To think I need a new washing machine?

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

Despite my best efforts to clean my machine (soda crystals on 95 degree empty wash etc) my washing is regularly coming out with bits of ginger stick to it. I use bio washing stuff, switched to powder tablets, 40 or 60 degree wash, but this is still happening.

Why?? Do you think I just need a new machine? Don't know how old this one is, must be at least 10 years.

[ToadOfSadness]

I run mine on the hottest wash with half a bottle of white vinegar to stop any black gunk. New machine this year and never had gunk in any of the old ones until we got this one then noticed some building up in the door seal so:

I dry the little dip in the door seal, leave the door open, leave the detergent drawer open and alternate between powder and liquid, never use anything pre-measured and use as little detergent as possible.

I regularly use vinegar and empty boil washes and make sure the drawer is clean, and don't use fabric conditioner.

I have no black gunk.

[MatildaTheCat]

Firstly make sure the seal is absolutely clean- any mould can be cleaned off with bleach. Secondly make sure you aren’t overloading the machine as apparently that can cause dirty marks.

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

See, even with a scoop, I would make a bit of a mess, and I have terrible dermatitis, so would have to use gloves, so that's why I avoid it. It's better than gungy shirts though 

Thanks, folks, so helpful!

[YetAnotherUser]

I was using Ariel liquid before

Bet that's the biggest part of the problem! Liquid detergent is the primary cause of gunge in my experience.

Switch to the loose powder (use a scoop as pp suggest), wash whites on the highest temperature with vinegar instead of softener... It'll clear up after a while I bet.

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

@MereDintofPandiculation I have had a good clean in that bit, and you're right, it was full of gunk - but I had only done it a few weeks ago, so a bit fed up that it has built up again so soon.

[Almostthere15]

Do a properly empty maintenance wash on as hot as your machine will go. It could be a build up of detergent? You'll be amazed how soapy it will be.

As others have said powder seems to be better on machines than liquid. Also try and leave the door and drawer open (at the very least after a wash) so the machine has time to dry.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

I'm in a soft water area and use about half as much powder as is recommended for a hard water area. Easier not to spill if you use a scoop - shaking the box gently over the powder tray just doesn't work!

Instead of the 95deg empty wash, I do a 90 deg towel wash with a capful of Milton in the fabric conditioner tray. Might as well put that hot water to some use!

Also check round the rubber seal - not the easy to see bit, but lift it up where it fits snug against the drum and run a cloth round - that's a prime place for a build up of black mould.


Washing machines die because of major component malfunction, they don't just start crumbling, so I wouldn't have thought the gunk was necessarily a result of the age.

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

I was using Ariel liquid before. I don't really like the powder, cos I'm quite clumsy, and it would get everywhere. But I might have to resort to it. Why does this never happen to my mum's machine? 

[YetAnotherUser]

What kind of detergent have you used? I see you're using tablets, what have you tried in the past?

I think loose powder is better for preventing gunk.

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

Oh, too much?? I guess that could be it - I live in a soft water area, so could probably get away with less.

[Nellyelora]

At 10 years it is old but my new machine was doing this. Apparently the cause is using too much washing powder, when I cut down it did stop.

I run Zoflora through my machine every few weeks which seems to help (assume any disinfectant will work!)

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

Oh Christ, I mean gunge, not ginger.