Whilst the machine is paused, wipe the top of the machine using a microfibre cloth dipped in the vinegar solution. How often should you use it? – Every month, according to the manufacturer. But, this sounds a bit too frequent - every two months should be fine. If you wash the average three loads a week, that will mean your washing machine gets a good wash itself approximately every 24 washes.

Zoflora is a Mrs Hinch-recommended product that is much beloved by Mumsnet users for its multi-purpose, gorgeous scents and highly-effective formula. You’ll be able to find this product pretty much anywhere, both in-store and online, usually at pretty reasonable prices, too! We also use colder wash temperatures these days (I usually use between 30-40 degrees) as these are usually more energy efficient. However, the temperature of this water isn’t hot enough to remove the mould. Typically, you will need a wash above 60 degrees (90 degrees is often recommended. So, the worst-case scenario for creating mould build up is to use liquid detergents on low wash temperatures…and that’s pretty much what a lot of people use these days! Whenever we want to find good products, we start by asking our Mumsnet users which ones they recommend. With over 10 million users each month, we know we’re getting products that can both withstand the needs of family life and also cater for a range of different needs and budgets. Expert guidanceThe duration of the self clean cycle varies from appliance to appliance. They can take anywhere between 1 to 4 hours to complete. How To Clean A Washing Machine Without A Self Clean Cycle I put a small scoop of soda crystals in with the washing powder when I do washing. It helps to soften the water, so you need less washing powder, and it helps to stop limescale build-up, or so the washing machine engineer told me last time he came out." (Vetted by Mumsnetter Erictheavocado) Our verdict You should be working on the assumption that prevention is better than cure. Which means you should clean your washing machine once a month or at least once every 30 washes. Is There A Specific Clean Cycle On The Washing Machine?

You can use around 20% of your washing machine clear to clean the detergent drawer. Just remove the drawer and soak it in a solution of cleaner and water for around 30 minutes. Read the instructions to see how much cleaning liquid, powder and water to use. The simplest way to clean the drawer is to use hot soapy water, a cloth and an old toothbrush for getting into those tighter areas. A bottle brush can also be handy for this. The way you run a cleaning cycle on your washing machine will depend on whether it has a self cleaning feature or not. Let’s start with how to use the self cleaning feature first. How To Operate The Self Clean Feature On A Washing Machine Biofilm – this is more of a “slime”-like substance and is usually found in and around the washing machine drawer.Manufacturers claims – Dettol washing machine cleaner claims to kill 99.9% of bacteria, prevents bad odours, removes limescale and hidden dirt and provides lasting freshness. Mould can develop in the damp areas of the machine and on surfaces, such as the rubber door seal, limescale can build up on components deep within the machine, such as the heater element and deposits of dirt and undissolved detergent can be found spread around the machine. Run a frequent hot wash: If you’re always doing lots of washing and use a lot of fabric conditioner, running a hot wash once a week will give it a good rinse. (Remember to open the door and detergent drawer after use to let the machine dry out.) If you suffer from allergies, you may prefer to use a chemical-free washing machine cleaner such as Ecozone Magnoball.