The Reasons for a Washing Machine Maintenance Wash

I've come across many times with Customer's mentioning that the drum, when you open the the door, cames out with this horrible drain type smell. Well I thought I might write a little piece on it on the why's and wherefores and the do's and don't s and whatnots.

The Why's! Constant low temperature 40 degree washes, the increasing use of liquid detergents (which do not contain any bleach) and the increase of washing machines with plastic outer drums that have recesses in them where bacteria can take hold and grow have all contributed to the problem of mould build up and strong odours from washing machines. Also the black mould that builds up over time around the rubber door seal. Also and not least is the fact that sludge builds up, over the years, in the crevices of the alloy three pronged drum support bars and can rot them.

The Wherefores! The only option I have to recommend to you is, on a regular basis say once every month, do a maintenance wash (empty of clothes of cause) which consists of doing a full "boil" wash program (basically as hot as you can get it if not a 60 degree will do) with a bleach containing detergent (you know, that one that sounds like that thing that hangs on your chimney pot and catches television signals and birds think its a handy perch; is supposed to be good, its expensive but then you're only using it once a month!) and this helps to kill off any bacteria lurking in the recesses of the outer drum especially plastic drums, which most of them are now. Not only bacteria but components that deal with limescale and many other bits of dirt that you don't want there.

The Whatnot's! Also make sure that you clean out the soap box thoroughly, all of them come out somehow and it's usually in the instruction book how you do this. Pay particular attention to the softener section (if you use it) and make sure that bit is cleaned regularly or you can get a build up of not very nice gunk as well as possible leaks from there.

If you get the soap drawer out and look up above it you'll see a series of jets, this is where the water comes in to disperse into the drawer, make sure that is also clean, I find it best to use an old toothbrush dipped in a little bleach to get them clean, especially if they are a bit mouldy. Any black "stuff" you see in there is mould, it's a build up of bacteria who just love the wet environment to breed in. The water comes through these little holes via a very narrow channel and this gets blocked.

On other machines this can happen mainly on the fabric conditioner compartment and you notice the conditioner has not been taken away but you cannot get to this at all you literally have to take the machine apart to clean it all out. An engineers job I'm afraid. Its best to do all this before a maintenance wash to ensure that any bleach or other cleaning products are removed and do not then affect the next load that you wash.

Drying out can also help, leave the door of the machine slightly ajar when not in use. Also, this deserves a mention, try using White Vinegar. As much as you can get, pour it in the drum and leave it overnight. Then run the machine on a dummy wash, say a 60 degree. If all that lot doesn't work well! I don't know.....A face mask!!