Black sludge in washing machine help

I remember replacing the seal on a washing machine some years ago I don't know how much they are these days but might be worth a look.

 

I disagree with that @pete. The instructions for my new oven are impossible to understand and I'm not an idiot as far as I know. The digital functions of it are impossible to understand too. Three weeks on and I still haven't got it sussed.

 

The worst instructions, I find are the ones for putting together self assembly furniture, they make what is blaringly obvious sound so difficult.

But yes I agree, techy stuff is difficult, some clocks in my house never get changed its just too much hassle.

 

So its cost about 35 quid up till now then.

 

I assume you're leaving the door ajar when not in use John? I've never had mould in a washing machine but I remember years back my sister-in-law's machine having it, but she always shut the door. It stopped when I told her to leave it open. I had my last machine seventeen years but it stayed clean.

 

One more thing that can cause markings on the laundry is overloading. If the cycle is too gentle for the load, the garments don't move enough but just scrub back and forth with the heavy, wet load pressing them against the rubber seal or the drum.

Rubbing against the rubber seal can cause dark streaks even if the seal is pristine clean, and rubbing against the drum can sand off the top layer of the fabric. Light streaks on jeans are often because of this (I have a favourite pair with spectacularly fashionable streaking on one leg )

The catch is that different programmes allow different weight loads. A cotton programme will whack the load around well and allows maximum kg load, while a very similar programme for synthetics moves very differently and usually allows only about half of the weight.

I'm afraid the user manual is needed

Perfecting the laundry is useful, clothes last longer which saves cash and the environment, and the amount of detergent and heating of the water are also quite significant potential sources of wastage. (Stepping down from my soap powder box now )

Regarding the tissue in the pocket- syndrome: we have overcome it by declaring it a "Family Tradition". Feels much nicer to laugh over it when we gather in front of the fireplace with our baskets of dark laundry and lint rollers

 

@JWK , I don’t use them every wash ( as is advised) but I did used to get odd black marks in years gone by on some washing loads. Since using the Calgon tablets we don’t have any problems like that. It not only keeps the powder drawer clean but the whole innards of the appliance. Glad youve got things cleaned up now though.

 

Another thing that clogs machines [in general] is fabric conditioner. I don't use it and haven't done so for many years. We have good water here, so things don't tend to get clogged anyway though. I don't use the drawer for the soap powder - I use a small container in with the washing itself, so every now and again I take the drawer out to clean it as it can get a bit manky.

I find that if I put a little bit of that 'Pink Stuff' in the holes in the door seal, that clears any muck that can accumulate.
I'm the guilty party when it comes to hankies up sleeves or in pockets...

 

We had hard water in our last house so I used a Calgon tablet or equivalent with every wash. In this house we have almost neutral water so I use a Calgon about once a month to clean things up and I've switched to using vinegar instead of fabric conditioner.

We have to keep the door closed between washes but haven't ever had mould except in the drawer when I used FC. I check the filter every now and again.

This new machine is really good at low temps but I still have some training to do with Possum and tissues in pockets or sleeves. OH learned a while ago not to leave small coins in his pockets but only after about the third call out to an engineer to unblock the tubes.........