Water pouring out of your washing machine's detergent tray? Don't panic — here’s how I fixed mine

There's no doubt that water pouring from your washing machine's detergent tray can be worrying. It can quickly flood your floor and put your washing machine out of action, leaving you without your much-needed laundry facilities.

But what causes it and is it always easy to fix? I was really hoping my problem would be straightforward, and simply be a case of cleaning the right parts. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite that simple, but it still was a job I could fix myself.

So, before you start looking at how long washing machines last and invest in a new one, or pay for expensive plumber call-out charges, follow the steps I took to resolve my leak and get my machine working like new.

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Reasons why your washing machine detergent tray is leaking

The first thing you need to do is find out why water is leaking from the detergent tray. As you might expect, there can be a number of reasons, so it is often a process of elimination. I typically start with the simple, less time-consuming option if I’m unsure.

1. Blocked detergent drawer or housing

Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, reveals one of the most common causes: “A blocked detergent drawer or housing is a common cause of overflow, typically due to a build-up of detergent, fabric softener, or mould restricting water flow.”

I took my detergent tray out (a simple job we can all do) to see if it made any difference – but it didn't.

Water was still pouring out, but now I could see more of what was happening with the detergent tray removed.

My top tip at this stage? Make sure you have someone with you who can switch off the washing machine at the power point to immediately stop the water flow. Also, keep a bath towel nearby to stop any stray water from dripping onto the floor.

2. Blocked dispenser hose

Now I could see what was actually happening inside, I could see water flowing from the top of the tray, as it should. However, after a few seconds, the drain to the drum filled, and water once again flowed from the tray area onto the floor. Once again, make sure you have someone next to the power point for a quick switch off.

The fact the leak continued suggested the problem with my machine was down to a blockage somewhere else (and which I subsequently discovered to be in the dispenser hose).

Ian Palmer-Smith confirms this is another common problem. “A blocked or partially blocked dispenser hose can prevent water from draining properly into the drum, causing it to back-up and spill.”

3. Less common problems

There are also a few other issues that can cause water to spill out from the detergent tray, says Ian Palmer-Smith.

“Overuse of detergent or the use of an incorrect type, such as non-HE detergent (a non high energy product is more suited for older top-loading machines), in modern machines can also contribute to the issue by creating excessive suds, leading to foam overflow from the tray.”

“Other contributing factors include low water pressure or uneven water flow, which can prevent the drawer from flushing cleanly and cause water to spill forward," he adds, "as well as clogged spray jets that misdirect water towards the front of the dispenser.”

Ian Palmer-Smith

Ian Palmer-Smith is a Service Delivery Director at Domestic & General, and a domestic appliance service and repair expert with over 39 years of professional service. Ian is our go-to expert when it comes to plumbing, boilers and carbon monoxide safety.

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Cleaning the dispenser tray

If you have identified the leak is down to a dirty dispenser tray, cleaning it is an easy job and starts with you removing the detergent drawer and drawer compartment. Take a look at your instruction manual if it doesn't come out easily as there may be a certain method to follow for your particular machine.

Michael Forbes, lead product trainer at AEG, shares what to do next. “Warm water and a soft brush are usually enough to clear away detergent build-up.” To help keep it free from limescale, he also suggests you, "regularly run a maintenance wash using a dedicated washing machine cleaner, particularly in hard water areas.”

Keen to prevent the problem reoccurring? “Using the correct amount of detergent for the size of the load and your local water hardness is an important part of keeping your washing machine running efficiently,” advises Michael.

Even if the problem lies elsewhere, it's worth doing this job as well as any others you need to do to stop the leak.

Michael Forbes

Michael Forbes has extensive expertise in appliance technology and innovation, with a deep understanding of all kitchen and laundry appliances.

Removing and cleaning a blocked dispenser hose

Before I started removing parts, I thought I'd try pouring hot water down the dispenser hose, combined with pushing a flexible pipe cleaner along the inside. This may work for you, but didn't for me as the blockage turned out to be caused by bits of foam lodged inside, so I had no choice but to access the innards of the washing machine.

Here's the steps I took to remove, clean and re-attach the hose.

1. Unplug from power and move

The first step was to switch off and unplug the washing machine before I did anything else. Safety first. Most washing machines also don’t sit out in the open, so, like me, you’ll need to drag it out to access the top cover. Instead of stretching the drain hose and risking damage, I simply put the end of mine into a bucket so the water didn't go on the floor.

2. Remove the top

The top or lid of a washing machine is typically held in place by a couple of Philips screws at the back of the machine. Undo these with an appropriate screwdriver and place them in a container. Slide off the top to see inside the machine.

3. Access the dispenser hose

To access the dispenser hose, you’ll need to undo the screws that hold the detergent tray in place (again, place the screws in the container you have to hand for this reason).

Now manoeuvre the tray to access the dispenser hose. You might also need to remove the water pipes on the back of the tray. I didn’t have to do this, but if you do, the holding clips are typically removed by pushing them together by hand.

4. Remove the dispenser hose

My dispenser hose is attached to the underside of the detergent tray so I unclipped it, pulled off the hose and moved the tray out of the way. You'll then need to remove the bottom of the dispenser hose. I needed a small spanner to loosen the clip holding it in place. Put the clip with the screws you've put to one side so you don't lose it.

Another quick tip is that if a clip is difficult to squeeze together, use a pair of pliers to make the job easier.

5. Clean hose and replace

Next, take the hose and remove any debris by hand. Mine was full of bits from foam padding that had broken up in the wash. However, generally, the blockage will be from a buildup of detergent. If this is the case, squeeze the hose to break up the detergent, then rinse through with warm water until it runs clear.

Now comes the fun part. Replace the dispenser hose and make sure any clips are in place. One option I often do is to take pictures of the removal and unclipping process to help your remember how the parts were fitted.

Also remember that he dispenser hose needs to be secure when you re-attach it otherwise, you'll be coming back to do the job again. Make sure you attach any pipes to the back of the detergent tray and put the tray back in place. Finally, secure the detergent tray and lid with the screws you put to one side.

Before you start the machine, make sure to check and clean the washing machine filter, as this could well have debris inside as well – mine did.

Where do you keep your washing machine? Could it be time to move it? Check out our utility rooms guide and small utility room ideas to make the most of your space. Or, how about an upstairs laundry room? It's becoming more popular with home renovators and it's easy to understand why once you look into it.