So this is what can happen with consistant use of FS? Dadoes, if hot washes were used daily would it prevent this? Or just lower the risk factor?

I haven't used any fabric softener since I got my FL because of all the horror stories I kept reading when researching. I use sanitize at least a couple of times a week and the clean cycle about once a month. I truly hope this makes a difference with the longevity I hope to get out of it.

We use fabric softener and I'm curious as to how they overdosed it. With our Kenmore the resivour is only so big and unless you dump it in all 4 compartments there is only so much you can get in there.

My guess would be it's more the cold washes, excessive liquid detergent and possibly keeping the door closed that corroded it rather than FS.

I was curious about the dispenser capacity so checked it. The designated Full level is 3 tablespoons but the compartment will hold 11 tablespoons to the top of the siphon tube which is under a cover. Dosage lines on laundry product caps are notoriously difficult to see. I checked the cap on the variety of Snuggle that I use. The instructions state to use Line 1 for a normal load, Line 2 for a large load or extra softness. Line 2 (which I can barely see aiming an LED flashlight into the cap) is 3 tablespoons, which is 1/3 of the cap. A full cap is 9 tablespoons, which the dispenser compartment will easily hold. I don't know any details about their laundry habits other than what I can infer from the machine's condition and her statement quoted above about softener use. I suppose I could ask but I imagine my sister's friend would find the line of questioning to be odd. :-)

The residue in the dispenser housing was waxy, definitely softener scent. It didn't generate any suds when I washed the housing. The door boot, drum, outer tub, and remains of the drum support have the same strong scent.

They apparently used liquid detergent. The dispenser compartment has a removable insert in place accordingly, although that may not be a meaningful clue. I doubt detergent, either liquid or powder, is a related factor. Underdosing of detergent is by-and-large more likely to cause residue issues than overdosing (except, of course, for excess suds, which in this case is unlikely to occur because of all the softener residue, LOL). Cold water surely is a factor. Takes some heat to melt the waxy softener residue along with sufficient detergent to hold it in suspension in the wash water to be flushed away.

You know... even before I really knew anything about Laundry, I used liquid Tide for the most part and always poured to the lowest line in the cap. Line One.. and it always worked (in our Front Loader). I washed in Warm & Hot because I thought it would be more effective.

And when we used Powder dishwasher detergent, in the Green Cascade box.. I always filled the main cup halfway, and closed the door. No one ever taught me these things, it just seemed like a good idea at the time.. and it worked.

It always worked, and it seemed so wasteful to use more than you needed.

Now.. I wasn't perfect by any means. I once added Downy Fabric Softener to the main wash water, hoping for more scented clothes (epic fail). And I probably should have sorted things a little more. Instead of throwing random (colour) towels in with coloured cotton clothes.

Like I said... No one ever taught me these things. They just seemed like the right thing to do. And while I wasn't completely right... I don't understand how everyone else just gets the idea to do things so differently.

Maybe I'm just different :P

I use and love fabric softener, and have used in religiously and copiously since the 1980's. NEVER one issue from using it. No catastrophic failures of any kind.

I do A LOT of hot water and even sanitize washes (and almost only use powder detergents).

At the end of my washing, I ALWAYS remove the detergent tray and run HOT water thru every crevice. I wipe the area where the detergent tray sits with a clean, dry towel. I wipe the rubber door boot and behind and inside it (no standing water anywhere). I ALWAYS leave the door open when not washing. The detergent tray REMAINS out of the machine, until I am ready to wash again. The entire machine is "open", breathing and dry!!

The inside of my machine and my detergent tray look as clean and fresh as the day it arrived.

So yes it you are foolish with detergent dosing, using too much liquid fabric softener andwashing only in cold or luke warm water....you might have these issues.

I FIRMLY believe, there is absolutely NO danger or risk in using liquid FS! :)

I'm with Larsi, us "fanatics" would never even allow anything to grow or corrode.

We use hot (or allergen or sanitize) options, wipe things dry, air dry things totally, use bleach often or at least on occasion.

I think it the people who do all the wrong things that have early failing machines.

Dadoes posts always make me scared to use LFS for a few loads, clean out the trap, check every nook in both washers, run an extra clean cycle. Scary stuff.

I never said softener can't be used safely. The point is that it can cause serious trouble if dosed to excess and/or with associated bad laundry habits (although these people weren't aware they were doing anything wrong). There was no evidence of mold in the machine, just all the waxy build-up from softener.

I'm starting to wonder if it is not some weird water chemistry combined with the laundry products that's at play here. Did some reading up on aluminum corrosion and from what I read Aluminum corrodes into Aluminum Oxide which is very tough and prevents further corrosion. BUT highly alkaline or acidic stuff will remove this layer and start the aluminum dissolving. That seems like what is going on here. Your fabric softener starts out at about a pH of 3 but dissolved in water will increase quite a bit.

I found this site interesting: http://www.aluminiumdesign.net/design-support/aluminium-corrosion-resistance/#toc-aluminium-in-water

Not sure exactly what the cause is other than poor dosing and maybe poor practices. But I would hope the manufacturers test with various stuff (water, softener, detergent, etc).

"BUT highly alkaline or acidic stuff will remove this layer and start the aluminum dissolving"

Hm, now I wonder about cleaning my washer with citric acid.

"Dosage lines on laundry product caps are notoriously difficult to see."

That might have been part of the user's problem. Probably the laundry product industry wants us to use more than we should. Otherwise, why wouldn't they make those lines easier to see?