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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

How do you look after your washer?

32 replies

soppypreggyloon · 08/04/2011 18:49

after rescuing mine from an £80 engineer visit today I have realised I do naff all to prolong it's life.
Do you do things to make it live longer/ work better?

What???

Don't really want to fork out for new one after less than 6 years.

OP posts:
DonaAna · 08/04/2011 19:20

I run it in its hottest setting (90 C) regularly. The repairman recommended this.

Seona1973 · 08/04/2011 22:39

clean the filter/dispenser drawer and do a hot wash regularly. Wipe round the glass door bit occasionally and also wipe the rubber seal

jezebelle · 08/04/2011 22:43

Clean out the drawer regularly and once a month run a 90 wash with soda crystals or white vinegar in to clean it, i occasionally use water softener tablets too :)

Original poster
soppypreggyloon · 09/04/2011 19:46

Ok so to amend my original post the washer is actually dead! It spewed water all over the floor today and will be £125+ to get engineer!!!

So any other tips to make sure I don't waste my £ and ruin my new Bosch one?

:)

OP posts:
mumdrivenmad · 13/04/2011 10:57

I put half the same size scoop that I use for washing powder of soda crystals in every wash, and have no scale buildup in a hard water area. I also do my whites on a 90 deg wash, and have never found it to smell. My machine is 6 years old now, and my last one lasted 9 years.

WelliesAndPyjamas · 13/04/2011 10:59

Where do you get soda crystals?

stream · 13/04/2011 11:00

Run it on empty at hottest setting once a month - think it's 95.

vintageteacups · 14/04/2011 21:59

Don't whatever you do buy an Indesit Moon!

They were being investigated on Watch Dog tonight and have an awful mould problem.

southeastastra · 14/04/2011 21:59

i hug it

2BoysTooLoud · 14/04/2011 22:05

Got black mould problem in seal and am going to stop using liquid wash stuff and do monthly hot cycle. Machine 7 years old and maybe on last legs. Fed up cos broke. Can't get rid of black stain of mould either. Live and learn [always make my own mistakes tho rather than learning from others!].

vintageteacups · 14/04/2011 22:11

My mould problem only started when, after years of non-bio powder, I swapped to bio- liquid. The problem started almost immediately.

Now have changed back to powder and the washing doesn't smell at all.

myhouseWILLbecleanthisyear · 14/04/2011 23:37

Oooh Ive got mould on my seal. Have tried to remove it a bit. Am slightly worried about it now :( Ive had it for 3 years. Its not too bad, but would like it to go and dont want it to grow. Will have to keep an eye out. I use tablets that go in the tray bit and comfort stuff (I actually use the shops own brand) as well. Any ideas what i could try? I tried scrubbing it today, but it is still there.

SlightlyB0nkers · 15/04/2011 11:12

How do you clean the filter? I've never done anything to maintain my washing machine either. These tips sound like something I should be doing too.

vintageteacups · 15/04/2011 18:56

You shoudl do the filter regularly; take off the front of the filter and put a large shallow tray underneath or container to catch the water in - there will be quite a lot. DH does ours roughly every 3-6 months.

myhouseWILLbecleanthisyear · 15/04/2011 21:07

Where is the filter? Blush

Original poster
soppypreggyloon · 15/04/2011 21:13

Think it's at the front. My new one has a little door at the front at the bottom.
My old one had no obvious place to look/ find the filter. Check the manual- if you need to access it the manual will tell you how.

OP posts:
myhouseWILLbecleanthisyear · 15/04/2011 21:19

hahaha as if I have the manual.

Will look online later to see if I can download one, not that I know what washer I actually have. God Im terrible.

Original poster
soppypreggyloon · 15/04/2011 21:35

No I lost mine too!
Model no should be written in the front or maybe on the inside of the door.
Tbh if it's not obvious where the filter is then I'd guess it's not meant to be messed with IMO. :)

OP posts:
vintageteacups · 15/04/2011 21:36

I think on one of our's, we had to remove the whole front bottom panel to see the filter door so it may not be too obvious but it'll still need doing.

BubblesMyBubbles · 15/04/2011 21:43

Dont use Liquid detergents, always powder, straight into the drum not the drawer.
Use 1/3 of the manufacturers recommendations of powder, you dont need to use what they say its all a load of twaddle to get you to buy more, and it clogs up your machine and clothes.
Once a month use a pint of soda crystals in the drum on a boil wash, followed immediately by a bottle of white vinegar on the same setting.
This will remove all scum and remove limescale too.
If its still a bit smelly afterwards then try a small capful of bleach on a boil wash. but this will not remove the soap scum/limescale that the SC and vinegar will.

8 years and no repair job yet :)

vintageteacups · 15/04/2011 21:58

I'm copying and pasting that into my files bubbles.

GandTwithLime · 15/04/2011 22:27

Where do you buy soda crystals from? The supermarket, in the laundry aisle? Is it just a box that says 'soda crystals' - I don't remember ever seeing them. Sorry for sounding so dumb!

onadietcokebreak · 15/04/2011 22:30

Yes Laundry aisle. Normally bottom shelf

GandTwithLime · 15/04/2011 22:40

Right, I'll have a look next time I go and start using them in the machine on a maintenance wash. Thanks!

purpleknittingmum · 15/04/2011 22:46

I often get soda crystals from Wilkinsons

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