It is easy to assume that you don't need to clean your washing machine. We already add detergent and water, so what could go wrong?!
Well, when it begins to smell damp and mouldy, people suddenly realise a spot of cleaning is in order!
In this article, we'll explain how to thoroughly clean a washing machine and protect your clothes.
Cleaning A Washing Machine's Detergent Drawer
Detergent residue can be left behind when your washing machine rinses the detergent into the drum.
This residue, left in a warm, dark, and damp place can soon become mouldy. It is therefore essential that we regularly wash the detergent drawer to banish the mould.
Before attempting to clean your washing machine detergent drawer, be sure to consult the manual.
Some drawers are harder to remove than others so make sure you're doing it correctly. If you have already discarded your manual, try searching the manufacturer's website.
What You'll Need:
- A cleaning cloth
- An old toothbrush
- Washing up liquid
- A mould and mildew remover
How To Clean Your Detergent Draw
Follow these 7 steps to get your detergent draw sparkling clean.
- Remove the detergent drawer (following the manufacturer's instructions)
- Soak the drawer in warm water and washing up liquid for 15 minutes.
- Spray the cavity where the drawer normally sits with a small amount of mould and mildew remover.
- Use a toothbrush to scrape the residue away. Remember to do the roof of the cavity too!
- Wipe down the cavity with a
- Use the toothbrush to clean the detergent drawer.
- Rinse thoroughly and leave to air-dry before re-inserting into the washing machine.
Cleaning A Washing Machine's Rubber Seal
A good way of getting rid of the smell from your washing machine is cleaning the rubber seal.
The rubber is porous, meaning it can absorb bad smells and make them incredibly hard to shift. Also, the fold in the rubber can be a great hiding place for all kinds of nasty residue and slime build-up.
What You'll Need:
- A clean cloth
- Washing up liquid
- A bucket of warm water
Avoid using any harsh cleaners as rubber seals can degrade if an unsuitable cleaner is used.
Follow the 4 steps below to clean the rubber seal on your washing machine quickly.
How To Clean Your Washing Machine Seal
- Mix a small amount of washing up liquid in a bucket of warm water.
- Use a cloth to wipe down the visible surface area.
- Fold out the seal and make sure you thoroughly remove any residue or mould that is trapped
- Once wiped, fold the seal back.
Cleaning A Washing Machine Filter
The filter is designed to trap large debris. Sometimes, blockages can lead to your washing machine draining poorly.
Make sure to consult your manual to learn how to remove your filter correctly.
What You'll Need:
- A clean cloth
- Small tub
- A bucket of warm water
Follow these 7 steps to get your washing machine filter clean.
How To Clean A Washing Machine Filter
- Unplug your washing machine.
- Drain excess water in a small tub before removing the filter
- Pull out the filter.
- Discard any large debris into the small tub.
- Using a clean cloth dipped in warm water, gently wipe down the filter.
- Wipe the cavity that the filter came out of to ensure that there is no debris left.
- Replace the filter as instructed in the manual.
Cleaning A Washing Machine's
Drain Pipe
The drain pipe disposes of the dirty water after your wash has finished and naturally becomes a place where debris can get caught and cause a stinky blockage.
What You'll Need:
- A Drain Blocker (sometimes called an auger or drain snake)
- An old towel
How To Clean The Drain Pipe
Once you've got hold of a drain snake, follow these 7 steps to clean your drain pipe:
- Unplug your washing machine.
- Lay the old towel on the floor.
- Detach the drain hose following the manufacturer's guidelines.
- Insert the drain auger into the pipe, gently twisting it to catch debris.
- Pull the auger our and remove debris from it.
- Repeat until all debris has been removed.
- Reattach the drain hose.
Cleaning Your Washing Machine's Drum
You put all of your clothes into the drum of your washing machine, so it makes sense to make sure that it is clean and free from dirt.
We have put this step last, as the process of cleaning the drum can also help rinse the entire system which is beneficial following a deep clean.
What You'll Need:
- 500g packet of soda crystals
If you don't have any soda crystals, you can use a cup of white wine vinegar or a cleaner designed specifically for cleaning washing machines such as Duzzit.
How To Clean The Drum
Follow these 3 simple steps to clean your washing machine drum with soda crystals:
- Add the soda crystals to the drum.
- Run the hottest cycle possible (or a maintance cycle is there is one)
- Once finished, open the door and leave until the drum has dried out.
Here is a good video showing how to clean with soda crystals.
How Often Should I Clean My Washing Machine?
Many people online ask about the frequency of cleaning their washers.
As we discussed in this blog post, cleaning helps prevent bacteria from growing inside and helps keep everything sanitary.
Many new washing machines do have a maintenance wash, and manufacturers recommend you run this at least once a month.
It's also recommended that you run a hot wash at least once a week, perhaps when you do your bedding or towels for hygiene reasons. This will help keep the build-up of laundry detergent residue to a minimum.
Leaving your washing machine door and detergent drawer open between washes will also help to keep mould growth to a minimum.
We would recommend that you clean your filter once every month or two months to ensure it continues to work efficiently. The drain pipe only really needs to be tackled if you can't get your washing machine to drain.
We hope you have found this guide helpful. Hopefully, any mystery smells coming from your washing machine have now been banished, and your laundry smells fresh and clean -just like it should!
