Cleaning the washing machine - step by step instructions?!

[AliceLutherNeeMorgan]

My washing machine has had a bit of a whiff to it on occasion but this morning it definitely has a bad egg smell. I know I've seen on here about doing an empty wash, using ?bicarb of soda (or maybe vinegar?) but am not sure exactly what to do and what not to do...

Can anyone explain in simple words exactly the process to clean it all out please? I know it's going to be revolting, but hopefully worth it!

Two glasses of white vinegar in the washing powder compartment and have a cycle at your highest temperature 90 or 95 without any clothes in it.

It is not revolting, and very simple. Remember to clean with a sponge any rubber part to remove the mould or dirt stagnating.

Oh is it that simple - so I can just pour it in and let it go? That would be marvellous.

I've scrubbed out the drawer and down the back where the the liquid drops down (which was pretty manky looking but didn't actually smell); yes I'll have to go round the door seal also. It's strange actually because my 15 year old Bosch one never needed this, but this one is only 18 months old! Thanks for the info

I did the white vinegar thing as described above.

Then for good measure, I put a few handfuls of soda crystals straight inside the drum and did a hot wash without anything else.

Machine is no longer smelling, six months on.

Do you use laundry liquid at low temperature washes?

If you do it's no wonder your washer smells. Laundry liquids don't contain bleach, and that combined with low temperatures encourages mould to grow, hence the whiff.

Ditch the liquid and get some bio powder, and rum some high temperature washes and your washer won't smell any more.