Cleaning a washing machine

squeaky

Soda in the powder tray.

Vinegar too.


See this thread for how why:-

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=324119

Robothell

Erm, maybe I'm being stupid here but the bits that clog up and smell in the washing machine are the outlets from the drum and the filter, so surely it doesn't matter if you stick the stuff in the drum or the drawer as it ends up in the same place anyway. Logic would say to stick it in the drawer as it'll follow the course of the washing powder and help clear the inlets.

squeaky

Yes, I've said to stick it in drawer to then get taken into the drum to get your machine clean first - there's always some gunk and or scale in there, and then it gets flushed through all the pipework which, you are right, is often the smelliest bit.

Robothell

squeaky wrote:

Yes, I've said to stick it in drawer to then get taken into the drum to get your machine clean first - there's always some gunk and or scale in there, and then it gets flushed through all the pipework which, you are right, is often the smelliest bit.

Sorry Squeaky, had just scanned through the post and hadn't read through it fully.:o

Gingernutmeg

Sorry to revive an old thread but I just wanted to say that I gave this a go today ... and I'm really impressed with the results I've never actually seen the inside of the machine so sparkly, and the water is now flushing through all of the drawers properly as opposed to 'dribbing out' like it used to.

Only problem was that it smelt terrible ... a combination of hot washing machine, vinegar, and gunk - the kitchen smelt like a sweaty old shoe for a while, and the boyfriend was not happy lol. This is probably something you should do when you're on your own, on a day when you can open the windows *writes note to self*. I'm happy now though - I have a lovely clean stink free washing machine!

saveumcowboy

Is it white vinegar and soda crystals I need? If so how much and does anyone know if lidls sell white vinegar and soda crystals.

Thank you

rosy

I just put a cupful of soda crystals in the drum, and fill the conditioner compartment with vinegar, then run it without any washing in at 90 degrees. Sorry I don't know if Lidl's have the vinegar or soda crystals though. I've bought my soda crystals from Tesco if that's any help, they were just over 50p for a packet I think.

Fritha_2

I do the same as Rosy but run the machine on 60 degrees rather than 90, I also put the soda crystals in the drawer rather than the drum!

I also use normal Tesco value malt vinegar in my washer and haven't found there to be any side effects for this (if you use vinegar instead of fabric ocnditioner tho you need white else it can make your clothes a bit brown!)


I'm afraid I don't know if Lidl sells them sorry, but again, like Rosy, I get mine from Tesco, all the big supermarkets seem to have them so if Lidl don't you can always pop to one of the others?

achtunglady

Don't forget to take out the soap dispenser drawer out and scrub the top where the water jets are as they can get gunky and accumulate black mouldy stuff, I use a spray bleach and an old washing up brush to reach it. Then wash the soap dispenser in hot water scrubbing off any powder/liquid residue.

cottel7

I don't think it is too bad but I suspect that my washing machine needs de-calcifying.
Are there any tell tale signs I need to look out for and how should I do it?
Is there an old style method (ie vinegar) and how do I do it?
I mainly only do cold washes and up to 30oc this is to save energy and also because I don't have anything particularly dirty to wash (no kids)!
Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks