How to Clean a Washing Machine

Wondering how to clean a smelly washing machine? You might have a great range of laundry products to ensure your linens come out clean and refreshed, but a dirty machine won't be helping your cause. Washing machines become dirty as soap scum accumulates over time, leaving you with a washer that is in desperate need of a thorough scrubbing. Learning how to clean a UK washing machine is critical for avoiding odours, mildew, and filth build-up.

In this article we'll show you how to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda to deep clean both front-load and top-load washers (the process is a little different for each one). If you perform these deep cleaning steps once every six months, your washing machine should remain minty fresh and sparkling clean!

Front-Loading Washing Machines

1. Gather your cleaning materials. You will require:
   • White vinegar (distilled)
   • Sodium bicarbonate
   • Trigger spray bottle
   • Microfibre cloth
   • Toothbrush
2. Spray white vinegar on the washer drum - simply fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and mist the interior of the drum. Wipe the drum thoroughly with a microfibre cloth, making sure no surface is left untouched. White vinegar is one of nature's greatest cleaning agents, readily cutting away residue, build-up, hard water stains, and even grease!
3. Clean the rubber gaskets - following that, the rubber gaskets (the seals surrounding the door) require some major work. Wiping around them will most likely reveal muck, mildew, and even hair. Wipe it all out!
4. Run a washing cycle with hot water and vinegar - fill your detergent dispenser with the distilled white vinegar and then fill the washing machine drum with hot water. Set the washing to the longest cycle possible on the highest temperature.
5. Pour baking soda into the drum and restart the washing machine - sprinkle half a cup of baking soda straight into the washing machine drum. Run it on the same settings as before (the longest and hottest cycle).
6. Wipe the washing machine's door and front - using a microfibre cloth, mist the cloth with white vinegar and rub over the exterior and interior of the door until it sparkles. Continue along the whole front of the machine, paying special attention to the knobs and control panel. Remember, always test on an inconspicuous area of the machine before cleaning!
7. Leave the door ajar and let the washing machine air dry - doing this will help you keep mould and mildew at bay. Alternatively, wipe it with a dry microfibre cloth.