How Often Should I Clean My Washing Machine?
There is nothing better than the smell of fresh clean clothes coming straight out of the washing machine but have you ever opened the washing machine door and been hit with a slightly unpleasant smell? Well, this problem is a lot more common than you think, with most people putting it down to dodgy drains it is more than likely that it is actually your washing machine that is producing that far from fresh smell! However, do not fear and definitely do not panic because I have compiled a list of nifty tips and tricks that will make sure your washing machine is smelling fresher than a daisy!
People often fail to realise what causes your washing machine to smell bad and is often put down to dodgy smelling drains or the washing machine being old. Now, this may well be the case however if you've been put through the wringer trying to solve this smell and it is still reappearing or just won't go away it is more than likely another cause.
More often than not, this smell is caused by bacteria and mould growing within your washing machine. You may notice specs of black mildew or nasty nifts within your machine and this is all evidence that the source of the smell is more than likely coming from your washing machine itself. The build-up of bacteria in this day and age is mainly due to the fact that people tend to use low power eco washes to save money on their energy bills and to help be more eco friendly. This lack of heat being produced creates the ideal environment to promote the growth of bacteria. However, do not fret because there are some very easy and clever tricks you can use to eliminate this smell completely and it all comes down to ensuring that you are cleaning your washing machine often.
Washing machine cleaner products can be an unnecessary expense when coming to doing the weekly shop so to combat this unnecessary expense, some clever people have come up with an idea that just involves using vinegar. Once mixed with baking soda the acidic formula will burn through any built-up bacteria within the washing machine and create a clean odourless appliance that smells as good as new!
As a note before anyone attempts this method, please check your washing machine user manual to ensure that this process will work smoothly and not cause any damage to your machine. Once you have the all clear with your user manual, simply pour two cups of vinegar into your detergent dispenser and direct your washer to complete one hot cycle. Once the cycle is complete, please add half a cup of baking soda to the drum and run another hot cycle. Once complete rub down the inside of your machine with a microfiber scrub towel to clear any excess residue.
To ensure that your washing machine stays clean and doesn’t keep building up with smells ensure to repeat this process every couple of months or so.
As mentioned at the start of this blog, the build-up of bacteria that is causing your washing machine to smell unpleasant is often due to people using eco washes and colder wash settings. By conducting a simple cleaning service on your washing machine every one or two months (depending on how intensely you use it) you can help reduce the chance of your laundry appliance smelling.
All you have to do is place your washing machine on a hot wash (60 degrees or higher) when there are no clothes or detergent in the machine and run through the cycle once. This should help remove any of the bacteria built up.
If your washing machine manual does not allow you to use vinegar to clean your appliance then there is another way around this method we mentioned earlier. All you need to do is go out and purchase some washing machine cleaner and use it once every three to six months to help reduce the build-up of smells.
Hopefully, these tips have helped cure your washing machine of any unpleasant smells and your clothes are now smelling as good as they were when you first bought the washing machine. It is important to ensure that you keep on top of caring for your washing machine because just cleaning it every couple of months will help reduce smells but also maintain the longevity of your appliance and ensure you get the most bang for your buck out of it!
If you are looking for high-quality laundry appliances in the Wirral and Wallasey area to help give you the edge then check out our wide range of appliances at Powerpoint. We deliver across Wallasey, the Wirral & Birkenhead. Shop laundry and cleaning appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers today.
What Causes These Smells?
People often fail to realise what causes your washing machine to smell bad and is often put down to dodgy smelling drains or the washing machine being old. Now, this may well be the case however if you've been put through the wringer trying to solve this smell and it is still reappearing or just won't go away it is more than likely another cause.
More often than not, this smell is caused by bacteria and mould growing within your washing machine. You may notice specs of black mildew or nasty nifts within your machine and this is all evidence that the source of the smell is more than likely coming from your washing machine itself. The build-up of bacteria in this day and age is mainly due to the fact that people tend to use low power eco washes to save money on their energy bills and to help be more eco friendly. This lack of heat being produced creates the ideal environment to promote the growth of bacteria. However, do not fret because there are some very easy and clever tricks you can use to eliminate this smell completely and it all comes down to ensuring that you are cleaning your washing machine often.
Tip 1 - Use Vinegar to Clear Bacteria
Washing machine cleaner products can be an unnecessary expense when coming to doing the weekly shop so to combat this unnecessary expense, some clever people have come up with an idea that just involves using vinegar. Once mixed with baking soda the acidic formula will burn through any built-up bacteria within the washing machine and create a clean odourless appliance that smells as good as new!
As a note before anyone attempts this method, please check your washing machine user manual to ensure that this process will work smoothly and not cause any damage to your machine. Once you have the all clear with your user manual, simply pour two cups of vinegar into your detergent dispenser and direct your washer to complete one hot cycle. Once the cycle is complete, please add half a cup of baking soda to the drum and run another hot cycle. Once complete rub down the inside of your machine with a microfiber scrub towel to clear any excess residue.
To ensure that your washing machine stays clean and doesn’t keep building up with smells ensure to repeat this process every couple of months or so.
Tip 2 - Let the Machine Air Out
Simply leaving the washing machine door and detergent dispenser slightly open between washes, can help reduce the build-up of bacteria within your washing machine and by airing it out stops this growth and increases the amount of time it takes before your washing machine will begin smelling again. Just remember to keep them closed when your using it!Tip 3 - Heat can Help
As mentioned at the start of this blog, the build-up of bacteria that is causing your washing machine to smell unpleasant is often due to people using eco washes and colder wash settings. By conducting a simple cleaning service on your washing machine every one or two months (depending on how intensely you use it) you can help reduce the chance of your laundry appliance smelling.
All you have to do is place your washing machine on a hot wash (60 degrees or higher) when there are no clothes or detergent in the machine and run through the cycle once. This should help remove any of the bacteria built up.
If your washing machine manual does not allow you to use vinegar to clean your appliance then there is another way around this method we mentioned earlier. All you need to do is go out and purchase some washing machine cleaner and use it once every three to six months to help reduce the build-up of smells.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these tips have helped cure your washing machine of any unpleasant smells and your clothes are now smelling as good as they were when you first bought the washing machine. It is important to ensure that you keep on top of caring for your washing machine because just cleaning it every couple of months will help reduce smells but also maintain the longevity of your appliance and ensure you get the most bang for your buck out of it!
If you are looking for high-quality laundry appliances in the Wirral and Wallasey area to help give you the edge then check out our wide range of appliances at Powerpoint. We deliver across Wallasey, the Wirral & Birkenhead. Shop laundry and cleaning appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers today.
