What To Do If Your Washing Machine Is Taking Fabric Softener Too Early

In this article, we’re going to talk through a common issue of fabric softener in a washing machine being taken prematurely, likely at the beginning of the cycle. This often occurs from user error due to a misunderstanding of how the fabric softener tray works. You can check this before hiring a washing machine repair company.

The fabric softener tray works by creating a vacuum inside the tray.

For this vacuum to work, the amount of fabric softener entered needs to be below the maximum fill level. If below the maximum level, a vacuum is created as the water starts to fill the tray and the fabric softener is then drawn out. Please refer to the previous video on fabric softener dispensing issues in the Help section of the website for a further explanation of how the fabric softener tray works.

As fabric softener gives clothes a perfumed scent, many customers feel that the more fabric softener they put in, the better their clothes will smell. However, exceeding the maximum fill level of fabric softener will create a vacuum prematurely and this means the fabric softener will be drawn out before it is needed.

Another possible cause of the fabric softener being taken prematurely is the dispenser jets being partially or fully blocked.

Blocked jets cause the water to be dispensed at an angle instead of vertically straight down into each compartment, meaning that the tray prematurely starts to fill up at the beginning of the cycle.

If the fabric softener is not exceeding the maximum level and the jets don’t appear blocked but the fabric softener is still being taken too early, there could be an issue with the appliance itself.

If this is the case and you still need assistance then you can book an engineer visit quickly and easily by following the Book A Repair button on our website.

Thank you.