How to keep your washing machine in tip-top condition ensuring it runs smoothly and produces the optimum clean!

This week we’re in my laundry room talking all things washing machine!

Our washing machine is so integral to our household, sometimes tackling 3 to 4 washes daily. This is why it is so important to look after her and keep her running smoothly! 

Every six months you should give your washing machine a real thorough clean both inside and out. Here’s my routine!

Cleaning the inside:

Pop two cups of soda crystals into the drum. Set your washing machine to the hottest, longest wash it can manage and set her off!

Once that cycle has finished, go in with two cups of white vinegar. You can add some lavender oil here to make it smell wonderful and to take some of the edge off of that vinegar scent. Again, pop your machine onto it’s hottest and longest wash cycle. 

The detergent drawer:

It’s very important to keep the soap dispensing drawer clean and free from mould and mildew. 

This can be done by pulling the drawer out and getting in there with a cloth, toothbrush and some trusty fairy washing up liquid! Give the whole area a good once over, and it will come up a treat. You’d be surprised by the amount of grime that can gather in there!

The door’s seal:

For the rim around the edge, I like to use a damp cloth to get right into the rubber seal and all around the door. This can be a little harder to get spick and span, but it’s so worth it. There will likely be a build up of grime that needs removing, so get right into the seal to get that all out.

The pipe:

This can be a little harder to get to, but do try to make sure you’re cleaning the pipe at the bottom of your machine if you can. Remove the end of the pipe and use your cloth or toothbrush to remove any grime that may be lurking inside. 

The outside:

Give the whole of the machine a once over with your cloth. Make sure you clean the glass and mop up any detergent spills or marks. 

General tips:

Don’t close the door of the machine between washes! This means the moisture is trapped inside the machine so mould and mildew and flourish. Keep the door open so air can circulate.

Use engineer visits to gain more knowledge of your machine. I always make our engineer a cup of tea and ask lots of questions about my machine, it’s how I’ve learnt all of the tips above! They are a real font of knowledge and always appreciate a good brew too. 

If you follow these tips then your machine should stay as good as new for years to come! 

Love, Charlie x