New house, washing machine covered with mould

[casaberry]

We just completed on our first house and when I looked in the detergent drawer of the washing machine, I couldn't believe how black with mould it is not just the drawer where the detergent goes in, but above it as well and inside the door. It was really shocking because everything else in the house is in pretty good condition and the sellers seemed quite posh maybe they outsourced their washing!

I've tried soaking the drawer in vinegar and it's got some of the mould off but there's also a thick buildup of limescale as well. I feel like it will take days of trying to clean it and it's probably through the whole machine.

Am I right that we probably need to replace the machine or does someone have a magic cleaning tip?

Thank you.

If they always left it closed up with the door and drawer closed, it could have got mouldy quite quickly.

Is it integrated? If not, washing machines are usually taken unless in poor condition or specifically wanted by the buyer.

It will take a lot of work to clean, and may not be possible to do a thorough enough job depending on how bad it is.

If you can afford to replace, it is probably best. Or there are tutorials online to try. Very hot washes with machine cleaners, descalers, or empty. Removing the drawer and cleaning both the drawer and space with a toothbrush, etc.

mixrepairs.co.uk/how-to-clean-your-washing-machine-with-bleach/

this should work OP just make sure to do a whites wash afterwards and use some of the flash bleach cleaning spray and a brush as previously suggested up in the drawer compartment and the drawer

Take out the dispensing tray and soak in bleach overnight.

Agree with bleach.

My old one was a bit manky and I used Mr Muscle bathroom spray in the actual drawer section. You should be able to access it if you take the drawer out.

Dettol make a washing machine cleaner which I used to use on my old machine too.

I’d have to buy a new machine as who knows what the rest of the insides look like and I wouldn’t be sure any cleaning cycle could clean it. I appreciate not everyone would be able to replace it cost wise. My machine broke and my neighbour kindly let me use theirs. It had mould as you described and I ended up having to rewatch the clothes washed at theirs from the smell

Yeh this can just happen over time. I always leave my draw and door open when a wash has finished but it still comes so needs cleaning every few months. Pull the draw out and sock it in fairy liquid and give it a good scrub. Bleach like others have suggested works well and also white vinegar spray in the draw compartment at the top etc and just try to get to all the areas you can to clean it. Also maybe run a wash with zoflora or something similar to give it a nice clean.

Stick it in the dishwasher on a hot cycle.

It's completely normal if you don't wash it out regularly, just soak it in some limescale removing toilet cleaner. The rest should all wipe off.

I'd do an empty hot wash with a limescale remover too.

We used the mould and mildew spray on the top of the drawer, with a toothbrush, a sonic scrubber brush would help if you've got one. Then hot cleaning cycles with washing machine cleaner. We did end up replacing it when we did the utility room but it was ok to use after that for a year and a bit. We assumed they'd left it closed and never cleaned the drawer out.

Washing soda crystals and hot water will dissolve the sludge of soap and fabsoft that bacteria and mould grows on

You can take out the soap drawer to scrub it. This will enable you to scrub its slot with a toothbrush or washing up brush.

Quite likely the tub is also dirty.

Put a cup of soda crystals in each compartment of the drawer after you have cleaned it, and run a hot hot hot wash. Do not add soap or bleach or vinegar or anything else.

I bet the water in the tub will foam up and go grey as the soap dissolves the old soap sludge. Do it again until it stays clean.

You can put cotton towels in, the high temperature will not hurt them and they will come out cleaner, softer and whiter

Personally I would not replace the machine, I would clean it thoroughly as other have described & check it is performing well then take a view.

Remove tray, clean with bleach & limescale remover. Clean the door seal too (with bleach) if it needs it & also do the soda crystal clean as described above

I would then do a couple of (empty) hot washes & also put either bleach or a machine cleaner through & then start on my own laundry

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll try to soda crystals approach and hope for some good results! Would really rather not have to replace the machine if we can help it!

This happened to me in our first house. That was an integrated machine and it was revolting. I spent the best part of a week running all sorts of chemicals through it. I remember the relief when DH agreed we could replace it (we had next to no money at that point).

Missing the point but the drawer on my washing machine rarely looks dirty since I stopped using fabric conditioner. Previously it would develop a nasty slime and look grim.