Washing machine scum

[BaileysforBreakfast]

Just cannot get rid of it... All my laundry comes out with either scum 'flecks', which can at least be shaken off when dry, or scum 'skid marks'. So far, I've done three or four 90 degree washes with empty machine, done hot washes with half bottle white vinegar, thoroughly cleaned out rubber seals, detergent drawer etc, emptied filter.. Literally nothing has worked. I'm now running the machine on 60 with half a cup of bicarb in but I'm not convinced that will work either.

Does anyone have any tips please? This has been going on for weeks now and I'm at my wits end!

Could it be something to do with the machine not emptying properly because the outflow pipe is blocked by a coin or button or something?

That way the old water is left in it.

If so you’d presumably need to disconnect the out hose and have a look and see if anything’s jammed in it?

I’d phone a repairer. Up our way the call out is £40 I think.

Are you using liquid or powder detergent? Powder keeps the drum cleaner

Soda crystals are good for dissolving grease of you want to try that in a hot wash

I'll give those things a go (apart from the £40 call-out solution, which would have to be a last resort!)

I use liquid detergent (capsules - Smol).

Soda crystals are great. A good couple of cupfuls in the drum and then run the machine (empty) on the hottest wash you can. Might need to do this a few times.

Check there isn't a build up of soap scum between the drum and the seal. Get in there with a damp cloth and give it a really good wipe. Not a nice job but can be very effective.

Check the filter - if it is slightly blocked the machine may not be draining properly. Also check the drain hoses aren't kinked.

Moving forward you might want to consider using washing powder rather than liquid. I found this helped a lot.

If the machine wasn't draining properly, wouldn't there be a 'puddle' in the bottom of the drum at the end of a cycle?

I will definitely be buying some soda crystals to try.

Thanks everyone.

Honestly it's the capsuals, powder cleans clothes so much better too.

Washing powder may keep your washing machine cleaner but it blocks the drains!! I would stick to pods. How old is the machine? Washing machines aren't built to last these days, could be that it's on uts last legs.

Stop using liquid , go back to powder , Ariel or persil are best imo.

@DwangelaForever

Washing powder may keep your washing machine cleaner but it blocks the drains!! I would stick to pods. How old is the machine? Washing machines aren't built to last these days, could be that it's on uts last legs.

Powder has never blocked my drains. I run a hot maintenance wash when my machine tells me to as well

Well it's well known to have blocked drains - go Google it if you don't believe me.

When I moved into my old house the garden drain kept blocking and the guy that unblocked it for me scooped out mountains of washing powder.

It can also block the pipes of your washing machine

I stopped using mainstream liquid detergents like Persil and Ariel because the perfume in them was so overpowering and triggered my allergies. Also, environmental concerns (so much plastic) were an issue. I might try a box of powder, and maybe alternate between that and Smol. Can anyone recommend a powder that isn't highly perfumed? I just want my laundry to look and smell 'clean', not heavily perfumed.

The machine is 5-6 years old and usually works just fine.

Liquids are terrible for leaving slime and residue. Switch back to big box powder, cheaper and eco friendly as you can recycle the cardboard boxes. Much better for your machine too. Leave the drawer and door open between washes as well to stop it getting musty, damp & smelly.

The washing machine repair man said it was caused by using too much detergent but that doesn't make sense if you are using pods.

I use Ariel bio as a 50/50 with soda crystals. Total amount half as much as the box tells you to use (so 1/4 of the suggested powder dose on the box, topped up with the same again of soda crystals).

We have hard water, so the soda crystals soften the water (less powder detergent required), dilute the fragrance of the powder but also provide a cleaning action themselves (great for stain removal too). They are brilliant for cleaning drains too (instructions on the bag), so they keep my washing machine pipes in top condition just by being flushed through regularly, jobs a good ‘un. They are about £1 for a 1kg bag from the supermarket.

I have never had an issue of powder blocking drains. Doesn't it just dissolve?

Agree with others re soda crystals, Op, good luck.

If your powder isn’t dissolving and is blocking drains, I would think you’re either

1. using too much powder

2. doing too short washes

3. washing at too low a temp

Or a combination of any/all.

@DwangelaForever

Well it's well known to have blocked drains - go Google it if you don't believe me.

When I moved into my old house the garden drain kept blocking and the guy that unblocked it for me scooped out mountains of washing powder.

It can also block the pipes of your washing machine

I'd rather have the hypothetical blocking of the pipes with powder than the sludgey slime marks I got on my clothes from using liquids/pods

I think it's worth checking the outflow pipe and the filter thing at the bottom of the machine. We had a second hand machine fitted and the crap that came out of the outflow pipe was horrendous. Sludgy grey mess all over the floor, I presume from fabric softener. You can replace them easily enough I think.

@BaileysforBreakfast

I stopped using mainstream liquid detergents like Persil and Ariel because the perfume in them was so overpowering and triggered my allergies. Also, environmental concerns (so much plastic) were an issue. I might try a box of powder, and maybe alternate between that and Smol. Can anyone recommend a powder that isn't highly perfumed? I just want my laundry to look and smell 'clean', not heavily perfumed.

The machine is 5-6 years old and usually works just fine.

Daz isn't strong smelling (I'm really scent sensitive, too) . It's dirt cheap, too.

Thanks, PickAChew :)

Can anyone advise regarding fabric softener, rather than the washing detergent? Do I really need to use it? (I live in a hard water area.) I have been told that it's the fabric softener that causes the mould etc, rather than the detergent. Does anyone know whether this is the case?

Those capsules make my washing machine smell inside and black stuff appears on the rubber bits. I do not like them at all.
I use powder. Much better.

If there is ever a residue on the clothes I just rinse them a second time and on occasion I do a wash using nothing just to give the machine a clean break.

@Didyouhearme

Can anyone advise regarding fabric softener, rather than the washing detergent? Do I really need to use it? (I live in a hard water area.) I have been told that it's the fabric softener that causes the mould etc, rather than the detergent. Does anyone know whether this is the case?

Plenty of people don’t use fabric softener and get on just fine, especially if they are tumble drying (which seems to have a softening effect in itself). Adding a tablespoon of soda crystals to your powder detergent will soften the water and reduce limescale build up in your machine, it’ll also reduce the amount of powder you need to use per wash (half the dosage).

I use powder or detergent, depending on the load but have never used fabric conditioner in this machine. No mould in 3.5 years other than the red staining you expect on something persistently damp. No slime, though.

It's a hard one. I used to live in a very hard water area and had to use a little fabric conditioner for everything (except towels) or else it was crispy, even from the dryer. Soda crystals in the wash didn't help and nor did vinegar in the rinse. Even with a small dose and regular cleaning, the mould came and persisted, even after I switched from all liquid detergent to powder for all but delicates.