Washing machine full of mould - how to get rid of it?

[BananaChunk]

We are staying in an Airbnb while our house is renovated. It's not great but it's all we could get as no rentals were available.

The washing machine is a washer/dryer though the dryer doesn't work. I bought some washing machine cleaner but the mould is still there. Our clothes absolutely stink and I cannot get rid of the smell.

Are there any tricks I am missing? What could I use to give it a really thorough clean?

Have you fully pulled out the powder draw? Put it in the dish washer spray vinegar down the chute and clean what you can get to. Vinegar the seal around the door. Run a few empty 90° washes with a dishwasher tablet or soda crystals.

The clothes you've run through it will need a proper wash so maybe go to a laundrette with vinegar in tow.

As for this machine, you can try running it's hottest longest setting with washing machine cleaner. We do this monthly and also do a wipe of the rubber bit and around the door.

Apparently putting a dishwasher tablet in the drum with one of these hot washes helps because of the enzymes they contain! Worth a shot I guess.

I have a washer dryer if the dryer isn’t working, it’s probably full up with gunk inside. You need to contact the owners asap to get it sorted. You could try putting machine on hottest wash with a descaler tablet, but my bet is it needs a good clean inside. I had an engineer out and he showed me the inside of machine, it was only 6 months old, it was awful. I now descale every 2 months on a hot wash.

Thanks - they don't have a dishwasher so I don't have any tablets but I shall go and get some soda crystals and vinegar! Argh!

Yes I do suspect it is filthy

As per a PP, buy another box of washing machine cleaner (the powder not the liquid) and run it through on the hottest wash possible. Always keep the machine door ajar when not in use to allow air flow and prevent mildew reforming. You should avoid using vinegar as it ruins the rubber seals.
What kind of laundry detergent do you use? Again, powder is better at preventing mildew-y smells.

Contact the host to get it fixed.

The mould could be in the pipes/hoses. No amount of putting stuff in the drum and doing hot washes will cure this. Complain to the rental company. You're paying for a facility you can't use.

Hi @BananaChunk Thanks for posting. Sorry to hear about your washing machine! If you're still struggling with it, here's the link to our guide to the best washing machine cleaners. The products are based on the recommendations of Mumsnet users and our research into consumer reviews. We hope you find them useful.

Have you drained it fully? My washing machine went through a phase of leaving clothes musty. I cleaned the tray, the seal, did 90 degree washes with vinegar. Nothing worked! Then DP came over and drained it, and discovered one of my reusable cotton pads festering in there. It’s been fine since.

This video explains what I mean: