“softener leads to machine failure“ Is this true or is it hogwash?

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my take on the softener situation

It all comes down to how you use it, as well as the design and styles of the softener dispensing process. Some softener dispensers spin out the softener during spin, while others flush them out while filling. My mom has her LG and in all her years of using softener, nary an issue out of it has come up. Softener being flushed out is better because you essentially clean it out. Believe me.
 
 
Jerome, the problem is softener gunk accumulating on the interior of the outer tub, on the exterior of the spin basket, and under the agitator.  The method of dispensing has no relation to those areas.  My AquaSmarts flush and drain the softener dispenser five times and residue still accumulates in the dispenser and thus the dispenser needs cleaning on a recurring basis according to the usage pattern.  Neptune TL flushes the softener dispenser continuously while the final rinse level increases from the low normal level to the higher bulky level (the final rinse always fills to bulky level).  Its dispenser also accumulates residue and must be occasionally cleaned.  So, if residue accumulates in the dispensers on those machines even with the amount of flushing they do, then it certainly can accumulate in the other hidden areas.
 
Not sure how much sense it makes to compare accumulation in the softener compartment where it sits for a long time undiluted with other machine parts where is diluted and then at least in theory should be washed away again with detergent in the next wash cycle.

Never had a problem with FS build up in a washer so far but I always use plenty of detergent and I frequently run very hot washes. Suppose this helps a lot.
 
Reply #41

The only one who can really comment on this is John Lefever since he’s been working on and servicing machines for the past 50 years or so. He’s seen it all from bad laundry practices to good laundry practices along with people who were meticulous with taking care of their machines inside and out.
 
proper use

I completely agree that proper use should always be practiced. Maybe that's probably why they have "smart" dispensers for laundry detergent and fabric softener to prevent over or under use. But again, there's something that can always go wrong. It would be nice if the bulk dispensers had water flowing through them to turn the above products into a solution that does an effective job.
 
The machine in the second video looks to me like somebody tipped it over to work on it, having forgot the draw was still full of fabric conditioner and liquid detergent.

Also from all that mould and bacterial sludge, I think they probably leave the door and draw closed between washes, so the insides stay nice and humid for mould and bacteria to grow, and probably use a liquid washing detergent, and quite likely not hot enough water.
 
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