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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Washing machine gunk

12 replies

Kaleidoscopic101 · 06/12/2024 10:15

Does anyone have any advice on the best way of dealing with the gunky grey globs of joy that accumulates in the washing machine seal? Is there a product or particular scourer etc that works well with this or is it just a case of elbow grease and damp cloths? Just wondering if there's any hacks out there! Please and thank you!

OP posts:
boulevardofbrokendreamss · 06/12/2024 12:38

Hot wash with a tub of bicarb and a couple of lemons helps dislodge a bit but you'll have to get in there to full clear it out.

Do you pods / liquid? I don't have a problem anymore since switching back to powder.

dementedpixie · 06/12/2024 12:42

I don't get gunk
What detergent do you use?

lovemycbf · 06/12/2024 13:05

I assume you use pods or gel as if you do that's the problem and don't wash at 30 degrees as it doesn't kill bacteria.
I use powder with a heaped tablespoon of soda crystals and I also do a 90 degree hot wash once a month with a few tablespoons of soda crystals to keep machine clean

Kaleidoscopic101 · 06/12/2024 17:31

Thanks that's helpful I use eco cover liquid but it's a heavily used machine so I perhaps need to give it some tlc a lot more regularly than I do 😆 thank you ever so much for the tips

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 06/12/2024 18:15

Could you try using a powder version?
Powders work better at keeping the drum cleaner

hesitsupallday · 06/12/2024 18:34

Another vote for powder. Also run a 95C wash once a month with no clothes in.

FrogFairy · 09/12/2024 20:31

A hot wash with soda crystals will help.

RosesAndHellebores · 09/12/2024 20:33

95° wash for the cleaning cloths 9nce a week with aerial. And afterwards, wipe in and around the seal. Stops the gunk.

LovelyDaaling · 09/12/2024 23:32

Make sure you do one 60C wash per week.
Use powder instead of liquid.
Don't use fabric conditioner.

Vnml · 16/04/2026 11:08

dementedpixie · 06/12/2024 12:42

I don't get gunk
What detergent do you use?

Liquid. I cannot use powder as triggers asthma

rwalker · 16/04/2026 11:09

Our machine used to get this stopped using fabric conditioner problem solved

JengaCupboard · 16/04/2026 11:29

Our old machine was putting black marks on stuff, and I couldn't work out why. Apparently fabric softener is the devil, and causes build up and mildew. Since we replaced the machine (it broke in the end anyway) I use pods and no softener, and no problems so far. Once these pods are gone I am going to switch to powder and add soda crystals as recommended elsewhere also.

I tried white vinegar, washing machine cleaners, boil washes, the lot, and to be honest it seamed to just make it worst. I bleached the seals, and regularly cleaned the drawer. Probably dislodging the build-up but not removing it. Our waste pipe was thick black gunge when we took it out, so maybe try disconnecting and cleaning that too? It was a nightmare!!

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