If you open the door and catch that unpleasant musty smell, it is time to learn how to clean the washing machine properly. With use, detergent residue, limescale and mould build up in the corners we never see, and that is often why the laundry comes out smelling odd. The good news is that cleaning the washing machine inside is simple, cheap and needs no special products: with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda you have almost everything covered. Here is the step by step to get it spotless.
Why cleaning the washing machine matters
It might seem that an appliance that washes needs no washing itself, but the reality is the opposite. Water, damp and soap residue create the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive. Over time that turns into a washing machine that smells, laundry that never comes out truly fresh and an appliance that performs worse. Cleaning it regularly extends the life of the machine, improves the wash result and prevents breakdowns caused by limescale build-up.
How to clean the washing machine with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda
This is the star method because it is effective, cheap and kind to the environment. To clean the washing machine with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda you only need these two ingredients and a little patience:
- Empty the drum: make sure no clothes are left inside.
- Add the vinegar: pour around two glasses of white vinegar straight into the drum.
- Add the bicarbonate: put a heaped tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda in the detergent drawer.
- Set a hot wash: choose the longest cycle at 60 °C or above, with no laundry in it.
- Let it dry: when it finishes, open the door so it airs out properly.
The vinegar dissolves limescale and neutralises odours, while the bicarbonate lifts the dirt away and reinforces the disinfecting effect. Repeating this once a month keeps the inside in perfect shape.
Do not forget the door seal and the drawer
Most of the mould and grime hides in two specific places. The first is the rubber door seal on front-loading machines: gently pull the folds apart and wipe with a cloth dampened with vinegar, because that is where fluff, standing water and dark residue collect. The second is the detergent drawer. Pull it right out (on almost every machine it comes out by pressing a small tab), soak it in hot water and scrub the hardened fabric softener off with an old brush. A good set of cleaning tools and accessories for the home makes reaching those corners effortless.
The filter and the drain, the ones everybody forgets
The filter is usually at the bottom front, behind a small flap. Put a shallow container and a cloth underneath because some water will come out, unscrew the cap and take out whatever you find: coins, buttons, fluff and even the missing sock. Cleaning the filter every two or three months prevents blockages and bad smells. Check as well that the drain hose is not kinked or blocked, since poor drainage leaves standing water and causes exactly that musty smell.
Tricks to stop the washing machine smelling again
Prevention is easier than correction. These habits will stop you ending up with a washing machine that smells all over again:
- Leave the door and the drawer open after every wash so the inside dries out.
- Do not overdo the detergent or the softener: the excess builds up and leaves residue.
- Take the laundry out as soon as the programme ends; leaving it in for hours is the number one cause of bad smells.
- Run a hot wash once a month, even with nothing in it, to sanitise the drum.
- Use the right dose for the water hardness in your area.
With these small habits and a monthly clean, your washing machine will run better and your laundry will always come out smelling clean.
In short
Knowing how to clean the washing machine is no mystery at all: vinegar and bicarbonate for the drum, a once-over for the seal, the drawer and the filter, and a few simple habits to keep it that way. Giving it a few minutes a month shows in your laundry, in the air at home and in how long the appliance lasts. If you want to kit yourself out and keep the house always ready, take a look at our selection of products for the home at Velia Select and discover practical solutions that make life easier.