"Joan" wrote in message
om...
Hi Everyone

I hope you can help me. I have a Zanussi washing machine, about 3/4
years old.
When you take the soap dispenser drawer out, at the look up (into the
machine) the water inlet holes are covered in a black rubbery like
substance. This also extends to the back and works its way into the
drawer, which needs constant cleaning. Sometimes the machine is unable
to take in the softner (I think the holes above it may block from time
to time). I only use the minimum of soap powder.
Any ideas as to what this black substance is, and more importantly how
do I get rid of it?
Joan

In our old machine we used to get powder deposits combing with the hard
water causing blockages. These took the form of a googy sludge in various
colours which would eventually block the powder drawer, pipework and the
level/pressure thingy and cause the machine to overfill. Do these deposits
go mouldy, or turn black in the damp environment?

When we switched to tablets which go into the drum in a net bag the problem
diminished.

We've since moved house, and bought a new washing machine which is fed
through a water softener. The new machine shows no signs of deposits
anywhere.