Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Help! My washing machine is making clothes/sheets more dirty!

14 replies

PossetFeatures · 27/05/2011 13:28

...therefore i'm guessing it needs cleaning!

I've just washed the bedsheets and instead of coming out lovely and white they have dirty streaks across them that weren't there before Sad Angry

I have run my finger around the rim, and there does seem to be an element of scum (have nasty feeling it's grot from DPs football kit and DSs pooed on clothes)

How do I go about cleaning my washing machine? I've heard white vinegar might be good, is this true? Any advice very much appreciated!

OP posts:
GandTiceandaslice · 27/05/2011 13:31

you need white vinegar & soda crystals.
I put white vinegar in the fabricx softener but, to the top. And soda crystals in both the drawer sections.

I then run the machine on the longest, hottest wash.

GandTiceandaslice · 27/05/2011 13:31

I'm sorry, I didn't preview Blush
"fabric softener bit"

deemented · 27/05/2011 13:32

It sounds like you may need to do a maintenace wash. I do one at least once a month as i use cloth nappies on my youngest two and like to know that the machines clean.

I use a scoop of soda crystals in the drawer of the machine, and a scoop in the drum too. The put it on a hot 90 degree wash. Then when that's done i ut it on a rise cycle.

You might also want to check the rubber on the inside of your machine - give that a good scrub too and it'll work wonders.

Seona1973 · 27/05/2011 19:17

do you use powder or liquid? I had more problems with dirty streaks when I used liquid and switched to powder instead. I would do the hot wash suggested above and clean the rubber seal and the dispenser drawer (it should be able to be removed to clean) - dont forget the bit the drawer fits into as it gets manky too.

Original poster
PossetFeatures · 27/05/2011 22:33

I've been using powder lately as there was an offer on in Tesco's but normally use the liquid tabs.

Thanks for your advice Smile Where can I buy white vinegar and soda crystals from then? I went to Waitrose today and they had nothing of the sort Sad- I even looked in the vinegar section and just saw white wine vinegar but i'm guessing that's not what i'm looking for? Confused I did look in the cleaning section too in case you're wondering! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
PossetFeatures · 27/05/2011 22:34

I've just realised how many smileys i've used- not cool!

OP posts:
hellymelly · 27/05/2011 22:36

yes,a boil wash on empty every four weeks.Clean the scum out now,it gathers in the door seal and gets on the sheets as you pull them out. When its clean run a boil wash with biological powder,I would do a second to help clear gungey pipes,and then make sure you keep it up.Glad I read this as I need to do mine!

PurveyorOfBaloney · 27/05/2011 22:39

Soda crystals from most supermarkets, or Robert Dyas or most hardware stores. White vinegar also at supermarkets, get mine from Sainsbos or Waitrose. You can get it online too - but in big quantities.

Do you live in a hard water area? If so I'd recommend shoving in a packet of limescale remover when you do a maintenance wash.

Original poster
PossetFeatures · 28/05/2011 09:38

Hmmm not sure if we live in a hard or soft water area Blush- will endeavour to find out!

I emptied a packet of limescale remover in yesterday and it seems to have worked for now. The drawer that you put powder/fabric softener in is currently soaking in boiling water in the sink to get rid of scum.

Hellymelly I think you're right that the scum was on the door, as ran a paper towel over it and same scum that was on the sheets came off on that so have now properly cleaned it.

Thanks for all your advice- I will try not to be such a washing machine slattern in future!

OP posts:
hellymelly · 28/05/2011 23:40

I called the engineer about about mine,so learned the hard way how to clean it! Eco powder is great,obviously,but you need the planet trashing stuff for the monthly boil wash.

BelfastAnnie · 12/05/2015 19:50

I cleaned my machine last week with bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar, although it was causing no problem. First white wash since and the towels and t-shirts came out filthy and streaked with nasty black slime for the first time ever. How has the cleaning caused the problem instead of solving it (not that there was a problem in the first place). I should have left well alone it seems.

wowfudge · 12/05/2015 21:50

Vinegar used with bicarb - which isn't the same as soda crystals (sometimes called washing soda) will cancel each other out. One is acid and the other alkali. There's quite possibly a load of gunge somewhere in the machine was has been dislodged by the wash you did.

rabbit123 · 13/05/2015 14:38

Our old Hotpoint did this. Even after cleaning it out, it continued to leave black streaks on things.

As it turned out, the drum bearings were failing and leaking oil into the drum on the spin cycle. Had to get a new washer as you can't replace the bearings on most washers now.

The way to check this is to turn the drum by hand. If it's tight and turns smoothly, the bearings are fine. If the drum rocks backwards and forwards a lot and the drum rubbles and feels like it's grinding as you turn it, the bearings are going and the machine will need to be replaced

Ayosdad · 27/05/2016 07:36

The soda crystals and 90C wash did the job. Whites came out clean!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page