How To Clean Your Washing Machine

Have you noticed a slightly musty smell when you open your washing machine? Is there detergent residue building up around the detergent dispenser? Are your clothes coming out of the wash with bits of lint still on them? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time for a washing machine clean.

Most people think the water and detergent your washing machine uses is enough to keep it clean, but there are lots of places in a washing machine, whether it’s a front or top loader, where grime, lint and detergent can build up. This will not only affect the effectiveness of your wash, but it will ultimately shorten the lifespan of your machine. So, a little regular cleaning will save you time and money in the end.

Wipe the outside of your machine with All Purpose Cleaner on a damp sponge. If you can access them, wipe the taps and hoses down too. Then give another wipe over with Disinfectant on a damp sponge before towel drying.

1. Empty all the lint filters and detergent dispensers. If they are removable, give them a soak in All Purpose Cleaner, and then scrub with a toothbrush and rinse before returning them to their position. If they aren’t removable, a scrub with a toothbrush dipped in undiluted All Purpose Cleaner followed by a rinse with a very wet sponge should do the trick. If you aren’t sure where the lint filters are – this can be less than obvious, particularly on a front loader – Professor Google will undoubtedly have the information for your particular machine.
2. Wipe around the inside of lids or doors with All Purpose Cleaner on a damp sponge.
3. If you have a front loader, be careful to wipe inside the rubber seal on the drum and the door. Lint and little things that fall out of pockets, like paper clips and hair ties, not to mention tissues, can get stuck in there and cause problems later on.
4. Run the machine empty with a small amount of Auto Dish Liquid. This will help clean any detergent and lint residue lingering in the pipes and ensure your machine continues to drain effectively. Adding a dash of Disinfectant can also help freshen up the pipes and inner drum that can’t be reached.
5. Finally, wipe or spray the inside of the machine thoroughly with Disinfectant and leave the door or lid open for the machine to fully air until your next wash.

You shouldn’t need to give your washing machine a full clean more than once a year. But if you are one of those people who puts a load on and promptly forgets it for two days, and there are a lot of you out there, you may find your machine takes on that funky smell more quickly. In that case, give your machine a good clean when you feel the need.

If you would like further information or advice on the best way to tackle your particular cleaning related problems, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or (02) 9838 1220.

Products recommended in this article:

All Purpose Cleaner
Auto Dish Liquid
Household Grade Disinfectant
Extra Fragrance Disinfectant