Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

I have started getting large black flakes in the washing machine drum, similar to the picture below, the picture isn't from my machine.

What i have tried to do in this order to stop it happening.

1. Ran 2x washes at 90c with washing detergent, no clothes in.
2. Took all the waste pipes off and cleaned them.
3. Ran with Dr. Beckmanns Service-it washing machine cleaner.
4. Cleaned around the rubber seal really well and running step 3 again.

My guess is these really thin flakes are coming from the back of the drum its not sludge or rubber, so i think it is possibly black limescale as i am in a hard water area, the flakes are bigger than the holes in the drum so not sure how they get there, unless its coming past the rubber seal.

I am not comfortable taking the machine apart to investigate so if step 4 doesn't fix it what else can i do/buy to get it sorted?

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Are the flakes soft or crumbly?

The second could be corrosion on the inside of the drum outer.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

If i say the largest black super smooth flake can be about the size of a 10 pence piece, if i pick it up it will break but it isn't crumbly so i am going to go with soft.

Will have another look in 30mins after it stops, i did check around the drum rubber seal edges and didn't see any flakes so i am at a loss.

Maybe i should run some heavy duty limescale remover through it as this has never been done, recommendations?

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Limescale would be white. Not much help. Sorry.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Thanks for trying, i was thinking the limescale could be stained with mould.

I'll just keep running empty washes with cleaner in there and if it doesn't improve i will have to replace the thing which is a shame.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Run with some bleach in if it's do or die?

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Can i use Harpic power plus x10? and then a normal wash to rinse it all off?

This is what i got in the drum after the latest cleaning cycle, it not limescale its like skin after sunburn it is soft and stretchy and tares.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Looks like some sort of mould. Washing machines are rated to use bleach so I'd try that first.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Will put it on now, just need to find out how much bleach to use, ive only ever put this stuff down the bog before!

---------- Post added at 18:31 ---------- Previous post was at 18:27 ----------

Recommendations for which wash cycle with only bleach?

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Paint flaking off?

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Half a cup of bleach at @90C check afterwards.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

I would guess it's coming from the soap dispenser, you should be able to remove the soap drawer (Check instruction book if you don't know how). Give it a good clean with hot soapy water, also check the inside of the dispenser you took the soap drawer out of, and see if there is any build up of gunk and slime give it a good clean, old toothbrush is good for this then put it on a hot wash. Hopefully this will flush out any bits that are left.

It's worth leaving the soap drawer slightly open when not in use as this gives it a chance to dry out between washes.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

I've cleaned the dispenser before i started a Dr. service it clean and pipes.

Will try half a cup of Harpic bog bleach straight into the dispenser tray, on 90c again and report back.

---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------

Nope, i think it is mould now.

---------- Post added at 19:15 ---------- Previous post was at 18:39 ----------

Its running now and i can see lots of black bits in through the door so i don't think it will look clean after this, may take several attempts to break it all down.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

After running it with half a cup of Harpic the outcome hasn't changed and I saw the same amount of soft flakes, I then ran it again with normal detergent and no washing and still saw some flakes but not as many.

So I have run it 4 times today and cleaned everything I can see, so I think I am stuck with for now, I will check the filter in the morning and see how that looks.

Re: Black Flakes in Washing Machine drum.
 

Wonder if it could be some sort of bacteria growing in the damp conditions between washes? Bleech will kill it eventually I guess :shrug: