Just because your washing machine cleans your clothes and makes them smell fresh, doesn’t mean it also shouldn't be cleaned from time to time. If you've recently noticed your clothes are smelling a little musty, then it might mean your washing machine is ready for a good clean.
Every week it works hard to banish stains from your favourite garments, as well as remove dirt and bacteria, so it’s important to use some of your top cleaning tips to make sure it gets a good cleaning once a month so it can continue doing its job well.
Luckily, cleaning your washing machine is easier than you might think, and there are plenty of products that can do the job for you. Not sure where to start? Just follow these simple steps below to help keep it in tip top condition.
How to clean a washing machine
While you might feel confident disconnecting your washing machine, it can be hard to know how to clean it. Any leftover fabric conditioner and detergent that’s leftover from your wash will build up over time and can lead to mold and your washing machine smelling bad. Here’s how you can give it a deep clean:
• Run a cycle - newer washing machine models come with a cleaning cycle where all you need to do is add some bleach. If yours doesn’t, just add ½ a cup of bleach to the dispenser and just run a normal cycle with hot water. Alternatively, you can always use a washing machine cleaner.
• Rinse and spin - once your washing machine has completed its cycle, pop it back on for another rinse and spin. This is just to make sure all the bleach has been washed away.
• Clean the dispenser draw - some washing machines have a removable dispenser draw, if yours does, take it out, pull it apart and clean it in a sink of hot water. If there’s any old build up of detergent or conditioner, just gently scrub it away with an old toothbrush. Once it has been cleaned, dry it, reassemble and pop it back into the washing machine.
• Clean the drum and rubber seal - wipe the rubber gasket clean (as mold can build up here) and make sure you dry it thoroughly too. Give the door and drum a final wipe too, then leave the door open to let it air dry.
As well as keeping your washing machine clean, it's important to know how to clean your tumble dryer too.
Washing machine cleaners
Description
This washing machine cleaner won't only leave your machine smelling of zesty lemons, it also removes 99.9 per cent of bacteria, works as a descaler and removes limescale. Recommended to use every two months.
One reviewer said: "I didn't know you had to wash washing machines... But after my clothes kept smelling strange after washing, I figured it was time to Google and search for a solution.
"This solution popped up as a recommendation and wasn't too expensive, so gave it a try. It worked really well. Really easy to use, smells delightful, cute packaging, and solved my problems! Thanks for the product Dettol!"
Description
Simply pour this into the drum of your washing machine and select a 60 minute wash at 60u00b0C and it will kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria, fungi, viruses and leave your machine smelling lovely.
One reviewer said: "After trying other brands and doing hot cycles with bleach I gave this a go. I'm sure my other attempts helped but after using this the washing stopped smelling stale as it had done before so I'm sure this helped significantly."
Description
Removing limescale, dirt and residue, providing freshness, a hygienic clean and preventing odours, is what you'll get from this 5-in-1 washing machine cleaner.
One reviewer said: "Easy to use, just pour in and turn machine to the right temperature setting and away you go. Washing machine was sparkly and smelt fresh afterwards."
Tips for avoiding a smelly washing machine
1. Leave the washing machine door slightly open after each use. This will allow the air to circulate around the drum and dry out remaining moisture that can lead to damp, musty smells.
2. Remove your clean clothes soon after your wash is complete. Again, this will prevent musty odours from developing.
3. Make sure there’s no pet hair in the drum. If you have pets in your household, you’ll most likely find hair in your machine. Leave your washing machine door open until the drum is dry, once it is, go back in with a hoover using a soft end nozzle to remove the hair.
4. Regularly check the gasket is dry and free of any small items, as this can become a breeding ground for mould.
Washing machine cleaning cycles
As well as using a washing machine cleaner, some washing machines come with specific cleaning cycles designed to give your machine a thorough clean. We spoke to Vivien Fodor, Hotpoint’s Category Manager for Laundry in the UK and Ireland, who shared how their washing machines have been made to keep your wash as hygienic as possible.
“Contrary to their primary purpose of keeping our clothes clean, washing machines can collect dirt and bacteria inside of them. Yet one in five Brits never clean their washing machines – this is partly due to a lack of awareness of needing to, and people not knowing how. To tackle this, at Hotpoint, we developed an automatic cleaning cycle that runs through our washing machines. Simply press and hold the AutoClean button for five seconds, and the machine will start a cleaning cycle - removing detergent, soap build up, chemicals and bacteria.
“Many of Hotpoint's washing machines also features an antimicrobic door seal, which prevents and protects your machine from bacteria build-up by 99 per cent*. Therefore with Hotpoint, you don‘t need to worry about cleaning your washing machine by hand, and it will work effectively for longer warding off unpleasant smells and keeping your clothes clean and fresh.”
*Certified by TUV