cleaning a washing machine

ic

Good point - I'd never thought about that. Perhaps Kim and Aggie specifically advised non-biological then and I misheard.

[Deleted User]

alta wrote: »

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.

I use washing soda regularly on my drains (flushed down with hot water) and it's fantastic for those. Never thought of using it in my washing machine.

Thank you !

becnsean

macman wrote: »

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

thanks for that i will give it a try x

[Deleted User]

Coincidentally, there was an item on smelly washing machines and their causes on "You and Yours" today (BBC Radio 4). It's all down to our washing with low temperatures. But much worse than the smell, is that fact that the low temperatures are not killing off the bugs we all carry inside us (like E-Coli) and more of us are getting ill as result (especially the very young and very old) - and some of the strains of bacteria are becoming resistant to the usual antibiotics etc :eek:

Recommendation was to wash all bed linen, towels, and underwear at 60 degrees (i.e. anything that goes near our "private" bits).

And once a week at least do an empty "wash" with a cup of vinegar at 90 degrees (I think that was Aggie who said that - she was one of the contributors).


If anyone is interested in listening, it will be on the LISTEN AGAIN facility later on today:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01684jk

"Why washing laundry at lower temperatures might not be enough to kill disease-causing bugs"

sunshinetours

myhooose wrote: »

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.

Yes but the bleaching agents won't be and that is what you need as well as the high temperature to help keep the pipes etc clean and clear. Much of the smells etc come friom places you can't see on your machine

My machine's manual recommends a maintenance wash using bio powder as did my old Hotpoint

If you do lots of sub 40degree washing then more regular maintenance washes should be done

[Deleted User]

I had that problem a few weeks ago, I tried 90 degrees cycles, bleach, nothing worked. So I had the seal changed (£20 for the part plus labour), it looked disgusting. I then run a hot wash with a washing machine detergent as recommended by the engineer.

Smell and dirt all gone! :j I was told to use the detergent every 3-4 weeks to keep the machine clean. Hope this helps.

Dognobs

My machine tells me 'hygine wash' I used to get smelly machines I now have a old towel I throw in once a week at 95. NO DETERGENT if you live in a hard water area. You will find there is loads still in the machine. THIS WAS RECOMENDED BY MIELE

CKdesigner

Hi

The problem is I think that rarely people read the instruction manuals on their new washing machines. There will be a section on maintenance, just need to read it and do what it says. Generally it will be the hottest wash (ideally 95 degrees) every 2 to 4 weeks with nothing in the drum and with a usual powder detergent.

I would say your washing machine instruction book is the most important appliance manual to read and understand because the way machines wash today is very different to the way they did just 15 years ago.

CK

Yorkie1

Whilst not disagreeing with you, my Bosch w/m manual doesn't contain anything like that - it's a bit pants really.