Easy to clean Washing Machine

OptimisticAbby

My washing machine is uneconomical to repair so it’s time for a new one. My question is - what would you recommend? I am particularly concerned about it being easy to keep clean, to avoid dank smells. I chose a self dosing model last time thinking that this might help, it didn’t. The dosing drawer is still needed for fabric conditioner etc. The housing and the drawer are a pain to clean (I’ve even resorted to an electric toothbrush on the “ceiling” of the housing). Does anyone have a simple washing machine that they find easy to clean and maintain? 

This feels like a “right to repair” adjacent issue. Any thoughts? 

elsien

I have never had a problem with keeping the washing machine, clean, self cleaning or not. Mine have been the cheaper end of the spectrum.

Take the drawer out if you need to once in awhile to clean it, if it looks like it’s building up maybe do it a bit more regularly. 

Leave the washing machine door slightly ajar and then you don’t get any dank smells. My washing machine does have a deep clean setting on it which I use every couple of months or so when I put some soda crystals in, run the 90° temperature and it’s fine.

SaverRate

I have a Bosch Serie 4 washing machine and I do a bicarb & vinegar clean each month and clean the filter out, takes 10 mins for me plus the time the machine does the clean wash.

I Would recommend Bosch.

Although I use Dettol anti bac laundry cleanser rather than fabric softener so my drawer never gets coated in the fabric softener remains and doesnt go mouldy etc. 

sarah1972

I don’t use the drawer in my washing machine as I use pods. I leave the door ajar so it never smells and once a month I run a 90 degree wash. 

Never found keeping a washing machine clean a problem.

I recommend Miele 

prettyandfluffy

I don't often put detergent in the drawer, I put it in the drum with the washing.  Using powder clogs the machine less than liquid or pods - I use either depending on the laundry.

born_again

Avoiding smells is down to leaving door & draw open after taking washing out so that moisture inside can escape. Our draw may get a once a year clean, but is never that bad.
Door seals get wiped out, as we have dogs & need to get their hair out.
You need to take a couple of mins after the last wash of the day to stop mould & smells.

Samsung here & 6 years old still as good as new. 

OptimisticAbby

Just for clarity- I am not looking for advice about cleaning the machine. I am fully tooled up with all that incl taking the drawer out, and leaving it out between uses, keeping the door open when not in use, regular high temp cleaning cycles etc. I am hoping that someone may have knowledge of a machine with a simple design that doesn’t have nooks and crannies that are difficult to wipe and is easy to access to clean. 

elsien

Have to be honest, I’m not sure what nooks and crannies you are finding difficult to access? 

OptimisticAbby

My current Miele has complex jets, flanges etc in the drawer housing that are impossible to clean. I was in hope that there might be a brand with easy to clean as a design ambition. 

carly

OptimisticAbby said:

My current Miele has complex jets, flanges etc in the drawer housing that are impossible to clean. I was in hope that there might be a brand with easy to clean as a design ambition. 

I agree with you about the nooks and crannies . In my machine (  a self dosing Bosch)  the roof of the drawer compartment gets black and grimy.  It can only be down to the impurities in the incoming water supply.  I dry this after every wash but the only way to clean the water jet holes is to use a long handled toothbrush or similar. I find it infuriating as the rest of the machine  ( and the detergent drawer itself ) is spotless and a simple wipe dry keeps it in mint condition. Whoever designed the roof of the compartment certainly never tried to clean one.

elianamartiin

I recommend True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaning Tablets. They’re eco-friendly and work great at removing odors. I use them and my washer always smells fresh. You can buy them on Amazon.