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neighbour
Her machine won't drain. It's sat in her utility full of water, and the repair quote came back at hundreds. All because of the dog.
She's been coming round to do her washing at mine for two weeks now. Bless her, she brings biscuits. But it's a bit much, isn't it, standing in your kitchen while someone else's smalls go round.
She's got a big soppy golden retriever. Sheds for England. And a few weeks ago her machine just stopped mid-cycle, full of water, door locked.
When the repair place finally came out, the chap said it was the filter and the pump, packed solid with dog hair. A hundred and eighty pounds just to get it draining again, and that was the cheap end.
And I stood there feeling a bit smug, if I'm honest. Because I used to have the exact same thing. Same golden-retriever-level shedding. Same slow drain. I was about a fortnight off being her.
What changed it for me was finally understanding where the hair ends up.
It doesn't stay on the clothes. It washes off, works its way down into the filter, and wraps itself round the pump. And your detergent can't stop it, because dog hair is keratin, a protein, and detergent is built for grease. It just compacts down there, wash after wash, until the machine can't push the water out.
Then one day it stops dead. And you're either paying a repair bill or doing your washing in someone else's kitchen.
I run an enzyme powder through mine now. It's called Draen. It's built on protease, the one thing that actually dissolves the hair the detergent can't.
Two tablespoons. Empty drum. Hottest cycle. Once a week. It breaks the trapped hair down so it flushes out through the drain instead of collecting round the pump. It's a machine treatment, not something you put in with your clothes. I do the dog's bed and blankets with it too, on a hot wash.
The first run, the water came out filthy. That was everything that had been building up letting go. And I've not had so much as a slow drain since. Five-second job, once a week, and I never think about it.
I told her to get the machine fixed first, because this won't unblock one that's already packed. And then to keep it from ever happening again for the price of a takeaway.
She's ordering some this week. Mainly, I think, so she can stop bringing me biscuits.
"My dog moults constantly and the drum was always full of hair. One empty hot cycle with Draen and the hair flushed straight out. The machine drains properly again and my washing comes out clean now. I'll definitely be ordering again."
Charlotte M.✓ Verified customer"I was a bit sceptical but willing to give it a go. I've got a large German Shepherd and the hair gets everywhere, especially in the machine. After a few weekly cycles the drum is clear of hair and it drains like new. Far exceeded my expectations."
Amelia R.✓ Verified customerMy neighbour started at £180 and that was just to get it draining. Once the pump burns out you're looking at £300 to £800, or £350 to £500 for a new machine, and the same buildup starts again. Draen is £24.90. Cheaper than the repair, and a lot cheaper than a fortnight of someone else's washing in your kitchen.
One thing worth knowing: it sells out. If it's in stock when you click through, don't leave it, or you could end up doing your washing round a neighbour's like she is.
Draen comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. No risk in trying it. The only risk is waiting for the day yours packs in too.
Free UK delivery. Ships from the UK.
Two tablespoons in the empty drum, on the hottest cycle (90°C), once a week. That's the whole routine.
Yes. Front-loader, top-loader, HE and compact, all types.
No. If it's already grinding or won't drain, get the filter cleared first. Draen is prevention. It stops the hair building up so it never gets to that point.
No. It's a machine treatment, run in an empty drum. You can also use it on pet bedding on a hot wash, but not with your everyday clothes.
30-day full refund. No questions.
This article reflects the personal experience and professional opinion of the author and is an advertisement feature for Draen. Individual results may vary. Draen is a household cleaning product for an empty washing-machine maintenance cycle. Do not use on wool, silk, leather, cashmere, down or colour-sensitive fabrics. Keep out of reach of children. Prices and offers correct at time of publishing.