We use fabric softener in our washer and HE recommended detergent. Our fabric never seems to have the soft and desired smell of the fabric softener that our friends have! We use the recommended cycle for the dispensing of the softener too. We do not have softened water fed to the machine.

Gunk is from wrappers left in pockets, cheap fabrics throwing off gobs of lint, etc. no gunk is normal for good fabrics and emptied pockets. As to smell: do not use fabric softener use white vinegar in its place, and use powdered detergent instead if liquid detergent. Liquids leave residue and the residue leaves build ups which can mildew. I know that's counterintuitive but that is what happens.

Check for clogged water nozzles in the dispenser. Also, it's advisable to check for a gummed up softener dispenser--softener has a nasty habit of drying out and leaving a thick waxy paste on everything. Check the dispenser where you put in the softener--I recommend CUTTING THE SOFTENER 50/50 WITH HOT WATER to keep it very fluid. Softener causes lint! Be a scrooge when it comes to adding softener--enough to make the clothes smell nice and be soft--BUT THAT'S IT!! On rare occasions, one of the electric inlet water valves might be malfunctioning and not letting water flow to the softener dispenser.
NOTE TO EVERYONE!!!==>ON ALL *HE* WASHERS, NO MORE THAN 2 TABLESPOONS OF LIQUID DETERGENT IN ANY LOAD, IT'S PLENTY!! You're only using 1/3 of the water the old style washers used to use. As for softener, use only enough to get the job done--and always cut it with hot water, especially in the winter.

Hi,
Here is a tip that I wrote about what I found out about the fabric softener notdispensing into the washer...

Fridgidaire Washing Machine Fabric Softner not going intowasher

heatman101

this washer has different detergent concentration levels settings. 1.By holding delay wash then power button at the same time, while unit is off. then a C1,C2,C3 are main detergent concentration settings C1 being regular HE detergent and C3 being very concentrated some detergents tell you X2, X3 S1,S2 are softener B1,B2 are bleach 2. Then use buttons Delay wash to scroll for main detergent Extra rinse for softener Bleach for bleach 3. power button to exit and confirm
hope this helps also in manual and to clean tanks, Manual says to call a 1800# or find the instructions on the web. I've had this washer for a week no problems yet

Common usage things to check:

1. Detergent formulation
   Make sure you're using high quality detergent that contains both sodium carbonate and aluminosilicates. They'll be listed on the ingredient list.



2. Amount of detergent
   The detergent amounts given on the usage label of the detergent box are for average water hardness (4-9 gpg). If your water is harder than average, or if your clothes are really dirty, you'll need to use slightly more detergent than what's recommended on the box. If you have really hard water, you may need to add a packaged water conditioner to each load, such as Calgon® or Spring Rain®.
   
   If your water is softer than normal, you'll create too many suds, which will retain gookus. In this case, you'd use slightly less detergent than recommended on the box.



3. Cold water washing
   If you wash clothes in cold water only, the cold water should be in the range of 65-75F. If it's too cold for your hands to comfortably be in the water, it's too cold to activate the detergent.



4. Overloading
   After the washer is loaded with clothes and then filled with water, there needs to be enough head room in the tub for the clothes to swish around in. A properly loaded washer has clothes loosely placed in the tub up to the top row of holes.



5. Rinse-added fabric softener
   Some fabric softeners and detergents have a chemical reaction that can create white deposits (also called 'gookus') on the clothes. Try switching brands of fabric softeners or detergents or not using fabric softener at all for a couple of loads.

Use a compatible fabric softener. The fabric softener not only softens fabric and makes clothes smell nice, but they break down and neutralizes detergents.

drain tube stopped up with softener needs cleaning

vinegar apparently is good for using in a machine instead of fabric softner and will remove unwanted smells as well

According to the manual on pages 12 & 13.

1. Place a load of sorted clothes into the washer. See “Laundry
Tips.”
■ Load evenly to maintain washer balance. Mix large and
small items. Items should move easily through the wash
water.
■ Load only to the top of the basket as shown. Overloading
can cause poor cleaning. Items need to move easily
through the wash water.
2. Pour measured powdered or liquid High Efficiency detergent
into the detergent dispenser. Always use the detergent
dispenser, and do not put detergent directly onto clothes in
the washer.
3. Add color-safe bleach (powdered or liquid) to this dispenser,
if needed. Be sure to match powdered color-safe bleach with
powdered detergent or match liquid color-safe bleach with
liquid detergent.
4. Pour measured liquid chlorine bleach into the liquid chlorine
bleach dispenser, if needed. Bleach is diluted and
automatically dispensed at the proper time during the wash
cycle.
■ Do not overfill. Do not dilute. Do not use more than 1 cup
(250 mL) for a full load. Use less with a smaller load size.
■ Follow the garment and the chlorine bleach
manufacturer’s directions for proper use.
■ To avoid spilling, use a cup with a pouring spout. Do not
let bleach splash, drip, or run down into the washer basket.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid chlorine bleach in this dispenser.

5. Pour measured liquid fabric softener into the fabric softener
dispenser, if desired.
■ Do not overfill. The dispenser holds 3 oz (94 mL), or a
capful of fabric softener.
■ The fabric softener is dispensed in the final rinse. If Extra
Rinse is selected, the fabric softener will be dispensed
during the Extra Rinse.
■ Do not spill or drip any fabric softener onto the clothes.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid fabric softener in this dispenser.
6. Close the washer lid.
7. Press POWER. This turns on the washer display.
8. Select a Wash Cycle. See “Cycles.”
9. Select the desired Modifiers. See “Modifiers.”
10. Select an Option, if desired. See “Options.”
11. Select Delay Wash, if desired. See “Delay Wash” in the
“Modifiers” section.
12. Press START. The wash cycle begins, and the display shows
the estimated remaining time. The lid will lock.
NOTE: If you do not press Start within 5 minutes of pressing
Power, the washer automatically shuts off.


The way that I read the manual, your color safe bleach would go in the detergent dispenser. Your liquid chlorine bleach would go in the bleach dispenser.

Please rate this solution

You should make sure that your inlet to the machine flows with rather good pressure. I tell u this for your soft tray requires water, also your rinse.