Even though it may seem contradictory to clean an appliance that’s designed with hygiene in mind – it’s a job worth doing and worth doing well.
If you’ve opened the detergent drawer to find it looking less than pristine, you’ll know it doesn’t take long for traces of washing detergent or fabric softener residue to turn into black mouldy slime.
The good news is it can be prevented. You just need to regularly remove the drawer and give it a thorough clean.
Henry Paterson, cleaning expert at Housekeep, recommends soaking the drawer in hot, soapy water for a while and then scrubbing it clean. “A toothbrush can be really handy to help clean out any nooks and crannies,” he says. "Then rinse off and leave to dry before putting it back in your machine.”
He also reminds you not to forget the drawer slot. “While the drawer's drying, wipe out the inside of the drawer slot using another clean damp microfibre cloth and a multi-surface cleaning spray,” he says.
Simply wiping the inside of the drum isn’t always enough – especially when we are all doing our bit for the environment and washing on lower temperatures than ever before. The hundreds of tiny perforations in the drum make the perfect hiding place for germs and they need to be tackled head on.
Whether you prefer to use a natural cleaning detergent, such as white wine vinegar, or a professional washing machine cleaning product, it’s recommended you perform a deeper drum clean every few months. Specialist products will carry their own instructions, or you can pop one cup of white vinegar directly into the drum and run it on a cycle at 60-70C (140-158F).
Paterson also recommends an alternative product to his clients. “Run an empty cycle on the hottest setting with 500g (1lb 2oz) of soda crystals. You can get these in any supermarket. Just pour the crystals straight into the drum before you run the cycle.”
The rubber seal around the door, which naturally traps water and debris, is another place where germs and dirt love to hide. If you realised it’s been a while since you last looked, now is as good a time as any to banish the bacteria.
“Once the drum cleaning cycle has finished, thoroughly wipe around the door seal with a damp microfibre cloth and a multi-surface cleaning spray," says Paterson. “If there's mould or limescale there, you can also apply some white vinegar to help remove this.”
As it doesn’t take long for the seal to become dirty, try to ensure you clean it at least once a week – don’t just save it for a spring clean.
“The filter is commonly forgotten about,” says Jo Jackson, UK & Ireland market product manager at appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel, who adds: "But this should be cleaned approximately once a month.”
On a front-loading machine, the filter cover is typically found at the bottom right-hand corner of the machine. If in doubt, check your appliance's manual.
Once you’ve located it, open the cover and “simply remove the plug and allow any water to drain into a shallow dish”, recommends Jackson. “Then, remove the filter and clean and rinse it in the sink.”
Paterson adds that an old toothbrush can come in handy again for the filter if there are any stubborn traces of dirt. Cleaning the filter is essential to the performance of your machine, as if it gets blocked it can cause a leak or prevent the machine from draining correctly. It’s amazing what you can find in there too.
Missing a sock? I’ve been known to find the odd one lurking in the filter.
Finally, Jackson says: “Use a soft damp cloth to wipe all exterior surfaces, but avoid using chemicals or scouring cleaners, as these will damage your washer’s paint and plastic surfaces.”
Microfibre cloths and a general surface cleaner will do the trick in most cases.
As most machines are operated by touch, Paterson says: “Make sure to wipe all of the buttons and controls too, to ensure you start the next washing cycle as hygienically clean as you can.”
