Washing Machine - Best way to clean it?

chantelle87_2

ooo i was wondering this i recently did a calgon descale and some bleach in the drum but i think i am going to bio hot wash before i try the vinegar....

I also clean my washing machine once a week just give it a quick wipe around the rubber bits and also the little draw x

wallbash

I rarely use powder now though. It's usually tablets or gel. Would that make a difference?

Yes . I believe the gel/liquid/tabs ( which is I now use) is the problem
less bleach.Also we now use a lower temp.

Easy fix. once in a while ( Monthly??) use a very hot wash 95 degrees
I bung in soda crystals, £1.25 a small bag.. use a third of the bag.

wallbash

I've never had a problem in over 20 years, and various machines either - until I moved house last year

Moved to a harder water area??

savemoney

Vinegar solution also works for dish washers

jackieb

wallbash wrote: »

Moved to a harder water area??

Nope, just a couple of streets away. We're in Scotland so our water's soft.

TomsMom

We've alwlays lived in softer water areas, had a top loader and front loader and in 40 years I've never had a washing machine smell. I always leave the door ajar so that the drum/door can dry off.

The only problem I have is that brownish/black slime eventually builds up in the drawer, which I take out and give a scrub.

littlelaurakate

I have got horrible mould build up around rubber ring...just cleared most of it off with Bar Keepers Friend paste, left to work on it for 30 mins, the scrubbed it and wiped it off. I am bemused as to why I get this rot on the seal? It is foul. It has actually stained it now too - yak!!!! Never got this with my old washer...

wallbash

Rubber seal is a rubber seal


What are YOU doing that's different .

Liquid/gel instead of powder OR trying to save money with cooler washes??

jackieb

I tried the soda crystals and they worked a treat - for about 4 days, then the smell came back. It's so frustrating because i've never had a smelly machine before. I've also found grey sludge on some of the washing, and around the rubber seal. It looks like the stuff you'd have if you cleaned out a filter - but my machine doesn't have a filter (that I can see anyway!)

wallbash

That grey sludge/slime is wonderful :eek:

Yes the soda crystals were a good start, but its not a miracle one stop cure.
In fact , your problem could now be worse :eek::eek:
You have loose sludge ( instead of stuck sludge)

I had to run two cycles , 90 degree wash , with an empty drum before I started to see a result .

30 degree wash plus liquid detergent equals sludge.
Use an occasional HOT wash.