How to keep washing machine sparkley?

[lolalotta]

Hello, so we are moving house next week and are about to invest in our first ever washing machine!!! (All our previous ones have come with the houses we have rented and have been a bit manky.) So I was just wondering does anyone have any tips for keeping it in tip top condition and good working order, nice and clean and non smelly/ mouldy seal etc? We live in a hard water area which I know complicates things!

I realised that regular hot washes are a good way to keep your washing machine very clean. I wash the cloths at 90 deg regularly and machine is still sparkly at 18 months. On my first machine I only ever washed at 30 deg and ended up getting grey soapy marks on the washing and mould in the drawer. However I don't have hard water so will leave that to the experts.

Thank you for your reply! Does it shrink the clothes or anything like that to use a hot wash now and again?

I only do the cleaning cloths and bibs at 90. Clothes, towels and bedding are at 30 or 40 depending on what the labels say. I guess I do a 90 wash about once a fortnight.

Regular 60 washes certainly. I also do 95 once every few weeks. Powder,no gel or liquids,not too much fabric conditioner.

Every 3-4 mths do a 90 degree wash with no clothes in it & a cup of soda crystals in the drum.
Use liquid instead of powder.
Keep the door open & wipe inside of the drum to stop mould.
Pull the drawer out & clean regularly.

Oh & at end of the cycle leave door open to dry out. That will help to prevent mould.

Biological powder if you can use it also helps.

No fabric conditioner and a 90deg teatowel wash once a month

You do the 90 degree wash with no clothes in the machine.

Now I'm a bit confused wether to use powder or liquid... :-S

I personally use liquid and out it directly on the clothes. The drawer is then always clean and there is never a blockage in that area.

Oh now I love my fabric conditioner but when we (eventually) save up for our Miele washer/dryer I don't want a manky drawer

Definitely power. Bold is best as it is clay based (research has shown not many are and it avoids build up).

Use a 90 wash on towels once a week as it keeps the machine free of mould and wipe round the rubber seal inside the door regularly.

Dh used to be an engineer for washing machines :)

Thanks Fairy, that's handy to know!

So do you have to use a Bio powder when you do the 90 degree wash?

Once a month put a cup of soda crystals through a 90 wash, followed by a cup of white vinegar on a 90 wash.

Use whichever detergent, powder or liquid, you like as the soda crystals will totally remove any build up and the white vinegar will remove any hard water limescale build up. If the drawer gets grubby bang it in the dishwasher or wash in the sink in no time.

Always leave the door ajar to prevent musty smells and mould.

I've been doing this for ten years and my machine still looks, smells and works like new.

Also adding a tablespoon of soda crystals to your detergent in a hard water area cuts down the amount you need as it softens the water.