Cleaning a washing machine

[Alfiemoon1]

Just taken my whites out and they have dirty marks on that weren't there before. Best tips for cleaning my washing machine please

Soda crystals, added generously to the drawer and run machine on the hottest longest cycle. We use this method to clean our machines in our launderette.

I do a maintenance wash every few weeks - I know that once per month is often the recommendation.

I use about an eggcup's worth of bleach in the detergent dispenser, then run the hottest wash possible. Does the trick.

Sorry to hijack...
My washing machine absolutely stinks inside the drum. Have checked filter and run several service washes with a industrial cleaner. The smell seems to go then reappears with avengence.

Have also scrubbed the drawer and inside that space.

It's driving me made; any ideas of what to do would be much appreciated!

Sorry again!!

Soda crystals again Summerhols, followed by long hot wash with white wine vinegar!

Summerhols are you using liquid detergent or tabs rather than powder? Liquids don't contain bleaching agents so your machine doesn't get cleaned out in the same way as with powder.

summerholsdreamin Do you normally use laundry liquid, and do you only do low temperature washes?

If the answer to both or either is yes, then ditch the laundry liquid and replace it with washing powder, and run a few high temperature washes.

If you can't use bio powder you need to run a maintenance wash every month using bleach or something that will kill the mould spores.

This website explains why your washing machine smells.

Always powder and most washes on 60. Sometimes I do put the powder directly into the drum - could that make a difference?

Do you use bio powder?

Yes bio powder

Do you leave the door and drawer open when the machine is not in use summer?

Do you leave the door and drawer open when the machine is not in use summer?

wowfudge makes some good points. I always remove the drawer and clean it after every wash, and leave the door open.

Yes I leave both the door and drawer open

I soda crystal on a 95 degree wash.

Then add Zoflora to a towel only cycle once a month.

I keep the door ooen & use Bio powdee. All seems good & machine is 15 years old.

Soda crystals on shopping list!

Think have white wine vinegar and zoflora already

Tupperware.... do you always put the powder in the drawer or directly in drum (someone told me it is better clean if it goes in drum?)

Also do you use softener? I find that doesn't help with buildup.

Summer - check the door seals, if you pull them right back there is often grey smelly gunk behind them.

I put a bit in the drawer & a bit in the drum.

No softener.

When I do the 95 degree wash (I put it on a quick cycle to save water) there are loads & loads of bubbles from old build up.

An old toothbrush around the door seals very occasionally too.

"I put it on a quick cycle to save water"

This might be the cause of the problem.