Washing Machine Leak Brown Glue ?

• 

  coffeeinmyveins on 30/08/2025 - 23:03

  -3

  A two second Google shows that this is likely the result of too much detergent and other liquids and cold washes.

  Do a hot cleaning cycle and stop using fabric softeners if you are

  • 

    dcep on 30/08/2025 - 23:18

    you mean the detergent turn into brown goo stuff as shown in photo ?

    • 

      coffeeinmyveins on 31/08/2025 - 09:00

      -2

      We aren't there. You are.

      Give it a proper clean cycle on the hottest it'll go. Failing that, see if you can take the drum out to inspect it.

      Else get a professional to look at it

  • 

    dcep on 30/08/2025 - 23:27

    AI Overview
    A "sticky" washing machine is likely due to detergent, fabric softener, or fabric oil buildup, which leaves a sticky residue on clothes or the machine itself. To fix this, perform a thorough cleaning cycle using white vinegar or a specialized washing machine cleaner, clean the dispenser drawer, reduce the amount of detergent and fabric softener, and ensure you don't overload the machine.

    I don't think the brown glue is detergent.

• 

  Elppa8 on 30/08/2025 - 23:29

  Age, type and cost of equivalent machine would be helpful. If I was to guess it would gearbox leakage if it has one.

• 

  Barbados Slim on 31/08/2025 - 00:07

  +1

  If you wanted another suggestion I once had a cat that used to shit in the washing machine 👍

  • 

    87percent on 31/08/2025 - 09:33

    +1

    Hopefully you discovered before you washed the clothes

    • 

      joka on 31/08/2025 - 12:48

      Or the cat

• 

  Exprise on 31/08/2025 - 01:18

  Could be rust or potentially hydraulic fluid if that's used in the shock absorbers.. no idea

• 

  apsilon on 31/08/2025 - 06:16

  +3

  I know little about the workings of washing machines but my guess is it's grease. Seal on a main bearing has gone and the grease has been spun out, centrifugal force has moved it from the centre towards the outer edge where you can now see it..

• 

  tenpercent on 31/08/2025 - 06:37

  +4

  It's very sticky , won't dissolve by water , it smells (couldn't tell what it is) , looks like grease but not oily at all , sticks and stains on clothing.

  What does it taste like?

  • 

    saltypete on 31/08/2025 - 09:09

    +2

    This is why I look at the OZB forums each day….

  • 

    JIMB0 on 31/08/2025 - 11:17

    +1

    Brown glue would be my guess.

• 

  BOGOF on 31/08/2025 - 07:28

  How old is the machine?
  Do you wash with warm or cold water?
  Do you use fabric conditioner?

  • 

    boomramada on 31/08/2025 - 08:30

    -1

    Do you use fabric conditioner?

    Fabric conditioner doesn't make brown stuff. I been using it for like 14 + years in a same machine.
    Perhaps OP never wash the washing machine at least once a year.

• 

  hasher22 on 31/08/2025 - 09:13

  +1

  Either claim under warranty if you can, gamble with a repair (might cost alot) or just buy a new one.

  Or gamble #2, run an empty cycle.

• 

  LFO on 31/08/2025 - 10:38

  From the pics it might be sealant from under the wash barrel. From between the electric motor and the barrel.
  Some kind of silicone.
  A guess only, of course.

• 

  Artkin on 31/08/2025 - 10:47

  +2

  Ai sez: That “brown glue” is almost certainly bearing grease or damper grease escaping. It’s a sign the washer is on borrowed time. If it’s staining clothes, I’d lean toward replacing the machine rather than paying for a major strip-down repair.

• 

  McEels on 31/08/2025 - 12:07

  Mr Hanky fell in and got stuck?

• 

  dcep on 31/08/2025 - 22:00

  +1

  Thanks for the input everyone. Will get a new one. Cheers!
  Seems likely the case of motor grease leaking. As the brown goo wasn't there before, it just appeared out of nowhere after finished washing yesterday. It's not something that has been accumulate there over time.