A magic marker stain on a pillow can feel like game over.
Bright ink on fabric usually looks permanent, especially when the stain is fresh and bold. But in this case, the villain was a red magic marker and the hero was Stain Solver. A newly made red marker stain on a pillow was treated right away, and the result was a clean-looking fabric surface again.
If your washing machine soap tray is starting to look grimy, you're not alone.
Over time, detergent drawers and dispenser trays can collect a messy mix of soap residue, fabric softener buildup, mildew, and dark grime in the corners and channels. Even if the rest of the washer looks clean, that tray can become one of the dirtiest parts of the machine.
The good news is that it is usually easy to clean.
In this video, a stained washing machine soap tray is removed, treated with a Stain Solver solution, allowed to soak, then rinsed clean. The before-and-after difference is dramatic.
Why Washing Machine Soap Trays Get So Dirty
Your washer’s detergent drawer handles a lot more than just soap.
It is constantly exposed to:
Laundry detergent
Fabric softener residue
Standing moisture
Drips and splashes
Mildew-prone buildup in tight spaces
Because the tray stays damp and has small corners, grooves, and compartments, residue can build up quickly and become hard to remove with a simple wipe.
How to Clean a Washing Machine Soap Tray with Stain Solver
This is a simple soak-and-rinse cleaning job.
For a small part like a washer soap tray, use the same standard small-batch mix we’ve used throughout this series:
1 tablespoon of Stain Solver (1/2 scoop)
1 cup of warm or hot water
If you need more solution for the job size, just scale it up using that same ratio.
Then follow these steps:
Remove the soap tray or detergent drawer from the washing machine
Mix Stain Solver with warm or hot water until fully dissolved
Either spray the solution on or submerge the tray in the solution
Make sure the stained areas are thoroughly wet
Let it soak for about 15 minutes
Rinse with clean water
Scrub lightly if needed in corners or tight spots
Let it dry, then reinstall the tray
Spray It or Soak It
One nice thing about this job is that you have two easy options.
If you have a sink, bowl, or basin large enough, soaking the tray is a great choice. If not, you can spray the solution directly onto the tray and keep it wet while it works.
Why Hot Water Helps
Hot water helps the powder dissolve quickly and get to work faster.
That matters because the goal is to let the Stain Solver solution soak into the detergent residue and grime so it can loosen it before you rinse or scrub. Just like with many other Stain Solver cleaning jobs, giving the solution a little time to work first makes the whole process much easier.
Don’t Forget the Tight Corners
Washing machine trays usually get dirtiest in the hardest-to-reach places.
That includes:
The back corners
Narrow channels
Divider walls between compartments
Around caps, inserts, or removable pieces
The detergent and softener sections
If any residue remains after soaking, a small brush can help you finish the job without much effort.
Great for Front-Load Washer Detergent Drawers
This cleaning method is especially useful for:
Front-load washer detergent drawers
Pull-out soap trays
Bleach compartments
Fabric softener sections
Other removable plastic laundry dispenser parts
If the part is removable and water washable, this is an easy way to restore a cleaner, fresher look.
A Cleaner Tray Helps Your Washer Feel Cleaner Too
A dirty detergent drawer can make the whole laundry area feel less clean.
But this is one of those quick maintenance jobs that can make a washer look much better fast. Once the tray is cleaned up, the machine is instantly fresher and better cared for.
And because this is such a simple soak-and-rinse job, it is easy to repeat as part of a regular laundry room cleaning routine.
Keep It Cleaner Longer
Once you have the tray cleaned, a few small habits can help slow future buildup:
Remove and rinse the tray periodically
Let it dry before sliding it fully back in when possible
Wipe out extra detergent or softener residue
Do not let thick product buildup sit too long
A little routine maintenance can help keep the tray from getting heavily stained again.
The Stain Solver Solution
A dirty washing machine soap tray may look annoying, but it is usually a very easy fix.
With a simple Stain Solver solution, a short soak, and a quick rinse, you can lift away built-up residue and restore the tray to a much cleaner condition. It is one of the easiest ways to freshen up your washer without taking on a major cleaning project.
Sometimes the dirtiest part of the washer is the easiest part to clean.
Some cleaners are made for one very specific job.
Stain Solver is different. It's the kind of cleaner you can keep on hand for all kinds of everyday messes—inside the house, at the office, outside around the yard, and even on some of the toughest stains you thought were impossible to fix.
If you're looking for one product that can handle laundry stains, kitchen buildup, pet messes, dirty grout, outdoor furniture, deck grime, and more, this is exactly why so many people think of Stain Solver as an everyday everything cleaner.
Dirty grout can make an otherwise clean tile floor look old, dull, and impossible to restore.
Even when your ceramic tile still looks good, the grout lines can trap dirt, grime, and buildup that gradually turn them brown, gray, or almost black. The good news is that you don't have to live with dingy grout.
With Stain Solver and some warm water, a little soak time, and a stiff scrub brush, you can dramatically improve the look of dirty grout and bring your tile floor back to life.
Red wine is one of those spills that can make your heart sink instantly.
One second you’re enjoying dinner, and the next you’re staring at a bright red stain on a white napkin, carpet, table linen, or your shirt. The good news is that red wine is actually one of the stain types Stain Solver removes exceptionally well! Even older red wine stains can often be removed.
Outdoor cushions can get dirty fast.
Between pollen, dirt, mildew, food spills, and everyday outdoor exposure, patio cushions and other outdoor fabrics can start to look dingy long before the season is over. The good news is that they can often be cleaned much more easily than people expect.
Upholstery stains happen fast.
One minute your couch, chair, or cushion looks perfectly fine, and the next minute you’re dealing with a messy food spill, a drink stain, or even a pet accident. The good news is that upholstery stains don’t have to mean permanent damage.
In this example, Stain Solver was used to clean a tough upholstery stain from a cushion, and the results were dramatic. With the right mix, enough soak time, and proper blotting, the stained area came back looking remarkably clean.
If you use a tea maker or coffee maker often, the filter basket can start to look permanently stained.
Over time, tea and coffee leave behind brown buildup that can cling to plastic and other washable components. Regular rinsing usually is not enough, and scrubbing can be frustrating. The good news is that Stain Solver’s built for jobs like this: mix it with warm or hot water, let it dissolve completely, then soak the stained item and let it work.
A green, slippery patio can make your outdoor space look neglected fast.
Algae buildup is common on patios, especially in shaded or damp areas. It can leave brick, concrete, pavers, and natural stone looking dirty and feeling slick underfoot. The good news is that you do not need harsh chemicals or a pressure washer to get great results. Stain Solver’s patio-cleaning guidance says it works well on concrete, brick, and natural stone, making it a practical option for many common patio surfaces.
Green algae can make your home’s exterior look dirty fast.
It shows up on deck boards, railings, siding, patios, and other outdoor surfaces, especially in damp or shaded areas. It can leave surfaces looking stained, weathered, and even a little slippery. The good news is that cleaning it off does not have to be complicated.
With Stain Solver, the process is simple: mix it, spray it, let it sit, scrub lightly, and rinse. That’s it.
If you make coffee every day, your coffee carafe can start to look stained on the inside.
After hundreds—or even thousands—of pots of coffee, that buildup can make the inside of the carafe look nothing like the outside. The good news is that you don’t have to live with that dingy, stained look. With a simple hot-water soak, you can help lift away stubborn coffee residue and bring your carafe back to a much cleaner appearance.
