Cleaning Tips

[ddbeltdrive]

How do i get rid of this nasty fabric softener gunk that is accumulating on the agitator and forming a nasty ring around the tub. Its my 2000 model year Kenmore 70 3 speed. Im also starting to notice a little bit on my new Whirlpool belt drive on the agitator.

 

[gizmo]

Wash in warm or hot water.

 

Cold water washing is the work of the devil.

 

If that doesn't do it, try a bit more detergent and a bit less softener.

 

[yogitunes]

you really are gonna want to start with a clean machine, AND keep it that way....

which means, if this is what your seeing on the agitator, think about whats underneath, and worse, under the splash shield, and the outter tub, the scum will be thick....we have seen it all too many times.....get prepared, it will gross you out....

your gonna want to open that machine up, and start taking things apart, filling with HOT water, and start scrubbing...you may have to do this several times until it all gets rinsed away....

this always puzzles me as to how machines get this way, mine never look like that EVER!....nor the fact that your trying to clean clothes in a less than clean machine....and you think the clothes your pulling out are actually CLEAN....

the machine doesn't get that way on its own, and its not the fault of the machine for it to happen....

in any case.....things that you are gonna need, several brushes, including a toothbrush, a plastic scraper, cleaner like 409, PurpleCleaner, bathroom cleaner with BLEACH, and possible rubber gloves....

not judging, just saying

afterwards and prevention.....80% of the wash load should be washed in warm/hot water from now on, COLD water washes kept to a minimum, at least one load a week with BLEACH, and rinse the dispenser out with hot water after daily use....

your machine will last a lot longer this way......sure you can save by washing in COLD water, and keep those savings in a jar to buy new machines, often!

 

[ddbeltdrive]

I always wash in hot or warm, and dissolve fabric softener with hot water. I think my issue is using too much Downy. Because of this i cut my downy usage to a third of a capful and I always make sure its watered down. Thanks for the advice, i plan on tearing the machine down and following your advice
Chris

 

[ddbeltdrive]

If i took the agitator out of the machine and took it apart and washed the parts in the dishwasher(Kenmore Ultra Wash) with a Cascade complete tab what does everyone think the results could be? Any thoughts?
Chris

 

[DADoES]

 
Possibly a dishwasher clogged with waxy softener residue ...

 

[yogitunes]

not a bad idea...sometimes....what can happen is all the residue will now be spread thru out your dishwasher....and turn everything slimy, as well as transfer it to your dishes....not to mention if it soap scum, it may also over suds...

we only do this if we have a spare dishwasher used for this purpose out in the garage...

your best bet, start in the tub with the handheld shower, and hot water....then some scrubbing.......a powerwasher works great for this stuff as well...

with that dispenser, I have boiled water and poured it in, and then shook the heck out of it, to get that stuff to disolve.....the worst part is it doesn't come apart...keep that locking ring pushed down so the holes are open....

sorry, theres not a real easy way of doing this......we all have had machines come to us like this.....you may want to do before and after pics, amazing how white and shiny everything will be when your done...

what exactly are you washing to get that ring on everything?.....my brother used to get that from washing his greasy workclothes....I just had to get him to change to using a pretreater, and a heavy duty detergent.....hot water and a double rinse took care of everything from then on.....

 

[ddbeltdrive]

I use the Kenmore 70 to wash work clothes, the new belt drive washes everything else
Im working on cleaning the agi for the new belt drive right now. Im not going to run my parts through the dishwasher. I understand about using a dishwasher as a parts washer lol. I just didnt think about the residue being left on my dishes and inside the dishwasher. Not such a good idea in the first place

I work at an auto service center and my uniforms get really greasy. I know the new belt drive can handle them but I love that washer to pieces and i wont subject her to that lol. I also work on vehicles in my spare time and im never NOT covered in grease lol.

I got the Kenmore 70 at the Restore up the street from my house for 50 bucks. It has a new pump, coupler and a clutch. I just never took the time to clean it. I would like to clean her up and give the cabinet a paint job. Shes a good workhorse when you want a load finished within half an hr or less.

The new Belt drive is still pretty clean, I wipe the tub out everytime i use it. It had a little bit of scum inside the dispenser and the inside of the agitator had some accumulation but its not disgusting. Im in the process of taking it apart now and i will have before and after pics!

 

[yogitunes]

I have three brothers.....all mechanics.....so it gives me a great chance to try out effectiveness of detergents and machines, a test load if you will....after a while, you get it down to a science....and clean results everytime, for the clothes, and machines....

I can offer some tips later on if that helps.....

also, when you reassemble the agitator, you will want to put a light coating of vaseline on a few places so the dogs and spiral will glide smoothly...

 

[combo52]

Washing Oily Dirty Work Clothing

I thought I recognized that stained agitator, we wash a lot of very dirty rags and clothing from my partners auto shop, I didn't think your build up is all fabric softener.

When washing loads that contain dirty oily clothing, rags etc, we always use HOT water and plenty of GOOD detergent, I also usually add 1/2 to 1 cup of ammonia to the wash water, the other thing I would suggest is SKIPPING FS in loads of dirty work clothing as the residual oil that is very hard to completely remove acts as a type of softener anyway.

 

[ddbeltdrive]

I use Gain Regular Scent, Regular formula. Once in a while i won't pay attention and buy the HE formula. I cant tell the difference. Im going stop with fabric softner on my greasy work clothes. My Service advisor uniforms I wash in the new Belt drive with a 1/3 of a cap diluted with hot water. The dispenser is not very dirty just needs a good soaking in a sink of hot water. The auger and base I will soak in the tub in the hottest tap water and scrub away. I havent gotten to it yet. I had to pull out my Rug Doctor and scrub my living room carpets. Ill work on the new belt drive tomorrow when i get home from work. I have alot of casual clothes that need to be washed, and that needs to be done. There is no sign of a ring in the tub of the Belt drive, its only starting on the agitator. I have Model number wtw4800xq. Love this washer. It fills, to the top, great rinsing, love the fast spin..only draw back is the slow filling and the longer cycle time. I love the gentle but effective turnover!

 

[murando531]

That's my washer! And I love it to death. I love that it fills completely for both wash AND rinse as long as you have Fabric Softener Option turned on. I've found that foaming bathroom/shower cleaner works wonders for the ring that accumulates around the agitator and tub, for any washer, because the foam sticks and dissolves/softens the junk. The Scrubbing Bubbles brand seems to work the best. I do that every 5-6 months, along with a full cycle with hot water and vinegar and mine is as pearly white as the day I bought it. Just make sure to rinse the foam cleaner out well before adding any other chemicals like bleach, etc. I don't know what can mix and what can't with bathroom cleaners, but it's always better to keep on the safe side.

 

[washer111]

From our previous washer, an (Australian) Simpson, I recall the manual stating that to remove buildup, then one must use a hot fill and add a large amount of Epsom Salts and soak for several hours, or perhaps overnight.

Since I never tested this, I cannot vouch for its effectiveness. But its still worth a shot.

 

Otherwise, some good detergent, overdosed and a HOT fill left to soak with some towels should do the trick. Spin the towels out after to help loosen the crud.

 

It may be best to simply remove the agitator/inner tub of the washer.

 

[ddbeltdrive]

Cleaned the Kenmore 70

Kenmore 70 all cleaned up I took the agitator out with no problem. I took everything apart and soaked it in the sink in some very hot tap water and some laundry detergent. I scrubbed everything on the agitator with a green scrubby pad and it came out beautifully. After I re-installed the agitator, I filled the tub as high as it can go with steamy hot water a cup of laundry detergent and let the hot soapy water get to the scum ring around the tub. I advanced the timer to the neutral drain portion after an hour of soak time and drained out half a tub of water. I then scrubbed the hell out of the tub until all the gunk had disappeared into the water. I then set the machine into spin and emptied the washer. After emptying the washer i ran it through a full 15 min super wash cycle at its highest level. Afterwards i had a sparkling tub

As far as the new belt drive i did not take the agi out yet. I tried to break the retaining bolt loose for the agitator, however I cant get the tub to stay still, nor the agitator. Its still under warranty and i don't want to break anything. I may wait to take that one apart and just make sure i clean everything out once in a while in the meantime to prevent build up lol.

 

[yogitunes]

I really like that you have done this much so far....looks fantastic......

whats hidden may scare you.....not that you have to, but I would remove the body, pop off the splash shield, and even the balance ring, you will be shocked at what you find....

I would be curious as to what you find.....very rare that it will be spotless...sorry, but that's what we encounter with these machines...