Help needed.... washer dryer emergency!

[crazy about cars]

Now before I start may I point out to you all that I am totally incompetant when it comes to plumbing and general household electrics.

Our washer dryer was getting a bit moldy so I put some (ok maybe too much) soda in it mixed with washing up liquid and then put it on a 90C wash cycle. Few minutes ago it tripped the fuse box. I kept tripping the fusebox so we decided to unplug it. Some foaming yellow liquid is coming out from the bottom bit but I think that has stopped. There's still tons of foam in the washer though.

I am thinking of going to Currys tomorrow and get them to deliver a new one asap and also go for the pick the old washer up service. Anyone know if they will sort this type of problem out? I would have tried to drain water myself but I would be going on business trip so it's mostly down to the missus ...

[oldcynic]

Sounds like you've got water in the electrics - you may be able to drain it, dry it out for a few days, and use it again. Or you may have killed it completely.

My washer has a filter / drum drain outlet behind a flap on the front (at the bottom, of course) - I'd start by trying to drain what's in the drum. Then you get mildly more technical by getting the top off and mopping out all the st you put in it (best unplug it first, or Darwin's law may come into play). Then you leave the top off until it's dry, and see if it works.

If you're ready to bin it anyway, you've got nothing to lose.

[Dogwatch]

Pity about the washing-up liquid. The soda (a mild alkali) would probably have made quite a decent fist of cleaning the machine on its own - without generating lots of foam.

If machine deigns to work again use the spin cycle to pump it out with the minimum of swishing about.

For future machines (or this one) wipe over rubber bits with a dry cloth and leave the door open until dry. Mould loves damp and poor air circulation.

[Mave]

oldcynic said:

Sounds like you've got water in the electrics - you may be able to drain it, dry it out for a few days, and use it again. Or you may have killed it completely.

My washer has a filter / drum drain outlet behind a flap on the front (at the bottom, of course) - I'd start by trying to drain what's in the drum. Then you get mildly more technical by getting the top off and mopping out all the st you put in it (best unplug it first, or Darwin's law may come into play). Then you leave the top off until it's dry, and see if it works.

If you're ready to bin it anyway, you've got nothing to lose.

Absolutely. I remember going surfing with my remote key fob in my swimming trunks pocket... Amazing what a blast under the hand drier can do for you

[Xerstead]

oldcynic said:

My washer has a filter / drum drain outlet behind a flap on the front (at the bottom, of course) - I'd start by trying to drain what's in the drum.

Ours has the same. My housemate ran some baking soda through on a hot wash to clean it and dislodged a load of limescale which, combined with fluff, blocked the filter.
Usually, it's just unscrew, pop it out to clean it and put it back again. Just be prepared for a lot of liquid to come out Have a baking tray or something to catch the water and be ready to replace the cap if too much water's coming out at once. A bucket and a few towels will be usefull.

[crazy about cars]

Phew, lucky the patio doors are close to the washer dryer. Managed to unplug the hoses without too much drama, push it out and tilt it to drain all the water.

I guess it's new washer time.

[davepoth]

Not necessarily. Drain out all of the water and leave it to dry out for a few days, it might be OK.

[WhoseGeneration]

OP, RTFM, all will be explained.
Applies to cars too.