Detergent holder my bosch washer has suddenly started filling up with water in the detergent dispenser after each wash,i have not changed my powder or detergent so could you please tell me why this is happening. mrs l little

The first thing to do is take note of what the washer is doing when water leaks out in order to help pinpoint the cause. Does it only leak when filling? Is it leaking during wash or rinses? Or is it leaking only when it goes into spin?

Only leaks when filling

• Water pressure that's too strong. Some dispensers can't cope with high water pressure. Make sure the washer is level as one leaning forward can leak if combined with high water pressure. Try turning the tap on the washer down. Only suspect this if you know the water pressure is high and it looks like it's gushing in quite fast on fill
• If there is an optional detergent flap fitted in the drawer for holding liquid detergent make sure it is removed or drawn into the up position if using powder otherwise it prevents detergent running down into the drum
• A build up of grease and slime in the nozzles at the top of the dispenser where the water flows in causing water to spray at the front and run out when filling. Check this article -black jelly-like substance in soap dispenser and on soap drawer (In extreme cases I've had to replace the dispenser.)
• A build up of undissolved detergent in the base of the soap dispenser under the drawer (depending on the design). Remove the soap drawer and check the bottom of the soap dispenser for a build up of detergent that could allow water to run over the lip of the dispenser
• Blocked dispenser hose: Some washing machines can flood water out of the soap dispenser if the hose leading out of the dispenser into the tub gets blocked. Blockages can be something put into the drawer by a child or a chunk of undissolved detergent tablet. Indesit, and Candy, as well as some of the later Hoover washing machines suffered from this design flaw. The hose where the water is flushed down, was right at the front of the soap dispenser on these washing machines and it wasn't wide enough. Undissolved powder from a tablet or lumps of detergent through poor water pressure can block this hose solid causing water to back up. Unplug machine, remove lid and feel this hose carefully for obstructions.
• Overfilling: If the washer starts to fill and never stops it will flood out of the drawer eventually - Washing machine overfills

Leaks out of drawer during the wash or rinse cycle

• Too many suds? If you can see the door glass is white with foam up to the top it could be foaming out of the dispenser. Too much foam in the washing machine
• Overfilling: If the washer starts washing but the water doesn't stop coming in it will eventually fill the drum so much it will start to pour out of the soap drawer and other places. If this is the fault you should be able to see the drum is so full of water it's making a different sound, maybe labouring under the load, and the door glass full to the top with water. You should also hear that water is still running into the machine and be able to detect it by opening the drawer. However, in most cases an over filling washing machine should trigger an error code long before it gets to this stage but if you suspect overfilling check this page - Washing machine overfills
• Surging: There are (often intermittent) faults that can cause the motor to spin out of control on wash or rinses. Instead of turning slowly the fault causes the motor to surge into spin instead which throws the laundry and all the water about violently. Water can then be forced out of the soap dispenser drawer. This fault should be relatively rare these days but if you observe this behaviour call an engineer to diagnose the cause.

Leaks from drawer only when spinning

• If it only comes out on spin it can be caused by a partial blockage preventing the water being pumped out fast enough resulting in excess water being thrown around on spin and backing up into the dispenser. This fault is similar to the surging fault described in the last list but different in that the problem only occurs when it's on a proper spin cycle and much of the water has been pumped away. Troubleshooting this fault is all about finding out why it isn't emptying the water properly which is usually due to a partial blockage. Follow the same troubleshooting as described for a washer not pumping any water out at all - Washing machine won't empty water
• If water is being forced out of the drawer when the washer is spinning but it is on wash or rinse and shouldn't be spinning follow the procedure for surging in the previous section above

Inside the dispenser drawer, at the bottom there is a tab that you can push down to remove the dispenser drawer. Remove the drawer and check if the dispenser holes are clogged, this is a common cause.

Do a tub clean cycle. Hottest water, no clothes, cup of bleach in washer, fill bleach dispenser with bleach, fill softener with bleach. Run once or twice. The 'grease' is actually residue from liquid detergent and/or softener. So stop using liquid detergent and switch to powdered (no residue believe it or not). Use plain white vinegar in place of softener. The acid eliminates the mildew residue and also helps get detergent residue out of your clothes. Good luck.

It should be okay to use dry bleach, if you follow the instructions on the bleach. Some bleaches require dissolving in water first, others can be used dry.

When the machine starts to wash water passes into the detergent dispenser and carries the detergent into the drum, if the detergent outlet is blocked, or resticted, this will cause the water to leak out of the dispenser.

Check the dispenser to see if an accumulated crust of powder is clogging the outlet holes, most dispensers are removable for cleaning, check your machine instructions for details.

Was the dispenser cup wet when you added detergent?
Make sure the dispenser cup is dry before adding powdered detergent. If dispenser cup is wet, the detergent can clump.
Is the cycle incomplete?
If the previous cycle did not complete, the detergent can become caked in the dispenser cup if it is left sitting in the dishwasher.
Is the detergent old?
Older detergent exposed to air will clump and not dissolve well, which will cause the dispenser door to stick to the detergent. Replace detergent if necessary and store the detergent in a tightly closed container in a cool dry place.
Is the water temperature too low?
For best washing and drying results, water should be 120oF (49o C) as it enters the dishwasher.
Were items blocking the dispenser that kept it from opening?
Items blocking the detergent dispenser will keep it from opening. Make sure water action can reach the dispenser.
Detergent guidelines

• Use automatic dishwashing detergent only.
• Other detergents can produce excessive suds that can overflow out of the dishwasher and reduce washing performance.
• Store tightly closed detergent in a cool, dry place.
• Fresh automatic dishwasher detergent results in better cleaning.
• Add detergents just before starting the cycle.
• The amount of detergent to use depends on the hardness of your water and the type of detergent.
• If you use too little, dishes won't be clean.
• If you use too much in soft water, glassware will etch.
• Suggested fill amounts are for standard powdered detergent. Amounts may vary if you use liquid or concentrated powdered detergent. Follow instructions on the package when using these detergents.
• Water hardness can change over a period of time. Find out your water's hardness by asking your local water department, water softener company, or county extension agent.

There is a rather delicate mechanism which controls that soap door. Often this is the first part of a dishwasher to cause trouble. Instead of using the powdered detergent in the soap holder just pour the measured amount into the floor of the machine.

Once you have used up the powder, you might wish to consider a tablet which also just gets tossed.

Is water left in the dispenser at the end of the cycle?
About two tablespoons of water remaining in the dispenser compartment at the end of the cycle is normal. At the end of the wash cycle, fresh water automatically cleans the dispenser. Check that the cycle is complete before opening the dispenser drawer.
Is the dispenser drawer clogged?
A clogged dispenser can block the flow of water through the dispenser and cause water to leak out. Manually remove the dispenser, and clean any leftover detergent or additives that could clog the flow of water through the dispenser. Also, check that the detergent drawer is always completely closed during the cycle. If the drawer is not closed completely, water can leak out onto the floor.
Are the additives dispensing too early?
Here are a few things that can cause the additives (detergent, fabric softener or liquid chlorine bleach) to dispense early:

• Check that the dispenser is not overfilled. Do not fill past the MAX fill lines on the dispenser. Overfilling can cause early dispensing of liquid chlorine bleach and/or fabric softener.
• Check that the detergent separator is in the correct position. For liquid detergent, the separator should be in the front position. For powdered detergent, the separator should be in the rear position. If the separator is in the rear position while you are using liquid detergent, it will dispense immediately, which is not how it is designed to work.
• Use powdered HE detergent when using the DELAY WASH option. Liquid detergent may dispense prior to the start of wash.

Are the additives dispensing too late?
The additives will not dispense until the proper time if the DELAY WASH option is selected.