Cleaning a washing machine

Fritha_2

The ecover website used to (before the redesign when they stopped doing tips) recommend:

Every three months run your washer on empty on a normal 60 degree wash. Add 200ml of vinegar where you'd normally put powder and it'll clean all the gunk out.

I've been doing this for about two years now and it does work, I also cleaned my friend's very gunky machine like this and she said it really made a difference to how her washer did her clothes :-)

Good luck with your washer!

Talitha

Thanks for the replies - I'll give the hot wash and vinegar a try and hope it helps.

aimeelister

Oh thanks for this. Ive been thinking recently ours might need a bit of a summer clean (bit late for a spring one) now i know what to try!

Would love to hear if it work Talitha

tawnyowls

Once it's clean, avoid using the drawer - it just gets icky and mouldy over time. Use washballs for powder/liquid (freebies advertised on the site) - I find the washing gets cleaner with less product, and the drawer & hoses stay clean.

Don't forget to clean round the door seals and the glass of the door as well; it's really horrid how much stuff collects there.

lynzpower

been wondering this myself actualy, so thanks to all tips

seraphina

I've heard that fabric conditioner can cause all the black gunk you get in the drawer, and previously I've just tried to scrape it off. Am off to do a vinegar wash so thanks for all the tips!

newleaf

My soap drawer is removable and I take it out occasionally for a good clean. Fabric conditioner is definitely the main culprit. Since I stopped using it my drawer has stayed as clean as a whistle. A hot wash cycle with a cupful of washing soda would also be a good way to flush your machine out. I agree with tawnyowls, the less product you can get away with, the better. I now make the 3 powder mix and use 50 - 60mls per full load and everything comes out perfectly clean and fresh. I've stopped using fabric softener except for a very small amount in a hand rinse for things vulnerable to clinginess (underslips, tights etc).

Essex-girl_2

Does your drawer come out?

Mine does in my machine and I soak it in a vinegar/water solution then use a scrubbing brush, I then do as others have said and run it on hot wash sometimes with vinegar, sometimes soda crystals. I usually do this once a month.

newleaf

Try pulling the drawer out as far as it will go, then lifting it up slightly (by about 45 degrees) whilst still pulling outwards. That's how mine (Zanussi) comes out.

taplady

I clean mine often as the drawer and the inside where the drawer comes out is always covered in black gunk!:eek: I take the drawer out and scub it with an old toothbrush.
I'll try the vinegar wash too, might help a bit.
The seal always gets mucky and I wiped it out recently and it was covered in gunk and mould!:eek: