Share your best tips for keeping your washing machine in tip-top shape with Fairy Non Bio - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Keeping your washing machine in good condition is vital step to having fresh, clean clothes...who knew?! Fairy Non Bio would like you to share all your methods and tips on how you keep your washing machine clean and in tip-top shape.

Here’s what Fairy have to say: “With the amount of washing we all do, we need to keep our faithful machines in tip top condition to keep it running for the long haul. Whether it is running a powder wash or a hot cycle every now and again, we would love to know your tips!”

Perhaps you give everything in the machine a wipe down after every wash? Do you have a schedule for how often you do an empty load? Or maybe you have some home remedies that you turn to that you think work brilliantly?

Whatever your methods are, share them on the thread below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck.

MNHQ

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I always used to set my machine to come on over night and sadly the rubber is now black and mouldy. I guess it was the perfect breeding ground for mould. I've scrubbed it and bleached it but nothing seems to get the back off! I guess I'm stuck with it until we can afford to replace it. Next time I will be doing all the above suggestions!

Unless anyone has any idea how to get the mould off?

gosh so thankful for thiss thread. got a few fab ideas i will be trying

i occasioanlly run a hot wash with bleach

Leave the door ajar between loads

After every wash I remove the dispenser drawer and rest it upside down to dry, I also leave the door open as long as possible, and give it all a quick wipe down.
Every month I do a very hot wash with some soda crystals added, no clothes.

My last machine I did think I'd kept it reasonably clean, then one day looked at the upper part of the bit where the drawer sits... it was really past the point of no return. I'm determined to keep this machine properly clean for as long as possible.

Washing towels on a high setting. Don't risk any other items but I feel towels are tough enough, and it helps give the machine a good clean.

Hot wash with a dishwasher tablet when I remember/when it gets stinky

I do leave the door open though but to be fair the washing machine is on a lot of the time!

i always leave the door open after a wash ... even if that means i have to do a cat check when i put an ew load on!

No hard water here thank goodness - that used to be catastrophic for machines in Portsmouth!

Now, I just wipe it out now and again and hand wash the drawer once a month. It gets a wipe down on the outside every week.

If it smells - usually of white spirit, oil or similar garage chemicals - it gets run with old towels, white vinegar and a boil wash.

Every few months I run a hot wash with a capful of bleach and a cup of salt ...seems to keep our machine running smoothly and smelling fresh

Don't use softener it clogs everything up!

dh does the laundry - thats my tip - get someone else to do it

I always pop in a de scaler tablet in with the washing detergent because I live in a hard water area. Not only does it prevent limescale buildup, it softens the water to make the washing detergent more effective

Another one who does a hot wash with a cleaning/descaling tablet every now and then. My machine has an indicator to remind you to do it every 4 washes, but I don't think I do it quite that often.

Also leave the door open when not in use, and only use powder, never liquid or gel. I'm really frustrated that powder tablets seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth, I'm just using loose powder now.

Always allow to vent by leaving door open between washes.

To keep my washing machine clean I take the powder drawer out every month to soak and clean it and also use washing machine cleaner monthly on a got wash. I leave the wash machine door open for a few hours after after each wash to air it also.

i put soda crystals in the drum when i remember to. That was a tip from my lovely late nan and it seems to keep it running ok as i use it daily with my busy family.

I usually leave the door open in between washes to let it dry out.

Also, approx. Once every six months I pour half a bottle of white vinegar into the drum then put it on a hot wash, empty of course. Then when that's finished I put our usual detergent in and out the machine on another empty wash, just so the clothes don't smell of vinegar when I next do a wash.

Every few months I'll put a washing machine cleaner through - it's not expensive and you can get them from any supermarket. Like some of the other posters I'll leave the washing machine door open after a wash, otherwise starts to smell a bit damp.

Leaving the door open between washes and not leaving wet washing in for too long after the machine stops.

I always make sure that I've left the door open between washes to make sure it doesn't develop a musty smell.

I use white vinegar regularly and do a hot wash when necessary for my baby nappies and cloth sanitary pads using lots of vinegar too

I use powder. No gunk at all. It's a revelation.

And much cheaper.

Every few weeks I clean out detergent drawer in hot soapy water.

Bung a mug of white vinegar in the drum and run empty machine on 60 degree cycle.

Leave door ajar after every wash. If seal gets the start of mould, very gently scrub with a scourer and stardrops. Dry off.

I'm watching all of these tips with interest as I am potty training DS at the moment with inconsistent success. I've got all sorts of potions for making sure the washing is hygenic and sparkling but tend to rely on the odd hot wash and a prayer to keep the machine serviceable. I did buy some white vinegar the other day as an experiment. I would also recommend a satisfying scrub of the powder drawer. I've popped mine in the dishwasher before now.