How to Clean your Washing Machine

Good Laundry - starts by cleaning the washing machine.

We run regular cleaning programmes on the dishwasher, to make sure internal filters are clean and fresh, but most of us forget about the washing machine until there is a problem.

Either the machine has a problem draining, or it smells noticeably fusty, or worse, clothes leaving the machine have a rancid odour to them.

Did you know the most common reason for a machine not draining or progressing its programme to rinse properly is a clogged HE filter which is a super simple fix and doesn't need you to buy a new machine. Or that if your washing machine drawer is at all mouldy that mould runs through the machine tubes all the way to the drum - meaning mould spores will be present on your washing as it leaves the machine no matter what detergents you use?

So to prevent most washing machine issues, it’s a great idea to set a calendar reminder every other month, to do these simple 10 minute cleaning tasks.

Watch our rather old but still relevant easy to follow videos below:

How to Clean the washing machine dosing drawer.

Next step: Cleaning the inside of the rubber drum seal and the door

Clean The Drum And Seal

This is a 30 second job. It’s so easy, just grab your favourite scouring cleaning product, and using a cloth, scrub the window area of the door that has attracted limescale deposits. You can use the same cloth to wipe the rubber seal on the washing machine. Pull back the rubber slightly and check for grey looking matter and lint thats trapped. Just pop it in the bin.

If you have previously used liquids and softeners and the rubber seal looks at all brown or patchy black, then there are traces of mould. Pay particular attention to the topside of the rubber and any nooks and crannies. This is the only time I would advise you use a specific mould removing product. A quick spray of a product that tackles mould and then wipe does leave the rubber looking like new again. Wash hot straight away afterwards to remove any residues that could damage the rubber.

Sanitise A Dirty Washing Machine

If you have neglected your washing machine and the dosing drawer has gunk in it, then all local chemists sell household strength hydrogen peroxide liquid which is perfect for sanitising your washing machine. Just make sure you do the hottest wash you can afterwards.

The ingredients in hydrogen peroxide simply reverts to oxygen and water over a period of about ten minutes which makes it a really super safe sterilising agent in the home.

De-scaling your washing machine

You need to regularly remove the limescale build up that is hidden from sight near the heating element. You can visibly see it in your kettle - well it's the same inside your washing machine. And, you can literally add 5 years of additional life to your machine by doing this regularly.

So bi-monthly remember to de-scale your machine. You can either use a purpose bought product or simply whatever vinegar you have to hand. Just bear in mind with vinegar its best put in your machine and left overnight to work as its slower. Always follow with something like a cleaning cloths wash on hot as vinegar isn't a great smell for your fabrics.

The Drain

Lastly but not least! The most important step for good washing machine maintenance is.

Cleaning the HE Drain Hose And Filter.

Your drain hose is a little compartment usually found at the bottom right hand corner of the washing machine

This is the most overlooked part of front loader washing machines maintenance. As many as 35% of us are shocked when they first clean it as it wasn't something they had heard about. Once you locate the compartment, you need to place an old oven tray/ dish and towel on the floor in front of your machine. Then carefully open the compartment, removing the hose end cap first and hold the pipe down towards the old cooking tray. Over a few minutes this will pour dirty, stale water, and limescale particles out onto the tray. It will smell a little, this water has been sitting stagnant for a while.

Once the excess water is drained you can unscrew the main filter by turning it anti clockwise. Expect this to be covered in limescale and trapped dirt and fluff. You might be lucky and find some loose change too.

You need to scrub the filter clean and clear all the limescale. If limescale has really set on the filter, soak in a vinegar solution for an hour to loosen the calcified deposits. Using your old toothbrush scrub the inside of the area the filter fits in, and wipe out with a cloth until it’s as clean as you can get it. Re screw the filter in tightly and replace the hose end cap carefully tucking it away where you removed it from at the beginning.

Ta Dahh – you now have a wonderfully clean machine that will launder your clothes so much better than before!

Distinctive fabric and room spray review

Just a half to 1 scoop of Distinctive washing powder is all you need.

Distinctive doesn't need a stain remover or fabric softener

Fragrance oils in Distinctive Opulence on Amber

And did you know that if you start with a new machine using only powder detergent and no softener you will never have to worry about the drawer or the tubes to the drum again. Cutting out one massive problem area.

For other laundry questions email Distinctive Customer Care info@distinctivewash.co.uk

Want to read more. Go to our About page.

And remember you can subscribe to get a FREE mini 2 wash pack included with your first order.