Cleaning a washing machine

zudecke

Hi guys,

Living in London, I would expect to be exposed to probably the hardest water in the UK!

It certainly seems to be the case as my washing machine is starting to smell rather stale and moldy, with clothes smelling of damp mold rather than the washing liquid I'm using!

Aside from cleaning the lint filter and detergent tray, what do you guys recommend I do to sort out the stale smells?

Cheers,
Z

Nickitree30

Hi, try running it empty on it's hottest wash with a cupfull of vinegar. If you have any essential oils at home add about ten drops to the vinegar although this isn't necessary. I like lemon as it's fresh smelling as well as antibacterial but any other will do.:)

zudecke

Okay.. So a cupful of white vinegar into where? I have a dteergent tray with 3 sections.. I don't know what's supposed to go in which section?

Or perhaps in the drum itself?

Barneysmom

I get this from Tesco's and it's quite good.

http://www.tesco.com/superstore/xpi/9/xpi64207459.htm

zudecke

Cheers...

Crickey though..

I've heard of vinegar, soda crystals, lemon juice, bleach and now this dr david backham stuff!

Mind is gonna blow out on me here... I wish there was a definitive answer lol!

*miaomiao*

Turn your washing machine to the hottest wash normal wash (not the eco or energy saving wash) and add in some bio detergent (you want the enzymes so don't use non-bio) and some bleach. Be sure the machine is empty of laundry.This is called a service wash and is recommended by most manufacturers to keep the machine functioning properly.

Run the machine 1x. Following this do the same, but omit the bleach and use soda crystals (1 cup) instead. You should find soda crystals in the same aisle as laundry detergent in the supermarket. Your machine should be good and clean now. Do take a cloth and wipe down the door inside and the seal.

Remove the detergent drawer, soak it in the sink with some bleach. Scrub this with a toothbrush to remove mildew and then wipe inside of drawer with a cloth with some bleach on it. Remove all the black and pink/orange gunk.

If you do this about 1x a month and stop using laundry conditioner/softener and leave the door and drawer open to dry between washings, your machine should stop smelling.

When I've moved somewhere with a different washing machine, I have found it useful to do an internet search for the manual for my particular machine. It will help you to know not only the settings to wash on, but also how to check the filter/lint trap.

officeguru

I would assume the other posters are meaning you to put the vinegar or whatever into the detergent tray where you would put the powder.... They are also giving you a selection of cleaners that you might already have in the house so that you don't have to buy anything special... Have you tried removing the detergent tray and looking inside the slot??? You might find that it is black with mould... especially if you look towards the top (where the water runs into the tray... If it does have mould... I use a strong disposable cloth (like plenty) dipped in bleach and clean the worst off...Using cleaner cloths as I go... I then take an old toothbrush and use that to get the cloth into 'difficult to reach' parts... I have my washing machine in the basement so I don't have to close the door when not in use... That's what causes the mould to build up....

I hope this helps

I see miaomiao has posted just before me and answered your question....

Cheers

zudecke

Cheers guys n gals.

Will give these a run..

Let you know!

Pink.

Hi zudecke,

These threads should give you more ideas:

Cleaning a washing machine

Ewww my washing machine STINKS

how to clean mildewy rim on washing machine?

cleaning washing machine drawer

I'll add your thread to the first link later to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

sb44

I read on a forum that an engineer suggested using the vinegar on the hottest wash but turning off the spin.

Does anyone else do that?