LG Washing Machine Dispenser Drawer Repair

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Introduction

Use this guide to remove and clean the dispenser drawer on a general LG washing machine. The dispenser drawer, detergent drawer, soap drawer, or detergent dispenser holds laundry detergent and fabric softener before they rinse into the drum. Over time, detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, mold, and blocked dispenser jets can cause grime to wash into clothes or stop fabric softener from emptying properly. This guide is written for general LG washing machine models; drawer layouts and release tabs may vary slightly.

What you need

Step 1 Prepare the washer

Unplug the washing machine before using wet cleaning tools near the dispenser area.
Use a brush that is only for cleaning, not dental care.
Have hot, soapy water and a cloth ready for wiping residue and mold.
Wear rubber gloves if detergent residue, mold, or hot water may irritate skin.

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Step 2 Locate the dispenser drawer

Stand in front of the washer and find the detergent dispenser drawer in the top-left corner.
Pull the drawer straight out gently until it reaches the stop.
Don't force the drawer past the stop, or the locking clip may be damaged.

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Step 3 Unlock and remove the drawer

Look at the back of the open drawer for the release button or clip.
Press down the blue release button to unlock the drawer.
Keep the button pressed and pull the drawer straight out of the washer.
On some LG models, the release may look different, but it is usually at the back of the drawer.

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Step 4 Remove the fabric softener indicator

If the drawer has a fabric softener level indicator, lift it up to remove it.
Removing the indicator gives better access to the fabric softener compartment for cleaning.
Keep the indicator somewhere safe so it can be refitted after cleaning.

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Step 5 Clean the dispenser drawer

Use a brush with hot, soapy water to scrub mold, detergent residue, and residue from the inside of the drawer.
Wipe the outside of the dispenser tray with the soapy cloth.
Clean until the drawer compartments are free of visible buildup.
Refit the fabric softener indicator if you removed it.

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Step 6 Clean the drawer cavity

Inspect the dispenser drawer cavity before reinstalling the drawer.
Use the soapy cloth to wipe inside the cavity and across the jets at the top.
Use the brush to scrub heavy residue or blocked jets.
Don't spray water into the cavity or control panel; use a damp cloth instead.
Work slowly inside the cavity, because the tight edges can scrape your knuckles.
Blocked top jets can stop the fabric softener from dispensing properly.

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Step 7 Reinsert the dispenser drawer

Align the drawer with the dispenser cavity.
Slide the drawer straight into the washer until it is fully seated.

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Step 8 Check the drum rubber

Open the washer door and inspect the rubber seal around the inside of the drum.
Use the damp, soapy cloth to clean the rubber folds.
Clear debris from any drainage holes so water can drain properly.
Use the brush to scrub the rubber if it is very grubby.

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Step 9 Run a hot maintenance cycle

Close the washer door and dispenser drawer.
Select the 90 °C washing program or the Drum Clean option if the washer has one.
Use the hottest available setting if the washer doesn't have a 90 °C program or Drum Clean option.
Run the cycle with no clothes to flush residue from the system.

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Conclusion

Repeat this cleaning whenever the dispenser drawer or drum rubber shows residue, mold, or fabric softener buildup. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

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