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.