Just like your clothes need washing, your machine also needs cleaning. You may think that using all that detergent not only cleans your clothes, but also the washing machine itself. However, your washing machine can pick up all kinds of things like dirt, bacteria, mildew and dirty soap from your washing. If you leave your machine uncleaned, after a while it will begin to smell musty. Find out how to clean a washing machine in a few simple tips.
Tips for cleaning washing machines and washer-driers
You can keep the machine in top cleaning conditions with a few simple tricks and habits.
Remove the load as soon as the washing cycle has finished to avoid getting musty smells on your clothes.
Run a monthly cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner to get rid of any odours or contaminants in your washing machine, or to avoid any build up in the machine.
Keep the door of your machine slightly ajar after each wash. This allows the air to move around in the machine and helps dry out the machine.
Remove any water, detergent or fabric softener residues from the dispenser drawers and keep the dispenser drawer open, too.
Use a damp cloth to clean the exterior of your washing machine.
Clean the inlet hose filters, since when they clog up, this can affect the flow of the water in your cycle.
How to care for your washing machine
Give your washing machine regular maintenance care and cleaning to keep it running healthily. By caring for your machine on a regular basis, you can also save money on repairs in the long run. The best thing you can do to care for your washing machine is to clean it on a regular basis. However, each machine needs individual care, so see our tips on how to clean a front load washing machine and how to clean a top load washing machine.
How to clean front load washing machines
Run a hot cycle with an empty machine to remove any built up detergent.
Wash on a 40 degree wash with a washing machine cleaner to get rid of odours.
Remove the detergent drawer and soak it in a bowl or sink. You can also add bleach to the hot water if it’s very dirty.
Wipe the machine and door down with a cloth dampened with hot water. Pull back the rubber seal on the door to get all the scum from underneath.
Wipe inside the hole where the dispenser drawer was located.
Use a toothbrush to remove any residues left over in the drawer before replacing it in the machine.
How to clean a top load washing machine
Like with a front load machine, run a hot cycle with an empty machine to remove any built up detergent.
Run a second hot wash with a washing machine cleaner to get rid of odours. Let it swish around for 30 seconds and leave it to stand for 30 minutes to an hour.
Restart and finish the cycle.
Turn the machine off and wipe inside with a hot, damp cloth to really clean inside the drum and the rim of the tub.
Also, using the right detergent is important if you have a fully-automatic washing machine. Hand wash detergent in a fully automatic washing machine can leave more residues behind, making the machine harder to clean and can also affect its longevity. Ariel is specially designed to meet your needs and is uniquely formulated to ensure the best performance inside your washing machine. Ariel offers a range of detergents from regular Ariel (for your semi-automatic washing machines) to Ariel Matic Front Load (for your fully-automatic front load washing machine) and Ariel Matic Top Load (for your fully-automatic top load washing machine), to ensure you get the best stain removal in 1-wash.
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