How to clean a washing machine?

skiTTish

A boil wash with half a bag of soda crystal once a month

painted_lady

I do a boil wash with bleach in the drum once a month, either with nothing in or a few tea towels, always smells lovely and has never damaged my clothes. I also leave the door open a little between cycles and take wet clothes out of the drum asap.

larmy16

This is from the mouth of a Miele washing macine repair man. "put some washing soda in and do a hot wash (empty) once a month". He said it beats calgon etc. I do this and as washing soda is dirt cheap I use half a bag.

rosekitten

I have a Meile too we are in a soft water
area so I only need to do mine about
twice a year.I put it on the longest cycle
and if you dont have any soda in use
nothing and be amazed at how soapy
the water is.

Also a good thing to do is to run a towel
that needs washing round the inner seal
(the grey rubbery bit to remove any residue
and water that forms in it,although the first
time you do this if you have not done it before
get a damp cloth and some hot water as it
can be quite grungy,but once done and
tackled on a regular basis its mostly just
water and the odd bits of soap powder,
and anything thats come loose buttons
coins etc.

If you know you have finished using the machine
dry out the door seal and leave the door slightly
ajar when not in use,especialy if you are off on
summer holidays

Also if you are not pre-washing or using fabric
conditioner,put you powder,liquid or tablet
straight in the drum.I dont use the drawer at all
these days so its always clean.