

Remember to leave the door and detergent drawer open to vent the machine between uses.
#Washing machine cleaning products how to
For full instructions, see how to clean a washing machine. You also need to clean the filter, the detergent drawer as well as the rubber gasket to remove all traces of grime, before running your chosen solution through the machine. White vinegar or bleach will give you the same effect, although never combine these - it will produce a lethal chlorine gas. You can either buy a dedicated washing machine cleaning solution, such as Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner ( $10, Amazon), or use household products to get the job done. This smell can then impart on your clothes as you wash them - so it’s worth checking the conditions of your washing machine if you’ve noticed smelly laundry.Ĭleaning a washing machine is pretty straightforward. Over time, this results in a smelly washing machine.

Residual soap and water sits in the machine with each use, leading to a build-up of soap scum, mildew and limescale. Wrong amount of detergentīelieve it or not, your washing machine needs cleaning once in a while. A hot wash (as hot as the care label allows) may be necessary to sanitize the laundry and remove any lingering smells. Alternatively, you can lower the temperature of the wash to save on energy, but keep in mind this will impact its cleaning performance. If you’re worried about energy use, eco settings are becoming more widely available which reduce the energy and water consumption in a trade off for a longer cycle. While this will take longer, it will help eliminate any residual smells. Consequently, any residual smells are less likely to be fully removed.įor regular wash loads, stick to using the dedicated standard cycle, relevant to what you’re washing, and don’t shorten its length. When you stop and think about it, your clothes are being washed for a reduced amount of time, with a shorter rinse and spin to boot, so naturally the clothes won't be washed as thoroughly. The trouble is, there’s a time and a place for a quick wash setting.

This washes your clothes in no time at all, with some cycles taking as little as 20 minutes. If you’re in a rush, or want to save money on energy, it’s easy to rely on the quick wash setting.
