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Your washing machine cleans your clothes, but who’s cleaning your washing machine? If you can’t remember the last time you gave it a proper scrub, that funky smell wafting from your laundry room might be your answer.
Don’t panic and start shopping for a new washer just yet. A thorough clean can sort most odour problems and get your machine running like new again.
Your nose usually tells you first, but here are the warning signs:
- Nasty pongs – Bacteria and mould love damp washing machines. They’re having a right party in there while you’re not looking.
- Slimy, dark gunk – Check around the door seal, detergent drawer, and drum. This nasty residue comes from soap scum, fabric softener build-up, and those plastic bits from washing pods.
- Stains on clean clothes – When your freshly washed clothes come out looking worse than when they went in, your machine’s definitely not doing its job.
- Limescale build-up – Live in a hard water area? Your machine’s probably clogged with mineral deposits that can cause expensive breakdowns.
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Microfibre cloth
- Old toothbrush
That’s it. No fancy products required.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with ¼ cup of water
- Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum
- Add your baking soda mixture to the detergent drawer
- Run a hot wash cycle on normal load
- Follow up with a rinse cycle using clean water
- Fill the machine with hot water
- Add ½ cup of baking soda and 2 cups of white vinegar to the drum
- Run a normal wash cycle
- Follow with a cold rinse cycle
- Wipe down the inside with a microfibre cloth
That rubber gasket around your front-loader’s door? It’s basically a five-star hotel for mould and mildew.
- Dip a cloth or old toothbrush in diluted vinegar
- Scrub away all the gunk from the rubber seal
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth
Take your time here. Any leftover grime will transfer straight onto your clean clothes.
This drawer gets properly grim because it’s dark, damp, and rarely sees daylight. Perfect conditions for bacteria to throw a party.
The good news? Most drawers pop right out for easy cleaning. Scrub it with an old toothbrush and baking soda paste, or chuck it in your dishwasher if it fits.
While it’s cleaning, wipe down the drawer cavity with a damp cloth.
Your washing machine filter catches lint, tissues, and other bits that would otherwise clog your pipes. It also collects enough germs to start its own colony.
Empty this filter every two weeks. When it needs a proper clean:
- Find the emergency drain tube (check your manual if you’re lost)
- Place a bowl underneath and remove the plug
- Let all the water drain out
- Remove the filter cover
- Clean everything with a damp microfibre cloth
- Replace everything carefully
Don’t forget the exterior. Your machine works hard and deserves to look decent.
- Turn off your machine
- Spray with white vinegar, lemon juice, or all-purpose cleaner
- Let it sit for a few seconds
- Wipe down with a microfibre cloth
- Pay extra attention to knobs, buttons, and corners
If your machine still stinks after all that effort, try these stronger methods:
The Bleach Treatment
For front-loaders:
- Add 2 tablespoons of bleach to the detergent drawer
- Run the hottest cycle possible
- Repeat if needed
- Always rinse thoroughly with clean water
For top-loaders:
- Fill with hot water and add 1 cup of bleach
- Let it agitate for 10 minutes
- Drain and rinse thoroughly
Essential Oil Sanitising
Drop 10 drops of clove oil directly into the drum and run the hottest cycle. Open your windows – clove oil has a proper strong smell.
Live alone and barely use your washer? Once a month will do.
Got a house full of kids, pets, and muddy football kits? Clean it more often. Greasy, heavily soiled clothes speed up the grime build-up process.
Hard water creates limescale that can knacker your heating elements and create perfect conditions for bacteria.
Fight back with water softening tablets and detergents designed for hard water areas. Your machine will thank you.
Want to avoid future cleaning marathons? Follow these simple rules:
- Don’t overdose on detergent – More soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. It just creates more build-up and can damage your clothes and machine.
- Add water softener – Even in soft water areas, this helps prevent limescale build-up.
- Run an empty hot wash monthly – This flushes out residue before it becomes a problem.
- Rinse heavily soiled clothes first – Don’t let your machine do all the hard work. A quick rinse prevents dirt from building up inside the drum.
Sometimes your washing machine needs more than a good scrub. If you’re dealing with persistent odours, strange noises, or your machine just isn’t working properly, it might be time to call in the professionals.
Qeeper’s appliance repair and maintenance service can diagnose and fix washing machine problems quickly and efficiently. Their experienced technicians handle everything from simple maintenance to complex repairs, so you don’t have to worry about voiding your warranty or making things worse.
Why struggle with a dodgy washing machine when expert help is just a click away?
Your washing machine needs regular maintenance to work properly and last longer. You don’t need expensive cleaning products – vinegar and baking soda do the job brilliantly.
If you use bleach, be careful and always rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Can’t find time for washing machine maintenance? Consider hiring a regular cleaner who can tackle this job alongside your other household chores.
Your washing machine works hard for you every week. Show it some love with regular cleaning, and it’ll keep your clothes fresh and clean for years to come.