Advice needed re: Eco balls and washing machine

[Bouncingturtle]

OK have several issues.

Firstly, I've been using my Eco balls since the summer - they are fab, tackle all but the worst stains - and I just use a bit of stain remover for them.
However, last couple of weeks been getting some dark marks on my washing, especially my whites and it is getting worse! The marks seem to match the holes on the washing machine drum so I think it is the washing machine itself rather than the Eco Balls. Could I have some suggestions on how to clean my washing machine in an environmentally friendly manner? Last time I cleaned it I used a proprietary cleaner but would like to use something which perhaps I could make at home?
Also I don't think I can get the screws out of my Eco Balls to refill them! Any suggestions?
One more question! I use Ecover laundry bleach in my nappy pail (I use cotton prefolds) and a bit in the machine for whites washes. What else could I use to whiten and remove stains from my whites? Ds is breast fed so nappies are often stained yellow from his poo (sorry if TMI!) and I find the laundry bleach very effective on removing the stains but wondered if there was a more home grown solution?
TIA

Anyone?

Bump?

er not sure sorry but didnt want you to feel you were being ignored!still it will bump it for you again if nothing eslse.

btw i cant get the screws out of mine to refiull them either.

Cheers belcant, hopefully someone will come along to solve both our problems!

you can get stuff called ciricidal from chemist and online and healthfood shops (its a natural product) that kills any mould. Seems to shift any black marks too though you may find you get left with a permanent mark on the rubber but it won't be live mould if you get what I mean. I learnt about this from another mn post and put a big squirt in an empty wash to clean the machine. Expect the next wash to be a bit manky though while the gunge comes out. I found it very effective.

opps citricidal even.

Thanks, Lailasmum - I'll give that a try!

We've had this, and now don't use eco balls quite so often.

The black marks are mould, I'm afraid.

What we did was:

use some of this

switch to Surcare POWDER for whites and do one wash at 60 degrees a week

remove the pull-out drawer from machine after use and leave it out of machine with door open to let air get through

we've been ok for the last few months.

by the way you can use a couple of drops of citricidal with every wash if you want, stops the mould building up in the first place. It will also kill any bugs that get in your nappies which is a bonus.