Just because your washing machine cleans your clothes and makes them smell fresh, doesn’t mean it also shouldn't be cleaned from time to time. If you've recently noticed your clothes are smelling a little musty, it might be a sign that your washing machine is ready for a good clean.
Every week it works hard to banish stains from your favourite garments, as well as remove dirt and bacteria, so it’s important to use some of your top cleaning tips to make sure it gets a good cleaning once a month so it can continue doing its job well.
Luckily, cleaning your washing machine is easier than you might think, and there are plenty of products that can do the job for you. Not sure where to start? Just follow these simple steps and hacks to keep it in tip top condition.
How to clean a washing machine
While you might feel confident disconnecting your washing machine, it can be hard to know how to clean it. Any leftover fabric conditioner and detergent that’s leftover from your wash will build up over time and can lead to mold and bad smells. Here’s how you can give it a deep clean -
• Run a cleaning cycle - newer washing machine models come with a cleaning cycle where all you need to do is add some bleach. If yours doesn’t, just add ½ a cup of bleach to the dispenser and just run a normal cycle with hot water. Alternatively, you can always use a washing machine cleaner.
• Rinse and spin - once your washing machine has completed its cycle, pop it back on for another rinse and spin. This is just to make sure all the bleach has been washed away.
• Clean the dispenser draw - some washing machines have a removable dispenser draw, if yours does, take it out, pull it apart and clean it in a sink of hot water. If there’s any old build up of detergent or conditioner, just gently scrub it away with an old toothbrush. Once it has been cleaned, dry it, reassemble and pop it back into the washing machine.
• Clean the drum and rubber seal - wipe the rubber gasket clean (as mold can build up here) and make sure you dry it thoroughly too. Give the door and drum a final wipe too, then leave the door open to let it air dry.
While these steps will keep your washing machine clean, it's important to know how to clean your tumble dryer too.
Washing machine cleaners
This washing machine cleaner won't only leave your machine smelling of zesty lemons, it also removes 99.9 per cent of bacteria, works as a descaler and removes limescale. Recommended to use every two months. One reviewer said, "This product wasn't too expensive, so I gave it a try and it worked really well.” It is really easy to use, smells delightful, comes in a cute packaging and cleans effectively.
Simply pour this into the drum of your washing machine and select a 60-minute wash and it will kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria, fungi, viruses and leave your machine smelling lovely. A reviewer who has tried the product said, “After trying other brands and doing hot cycles with bleach I gave this a go. I'm sure my other attempts helped but after using this the washing stopped smelling stale as it had done before so I'm sure this helped significantly." It also leaves your machine with a refreshing lemon fragrance.
This product is great for removing limescale, dirt and residue, providing freshness, a hygienic clean and preventing odours, which makes it an effective 5-in-1 washing machine cleaner. A reviewer shared that it is easy to use as you just pour it in, turn machine to the right temperature setting and away you go. Your washing machine is sure to look sparkling clean and smell fresh afterwards.
How to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda?
If you wish to clean your washing machine with natural, chemical free products, you can use vinegar and baking soda to give it a thorough clean. It is important to keep in mind that mixing these two components can be explosive, so keep your eyes protected while using them. The explosive element is exactly what gets the cleaning done as it literally blows away dirt and grime.
You can take 1-2 cups of baking soda and pour it straight into the drum or the detergent drawer and set your washing machine for a long hot wash. This can be followed by pouring 1-2 cups of vinegar into your drum or drawer and running the machine again in a separate cycle. It is important to keep them separate as mixing the two together can lead to solidifying which could lead to blockages in your pipes. The vinegar will remove all the dirt that was lifted by the fizzing action of the baking soda.
How to clean a smelly washing machine?
1. Leave the washing machine door slightly open after each use. This will allow the air to circulate around the drum and dry out remaining moisture that can lead to damp, musty smells.
2. Remove your clean clothes soon after your wash is complete. Again, this will prevent musty odours from developing.
3. Make sure there’s no pet hair in the drum. If you have pets in your household, you’ll most likely find hair in your machine. Leave your washing machine door open until the drum is dry, once it is, go back in with a hoover using a soft end nozzle to remove the hair.
4. Regularly check the gasket is dry and free of any small items, as this can become a breeding ground for mould.
How to descale a washing machine?
Descaling your washing machine is important as use of hot water can lead to a buildup of limescale which can affect the performance of your washing machine. It can also damage your clothes. You can use a descaling product for this.
AmazonThe Active Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler comes with 24 tablets that are compatible with all types of machines and works effectively to descale, de-odorise, freshen and protect all the parts of your washing machine. This product can save you the effort of manually scrubbing the machine and it is also eco-friendly, so you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals being used in your washing machine.
However, if you want to use eco-friendly cleaning products to get the descaling done, you might find all you need in your kitchen.
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Vinegar – Pour a generous amount of natural vinegar in your washing machine and run a cycle at 90-95 degrees.
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Soda – Pour half a cup of soda into the drum and run a cycle at 90-95 degrees.
How to remove mildew from washing machine?
You can remove mildew from your washing machine by pouring half a cup of liquid chlorine bleach in your detergent dispenser drawer or pouring a cup or more of it into the washer drum and letting the machine run a large load cycle with just water and the chlorine at a warm to hot temperature setting.
How to get rid of mould from washing machine seal?
It is an unsightly but common thing to see black gunk in washing machine seals or areas around the door. The best way to get rid of this would be to use a bleach-based mould cleaner. First ensure all the surfaces of your machine is dry and then you can spray it on your seal, inside the drum or wherever you find the presence of mould. Give it some time and then use a microfibre cloth to give these areas a good wipe. Make sure you are wearing gloves while doing this.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide and wipe the surfaces 2-3 times until you can see the mould has been wiped off. Follow this by running the hottest wash cycle along with some vinegar as mentioned earlier and leave the door open after this to let the machine dry completely.
Another solution to get rid of mould is to mix equal parts warm water and vinegar. Dip a cloth into this solution and leave it on the seal or wherever you find the mould. Leave it to rest for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with a damp cloth and clean warm water.
Washing machine cleaning cycles
As well as using a washing machine cleaner, some washing machines come with specific cleaning cycles designed to give your machine a thorough clean. We spoke to Vivien Fodor, Hotpoint’s Category Manager for Laundry in the UK and Ireland, who shared how their washing machines have been made to keep your wash as hygienic as possible.
“Contrary to their primary purpose of keeping our clothes clean, washing machines can collect dirt and bacteria inside of them. Yet one in five Brits never clean their washing machines – this is partly due to a lack of awareness of needing to, and people not knowing how. To tackle this, at Hotpoint, we developed an automatic cleaning cycle that runs through our washing machines. Simply press and hold the AutoClean button for five seconds, and the machine will start a cleaning cycle - removing detergent, soap build up, chemicals and bacteria.
“Many of Hotpoint's washing machines also features an antimicrobic door seal, which prevents and protects your machine from bacteria build-up by 99 per cent*. Therefore with Hotpoint, you don‘t need to worry about cleaning your washing machine by hand, and it will work effectively for longer warding off unpleasant smells and keeping your clothes clean and fresh.”
*Certified by TUV
FAQs
Can you put bleach in washing machine?
Yes, it is okay to put bleach in the washing machine to clean it as explained earlier to get rid of mildew or mould. But keep in mind not to use it too frequently as it is a harsh substance that can damage delicate interiors.
Can you use a dishwasher tablet to clean a washing machine?
Dishwasher tablets are great for descaling your washing machine. All you have to do is put a dishwasher tablet into the empty drum and run a cycle at 90-95 degrees. But make sure to get all the residue out before putting in any clothes as dishwasher tablets have ammonia and bleach in them which is harmful for your clothes and skin.
Do washing machine cleaning tablets really work?
The washing machine cleaning products listed in our article are all highly rated by reviewers online and customers who are happy with the results of the products. Since most of them contain cleaning agents like bleach and active carbon, they are highly effective at getting rid of mould, mildew, limescale, grime and accumulated dirt.