cleaning a washing machine

becnsean

hi ive noticed my washer is starting to smell musky and is getting damp mould stains on the rubber. i was wondering if anyone has any tips to get rid of this? ive tried a hot bleach eash but that hasnt work. our area is hard water aswel so that dosent help. many thanks

[Deleted User]

becnsean wrote: »

hi ive noticed my washer is starting to smell musky and is getting damp mould stains on the rubber. i was wondering if anyone has any tips to get rid of this? ive tried a hot bleach eash but that hasnt work. our area is hard water aswel so that dosent help. many thanks

Believe me, if you're getting mould stains on the rubber, the inside of the machine won't be pretty :eek:
The low washing temperatures we all use these days just make the problem worse.


The only thing I've found that really works is Dr Beckmann's Service-IT washing machine cleaner - which I buy from Tesco. I put it through the washing machine about every 3 months (part of the process is using a bit to clean the rubber around the door; soak the washing powder compartment for a while; and then put the rest of it through the machine to clean it through). Works brilliantly, and keeps the machine, and my washing, smelling fresh.

Cheapest I've found it was at Poundstretcher - but it's not always stocked there.

macman

Cupful of white vinegar on a hot wash cycle (at least 60C) will sort it.

I_luv_cats

Washing Machine Cleaner

£1. 99 per pack

(2 x 250ml, £3.98 per litre)

Maintains your machine against breakdowns and malfunctions


Aldi email had this for Sunday Special 23rd


http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_21466.htm

missprice

i do a 90 degree empty wash

seems to work ok

used to put bleach in on the 90 wash but was told that makes the rubber seal perish quicker
dunno if its true

I_luv_cats

missprice wrote: »

i do a 90 degree empty wash

seems to work ok

used to put bleach in on the 90 wash but was told that makes the rubber seal perish quicker
dunno if its true

My rubber is 11 years old and i do an empty wash on 90c with a little detergent and bleach every few months. ALL OK.

The machine cost me £550 then !!!!!

grizzly1911

As well as the hot washes with/without bleach, detergemt , vinegar and Dr Beckams I have found leaving the door ajar regularly helps massively.

i thought I had a dead sock trapped somewhere for a while, but leaving the door open helped loads.

Won't stop that mold/staining on the rubber though

ryder72

No real need for bleach/vinegar in the machine. Regularly do a wash (linens, towels etc) at the highest available temperature and leave the door open to let the machine dry out.

All this washing at 30 deg eco friendly washing stuff causes problems.

alta

I run a hot wash every month/6 weeks with half a packet of washing soda, any good supermarket, superdrug, wilkinson. leaves is clean and sparkly, also cleans the pipes.

ic

Every few months I always run mine on two empty 90oC washes (normal wash, not quick or ultra eco) - one with half a bottle (250ml) of white vinegar poured into the drum, and then another with a cupful of biological powder in the drawer. I also always leave the door ajar when the machine is not in use so that it can be aired. Also regularly check the fluff filter (preferably just before doing the wash I just described), and you'll also need to pull out the detergent drawer and wash that in the sink.

myhooose

ic wrote: »

Every few months I always run mine on two empty 90oC washes (normal wash, not quick or ultra eco) - one with half a bottle (250ml) of white vinegar poured into the drum, and then another with a cupful of biological powder in the drawer. I also always leave the door ajar when the machine is not in use so that it can be aired. Also regularly check the fluff filter (preferably just before doing the wash I just described), and you'll also need to pull out the detergent drawer and wash that in the sink.

It's pointless using biological powder on a 90 degree wash as the enzymes in the power will be killed off by the high temperature. They work at lower temperatures around 40 deg C.