The Miele W1 has a detergent dispenser drawer with three positions plus optional CapDosing, and its manual gives the cleaning routine that fixes most dispenser complaints. Pull the drawer out until resistance is felt, press the release button and pull it right out; remove the insert for liquid detergents, clean it with warm water, remove and clean the siphon in the chlorine bleach compartment, and clean the softener channel with a brush. Liquid starch clogs the softener siphon so the compartment overflows, so clean it thoroughly after using starch a few times. A fabric softener that is not fully dispensed points to a siphon tube that is misplaced or clogged.
Differential
Likely causes of “Miele W1 WXF980 washer does not dispense detergent, bleach or softener correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A clogged or misplaced siphon tube
What separates it Fabric softener is not completely dispensed or water remains in the compartment
How to confirm Remove the siphon, clean it and its tube, and refit it
- 2
Liquid starch build-up
What separates it The softener compartment overflows because of liquid starch build up
How to confirm Clean the siphon and the softener channel with a brush and warm water
- 3
Detergent residue and limescale in the drawer housing
What separates it Powder or gel is left behind because detergent residue and limescale are in the drawer housing
How to confirm Use a bottle brush on the jets inside the housing and dry the drawer
- 4
A blocked capsule pipe (CapDosing)
What separates it Liquid remains in the capsule or water beside it
How to confirm Clean the small pipe in the drawer; a little water in a capsule is normal
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which compartment is misbehaving and what product is in it
- Whether liquid starch or capsules are used
- When the drawer was last cleaned
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedRemove the drawer
ReversiblePull it until you feel resistance, press the release button and pull it right out.
Clean the insert and siphon
ReversibleRemove the release catch and the insert for liquid detergents and rinse it in warm water; take out the siphon and its tube and clean under running water.
Brush the channel and jets
ReversibleUse a brush on the fabric softener channel and a bottle brush on the housing's jets to remove residue and limescale.
Refit and dry
ReversibleRefit the siphon and the drawer, and leave the drawer slightly open so that it dries.
Use the right product
ReversibleDo not put stain removers and liquid detergent together in the drawer; use powder with a bleaching agent for fruit, coffee and tea stains.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- CapDosing and chlorine bleach
- The manual describes using chlorine bleach, powder detergent, tablets or pods, fabric softener and liquid starch in the drawer, and CapDosing capsules that sit on a small pipe in the softener compartment. An empty capsule must be removed and disposed of at the end of each wash, and the capsule sensor button must be activated when a capsule is next used.
- Hygiene reason for cleaning
- Washing at low temperatures and using liquid detergent can build up bacteria in the drawer as well as in the drum. Miele's hygiene note asks you to clean the entire drawer at regular intervals, and pairs it with the Clean Machine program for the drum.
- Miele parts for this problem, part numbers and prices
- Miele's own shop lists the detergent drawer sub-assembly, part number 9230910, at $76.00 and the insert for liquid detergent, part number 6670450, at $30.00 (prices change). Clean the drawer first, since most dispenser complaints are siphon and residue problems, not broken parts.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the W1 WXR960 washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the drawer will not release or is cracked, stop using it and call Miele Technical Service
- !If water leaks from the drawer onto the floor, check the inlet hoses first, then call service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Miele's own manual lookup for the US, where the WXF and WXR W1 instructions are listed by model.
Miele's own US spare-parts shop, prices and part numbers; prices change.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I clean the Miele detergent drawer?+
Remove it with the release button, clean the insert and siphon in warm water, brush the channel and jets, refit it and leave it slightly open.
Why does the softener compartment overflow?+
The siphon is clogged or misplaced, often after liquid starch.
Is water left in a capsule a fault?+
No; for technical reasons a small amount of water remains in the capsule.
Can I mix stain remover and liquid detergent in the drawer?+
No, never mix stain remover and liquid detergent together in the drawer.
Where should the drawer be left afterwards?+
Slightly open, to let it dry.
How do I stop the door and drawer smelling?+
Leave the door and the detergent drawer slightly open after washing, so that they dry.