A quarter of Brits have a smelly washing machine – here’s how to clean yours

These issues can come about as a result of not maintaining your machine, and long-term neglect can even damage the appliance, so it’s important to give it regular cleans if you want your laundry smelling fresh and to avoid costly repairs.

Perplexed with how to clean this housework workhorse? Try these tips from TV cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie and get your washing machine sparkling.

Add machine cleaning to your to-do list

‘If you want clean clothes, it is paramount you look after your washing machine,’ says Lynsey.

‘A dirty machine will not clean your clothes – instead they will come out with a musty smell or little dark marks that can be a real pain to get rid of.’

She recommends adding the task to your current cleaning routine, which your machine (and your wardrobe) will thank you for.

Try an anti-bacterial sanitiser

Using an antibacterial laundry sanitiser cleans your washing machine from the inside and helps get rid of odour-causing bacteria.

Simply pour 100ml of your chosen machine cleanser – such as Persil’s Antibacterial Laundry Sanitiser or Dr. Beckmann’s Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner – into the empty drum of your washing machine and wash at 60 degrees.

‘We’d recommend doing this once every two months or every 30 washes, just to ensure bacteria and limescale doesn’t build up affecting its efficiency and performance,’ adds Chloe Baker, spokesperson for Dr Beckmann.

And make sure you don’t put anything else in during a cleaning cycle!

Use vinegar or baking soda sparingly

Full strength vinegar (undiluted and applied with a cloth or poured inside the drum) can be a good way to dissolve hard water deposits.

However, it won’t kill bacteria, and overusing vinegar may damage some parts of the machine, so be careful with how much you use.

You could also try baking soda to freshen things up and remove odours, but it won’t really kill bacteria or fully wash away deposits deep inside the machine.

Don’t forget the drawer

As well as the drum and seal of a washing machine, the detergent drawer can trap mould, mildew and all sorts of nasty germs.

When your machine is off, remove the drawer and soak it in warm water, before using an old toothbrush or small bristle brush to scrub off any deposits.

You might be surprised at the gunk lurking here, but you’ll notice the difference in your washing once the drawer is clean. When you’re done, rinse, dry and replace.

Consult your machine’s manual for instructions

Some washing machines discourage using cleaning or de-scaling products as it can invalidate the warranty.

These days there are also machines that self-clean without the addition of extra chemicals, as well as models that need proprietary cleaners for best results.

To make sure you’re not caught out, have a good read of the documents that come with the machine before you get scrubbing.

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