Your washing powder is likely going hard in the drawer because it's absorbing moisture.
One significant reason your washing powder can harden or clog up in the dispenser drawer is due to residual water from previous wash cycles.
How Moisture Causes Washing Powder to Harden
Washing powder is designed to dissolve in water, but if it gets damp before the wash cycle starts, the particles can start to clump together. When this happens repeatedly, or the damp clumps dry out, the powder turns into hard lumps.
As highlighted in information about washing machine maintenance, if you're doing several washing loads one after another and if the draw is still wet from the previous cycle and you're putting powder into it, again the powder is going to get damp and clog up in the drawer.
The Cycle of Hardening
- Residual Water: After a wash cycle, water often remains in the detergent drawer compartment.
- Adding Powder: You add new, dry washing powder into this damp or wet compartment.
- Moisture Absorption: The dry powder quickly absorbs the available moisture.
- Clumping: The damp powder particles stick together, forming clumps.
- Hardening: If these clumps aren't dissolved in the next wash or are exposed to air, they can dry into hard masses.
Preventing Hard Washing Powder
To prevent your washing powder from going hard due to moisture in the drawer, consider these steps based on the identified cause:
- Dry the Drawer: Before adding new powder, especially between consecutive washes, wipe the detergent dispenser drawer dry with a cloth or paper towel.
- Allow Ventilation: Leave the dispenser drawer slightly open after a wash cycle to allow it to air dry.
- Clean Regularly: A build-up of old, damp residue can also contribute to new powder getting stuck. Regularly remove and clean the drawer according to your machine's instructions.
By ensuring the detergent compartment is dry before adding powder, you can significantly reduce the chances of it hardening and causing issues in your machine.
