Do you need to do a hot wash sometimes?

NeverTooLate

greensalad said:

My washing machine repair man told me you should. I do bedsheets and towels on a 90 degree wash anyway so that solved that. He said no need for a drum clean wash if you're doing that regularly. Also he said to do that wash with powder instead to clear out as I normally use gel.

Washing machine repair man told me the same. He said there is descaler in most of the washing powders but it's only activated on high temps, so don't waste money on calgon etc just do a hot wash every now & then. Put himself out of a job as I haven't called him out since and the zanussi machine is now 22 years old 

KxMx

I've also had this advice from an engineer - periodic hot wash while empty, using bio powder in the drum. 

KxMx

Yes I am in England, our water locally is classed as very hard. 

B0bbyEwing

comperinha said:

I've never done this because I always leave the door open, so that the gunk doesn't build up in the first place. Leaving the door open means it will deprive the gunk of moisture to grow on your rubber seal.

Interesting because we also leave our door open yet the rubber does turn black.

And we're not in a hardwater area before that one gets suggested.

Apodemus

My understanding is that part of the problem is the build-up of detergent residue, which is less likely to be cleared by a hot wash alone or a hot wash with more detergent.  While bio is an interesting suggestion, vinegar also helps remove a detergent residue (with a side benefit on lime-scale where that applies) - which is why I go for the hot wash with vinegar approach.

greensalad

comperinha said:

This "washing repair man" advice comes from England? Not Scottish soft water areas?

Yes, South East. Water hardness is "very hard" according to maps.