Cleaning a washing machine

VickyA_2

I've tried to do this when I wash the towels and anything else when I remember. Goodness only knows what it looks like inside as I've only just started doing it. Having said that, it is a very old machine but has lasted longer than my mum's new machine. ;D

scorpio_biker

Hi,

I use anti limescale balls in my washine machine & dishwasher. These stop the limescale building up in the first place. My washing machine is new so I can't comment on that, but the element in my dishwasher is certainly clear.

Heres the link if anyones interested
http://www.ecozone.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=317 (if I got that right)

I don't have any connection, just think that (surprisingly) it works

16011996

thanks for that, i will have a look.

shays_mum

On what temp?, in empty drum?

fredsgirl

So let me get this straight I can use white vinegar on it's own and run a wash prog in an empty machine OR I can use white vinegar as a fabric softener
and either way my machine will sparkle thanks everyone you probably saved me some dough

Claudie

I keep forgetting to run vinegar through the washer, thanks for that!

I do take off the shower head every now and then and soak it in a bit of vinegar overnight. Comes up just like new. I saw Kim and Aggie clean some taps by using kitchen roll soaked in vinegar; they used elastic bands to keep the kitchen roll on overnight, taps were like new as soon as they took off the paper towel.

There is probably a vinegar thread I should be looking for :O)

Bossyboots

You can use brown vinegar, even in a whites wash.

I put a large splash in with the powder and another one in the fabric softener draw, every wash.

Every few weeks I put a cupful in and run the machine empty on the hottest wash.

I would offer one word of caution to anyone going to start this. After just a few weeks of using the vinegar my machine stopped pumping. This was because all the shifted limescale was clogging up the pipes. We had to take out all our kitchen plumbing to remove the plugs of limescale and we also had to clean out the pipes on the washing machine. A few weeks later it did it again. Since then, it has been fine and the machine now smells fresh all the time, even if I haven't done any washing for a couple of days. Before it would start to smell. Our other pipework stays fresh as well now. If you have been using Calgon before you should be okay but if you are about to start, be alert to any signs of problems so you can nip them in the bud.

gijsanne

I once spoke to an engineer for Miele washing machines, and he said that the best way to keep your machine clear of lime scale was to run it on a 95 degree cycle ( with powder ) once a month. He said you don't need any special de-scaling products. I have been doing this for about seven years now and it appears to work perfectly.
You can put any suitable items ( e.g. towels) in with this at the same time.

Talitha

Hi,
I've been lurking for a while but only just registered - so thanks for all the fab tips I've picked up so far.
What I'm wondering is does anyone know something good for cleaning out the inside of your washing machine? We have soft water here so no problem with limescale but the drawer gats really gunked up and as for inside where the drawer goes when you look down :eek: Sometimes my washing comes out covered in gunk which I'm guessing is clogging up the inside of the machine.
What would you suggest?
Thanks.

redballoon_2

I do an empty wash, with no powder/liquid and put it on the hottest setting to flush it out.