what is this stuff in the laundry sink

[luv2liv]

https://imgur.com/a/W1oa7Im

once a month, my laundry sink will have this grey buildup and clog up the sink. when wet, it feels soupy maybe like wet clay.
what is it and should i be concerned?

 

[boomerang]

What does it taste like?

 

[herm0016]

Basement? Use it much? Looks like you need your mainline cleaned and inspected. Is it the lowest drain in the house or hooked up close to the sewer exit?

 

[lxskllr]

Looks like cat litter. Any way that could get in the system somewhere?

 

[luv2liv]

it's from the washer output flexible tube. im guessing lint.
but how can so much lint come out?

 

[PowerEngineer]

Yuck! What kind of detergent are you using in your washing machine (and how much)? Is it the right type for your machine? Are your cloths coming out clean and undamaged? How many loads do you run per month? City or well water? Any water treatment?

 

[NetWareHead]

Looks like sewer backup. My neighbor had some in his basement and it looked like that.

Have you actually seen it exit the washer drain? Seems strange so much lint would come out at once and once a month

 

[mxnerd]

It looks like clay, but how did it get in there?

And you never clean the sink?

The green/black mold around the sink looks terrible.

 

[Six]

This sludge is the result of numerous cold washes, an energy efficient washer, and phosphate-free detergents. Running a hot cycle with Affresh will clear out the sludge. Saving water, electricity, and the environment cost money.

 

[mxnerd]

OP's washing machine probably is front loading?

https://ask.metafilter.com/294032/What-is-the-sludge-draining-out-of-my-washing-machine

https://www.drkarenslee.com/front-loading-washer-maintenance/

 

[luv2liv]

OP's washing machine probably is front loading?

https://ask.metafilter.com/294032/What-is-the-sludge-draining-out-of-my-washing-machine

https://www.drkarenslee.com/front-loading-washer-maintenance/

yes, it's front loading. seems spot on. thanks!

 

[PowerEngineer]

Interesting. We have a top-loading HE washer and have found that it can get a bit moldy if we do not leave the top up when not in use. We also do run a cleaning cycle about every month. It was also suggested that we not use the detergent pods as their plastic coating can accumulate inside the washer.

 

[zinfamous]

I think you're supposed to clean the litter box manually and not dump it all into the washer.