Hi--have an older KitchenAid washing machine (no instruction manual) and am wondering how to remove the top of the softener dispenser so I can clean it. The softener is added through a hole at the top of the agitator. I had another washer which worked the same way and you could just lift the top portion of the agitator off. The top portion of the KitchenAid will turn as if I'm unscrewing it but does not come off, neither will it pull off. Need to clean the unit as the softener has gunked up the holes on the agitator shaft and the softener is not dispensing properly.
Thanks, Sandi

I have a Kitchen Aid KAWS777E... and the instruction manual. Here's what it says regarding removal of the fabric softener dispenser from the agitator: Remove the dispenser by grasping the top of the dispenser with both hands and squeezing and pushing upwards with thumbs.

The retention mechanism is pretty simple, really; there are about half a dozen nubs spaced evenly around the bottom of the dispenser which snap into a lip around the inside of the agitator's top.

I've found that holding the agitator steady with one hand and firmly pulling upwards on the dispenser snaps it out pretty easily.

Flushing the dispenser with hot water gets most of the build-up out. You'll also notice that there are small dispenser holes part way down the agitator (you'll want to leave the seal inside the agitator--that protects the mechanical parts from water and fabric softener). The dispenser holes are likely clogged with fabric softener gunk. Paper towels and hot water will quickly clean these.

Replacing the dispenser is simply a matter of snapping it back into place.

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Originally Posted by Wrenwell

Hi--have an older KitchenAid washing machine (no instruction manual) and am wondering how to remove the top of the softener dispenser so I can clean it. The softener is added through a hole at the top of the agitator. I had another washer which worked the same way and you could just lift the top portion of the agitator off. The top portion of the KitchenAid will turn as if I'm unscrewing it but does not come off, neither will it pull off. Need to clean the unit as the softener has gunked up the holes on the agitator shaft and the softener is not dispensing properly.
Thanks, Sandi

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Try putting the hottest water possible into the softener hole-that might help. Other wise, I suggest your call Whirlpool 800-807-6777 and ask for some technical advice about it... good luck

The old fabric softener is the "gummiest goo" to try to clean out of a washing machine. While rebuilding hundreds of used washers over three decades it was always a challenge to clean that crap out of the middle of agitators. We tried all kinds of solvents , detergents along with hot water and mostly it was endless scraping and flushing that finally got rid of it. Do yourself a favor after you get it clean and stick with the dryer sheets. If you have to use liquid softener, mix it with at least as much water before putting it into the dispenser.

Thanks did as suggested, back in operation

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Originally Posted by bigfish76

Thanks did as suggested, back in operation

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Top came off easy. Took a lot of flushing with hot water. Run top under tap hot water,shaking to get out bigger particules. Snap top back on, that's all it took