!

The manufacturer's handbook that came with my now elderly washing machine recommends washing and drying the detergent drawer after each batch of laundry. I find that I get smeary marks on the rubber door seal rather than muck in the drawer. Therefore, I also use a commercial cleaner inside the machine every six weeks or so on the basis that I have absolutely no idea what is happening to the bits of the machine hidden by the carcass but they are probably rather less than lovely.