Hotpoint Wdl 540 G - Soap Drawer Removal

[AndyC]

The Hotpoint manual provides guidance and a diagram for removing the detergent dispenser tray, which says to lift up and pull forward.. I've not seen one of this type before, instead of the usual tray that pulls forward, it has a swinging grey front door opening to 90degrees revealing the white plastic soap and conditioner tray. As the external parts are all grey, it is easy to see which bit of the white innards should be lifted and pulled forward as instructed, but no amount of tugging and wiggling has got it to move.

Am I missing something here? I can't see any obvious clip or spring device.

Anyone know how to get this tray out?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Pull the drawer out fully then grip it by the sides just over half way down and pull it out as you lift it slightly. There's usually a bit sticking out at the bottom stopping it from coming out, see if you can see it. They are sometimes designed to not come out too easily so you may just need to be a bit more forceful. If there was a clip (as there often is) it would be mentioned in the instruction book so it probably just needs to be pulled out over the stop at the back.

[AndyC]

Thanks. This design is a quarter circle so there are no 'sides' to squeeze. However much lifting you do it makes no difference. I found out why when it finally gave way. The rear is clipped onto the steel hinge spindle, so it has to be released not by lifting and pulling, but by lifting the front at an angle causing the cover to hinge in and the inside snap loose. Phew! What 'genius' thought that was a good design for something the manual says should be done 'frequently'.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Maybe they didn't update the instructions for the new design? The instructions sound typical for a normal dispenser drawer.

[HCF]

Having come to this same problem years later, and seeing no solution on line, though it was worth a response. They key step here is to open the quarter circle door a little too far, so that the tray is able to lift a little bit at the back clear of the top of the interior then the tray will easily slide forwards (separating from the door).  There is a little clip inside, which attaches to a metal rail, this needs to separate before the drawer will slide away. See photos. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Thanks for that.

[Dee]

I just wanted to say a sincere thanks to HCF for this very useful advice. It's the only useful thing on the internet about this bloody drawer! Finally got it open thanks to this and cleaned out a horrible amount of gunk. Service wash now happily working away.