Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

If you are using conditioner on towels, Heth, stop it now .. it builds up and will make them smell eventually. Also, conditioner is just a plastic coating, so the towels will not be as absorbent.

I sometimes get water left behind in the soap dispenser .. .just have to pull it out to clean it ... gets blocked.

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

..............and the 'plastic' coating on your clothing can be absorbed into you via your skin which isn't the impermeable barrier most people think it is.

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

I take my soap drawer out and give it a soak every couple of weeks(I use denture cleansing tablets).

I also use a calgon type tablet to prevent the build up of limescale....I know we are a soft water area, but you do still get some build up.(or so a washing machine repair man told me...long before the chap on TV started telling us about it.

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

And not to mention those awful smelly perfumes they put in them, eh .. yuk ? ;)

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

Do you do lots of 30 or 40 degree washes and use washing liquid? We used to and had the same problem. Now all towels and bedding gets washed at 60. You will want to wash bedding at 60 after you go away and google about bed bugs just to be sure.

One problem is a build up of washing liquid and conditioner that forms a slimy layer. This then starts to grow bacteria and you get black spots in places you cant wash them off. The smell is most likely to be bacteria and its waste products. Try washing some towels at the hottest wash your machine will do. I tried the white vinegar as sugested on a web site and washing machine cleaners but nothing worked. Eventually I washed some white towels on hot with a lot of bleach in the machine as chlorine kills the bacteria and breaks down the slime. We do this at work to clean out water pipes that feed the machines. I do not recommend strong bleach solutions in your machine though for 2 reasons. It can degrade rubber pipes in your machine and the bubbles came out of the power drawer and completely filled the machine. At least this meant the bleach got everywhere in the machine. It was like a magic porridge pot that did not want to stop. The washer is in the garage though so it did not damage anything. It took a few washes rinses to get rid of but it does not smell any more.

I used to wash everything at 40 thinking I was saving money, now I wash bedding, towels and my work clothes at 60 and everything else at 40. I think Rhonda does the same. Not had the problem since and it was over a year ago it started to smell and I would guess the machine was only about a year old then. The old machine never did it even though we washed most things at 40.

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

My sheets are white and cotton so they get a 90 degree wash...with bleach.
I never really went for the low temperature washing thing.

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

I use 90 degrees for cotton whites (bedding and underwear).
I don't use fabric conditioner or bleach and use unscented 'skin sensitive' tablets placed directly into the drum - ie dont need to clean soap dispenser because it isn't used.

I did try (very natural eco friendly) soap nuts at one time but you can't use a very hot wash with them, and whites were greying a bit.

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

Thanks for all the replys, I aint been on for a few days.

Tried the soda crystals and Bi-Carb (thanks marg) as the soda crystals didnt work and seems to be ok.

In response to Neil yeah I have my washer on 30 for all washes as I were sucked into that eco friendly wash when it were advertised.

So how much bleach do I put in? A cap full or a bit more?
Have been getting them black spots so think a bleaching would be a good idea.

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

Heth, run a hot wash(above 60) with the machine empty..........a capful of bleach would be good.
On the last rinse Mix a dessertspoon of bi carb with a small amount of hot water and put it into the soap dispenser of the washing machine.
Once you have done this, and the machine has finished its cycle and has stopped....take out the soap drawer and give it a good wash in soapy water(washinp up liquid is fine).......when it has had a good wash put some bleach in the water and leave for about 15-20 minutes...this should kill and mould(which is what the black bits are)
Give the drawer a rinse and put it back in the machine.
Try to dry out any residue of water that collects in the rubber seal, and leave the door of the machine open just a little bit.

This routine may need to be done every few weeks. But ditch the low temp washes........and try to wash something at a high temp each week(towels are fave...or pot towels.....I wash these separately because I don't use fabric softener on them...for the reasons that Kate stated)

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

Thanks Marg will put it on a hot wash tonight with some bleach in there.

Good job you lot are here I tell you!! :D

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

well........ we have to be good for something.......even if it is only as a bad example :)

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

I suppose it depends how big your head is :rolleyes:

I used a lot but had the bubbles escaping the machine. I might have a photo of it, it was funny

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

Hahaha! Your so funny aint you?! :tongueout

Dont want me machine to be blowing bubbles out so wont put in that much!

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

Had this problem occasionally, cleaning out the filter worked. Gud Luk

Re: Cleaning a washing machine
 

i clean mine out once a week with bicarb on a 60 wash, i was alot of nappies in mine which can make it smell as you can imagine, i also strip my nappies once a month with white vinegar as a build up of detergent can make them smell, are you using the right amount of detergent in every wash?