Sarnia
My washing machine is a Bosch self-dosing model so has the washing liquid and fabric conditioner poured directly into the 2 compartments in the drawer. Personally I find it makes extra work. The drawer needs removing for regular cleaning to remove residue and is difficult to dismantle for me. I have an engineer coming tomorrow as the fabric conditioner isn't being released into the drum. I am going to ask him about using a dosing ball. Easier all round.
My plumber said it's conditioners that cause mould, both fabric conditioners in the drawer of the washing machine and hair conditioners in the shower.
The drawer does come out and can be soaked and cleaned quite easily.
Mine has a flip-up lid on the detergent side and sometimes I use powder so keep the lid flipped up.