If you aim to keep your whites whiter and your pile of laundry smelling fresh every time, then it’s a good idea to keep your washing machine in tip-top condition between the service washes. Here are a few ways to ensure your washing machine stays clean and does its job: Advice on how regularly you should run a maintenance or service wash varies between manufacturers of washing machines, detergents and washing machine cleaning products. And when you run a maintenance wash will also depend on how often you use your machine. But as a rule of thumb, keep two to three months or every 30 washes in mind as the kind of frequency you should be aiming for. Some washing machines will also remind you when they need to be cleaned. What manufacturers' recommend:

You can clean the door seals manually using a soapy cloth and hot water. Feel inside the seal for any objects or dirt that have become trapped or naturally accumulated and remove what you can. Then wipe all of the rubber surfaces with the cloth. How to run a service wash 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. Advice for owners – This washing machine cleaner is designed to be used at 40°C without a spin cycle. If you use Prism 3 in 1, grab hold of your washing machine manual to find out how to de-select the spin part of the wash programme. Advice to owners – Pour a 250ml dose into the detergent drawer and wash without any laundry in the drum at 60°C. I occasionally use the Dettol washing machine cleaner. It ensures you clean the drawers, drum and seals and leaves it very fresh. I used to do this once a month, but since I changed to using washing powder, I don't need to do it as much. I also leave the drawer open when the machine is not in use." Disfordarkchocolate Our verdictHow often should you use it? – The manufacturer advises every two months or every 30 washes. We think that using the number of washes as your guide seems like the most helpful advice for how often to use it. Duzzit’s washing machine cleaner is a reasonably priced addition to your laundry routine that is guaranteed to leave your machine smelling lovely and fresh. The catch? It is slightly more complicated than others. 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! It is a fact of life that every appliance in your home needs a little TLC now and then, and your washing machine is no different. Wash cycles at 40°C and below can be a breeding ground for bacteria, residue and limescale and using a washing machine cleaning product can make a huge difference. Advice to owners – Mix 50ml with four litres of water and soak the detergent drawer in it for 30 minutes. Then pour 200ml into the detergent drawer and run a wash programme at 60°C without laundry in the drum or other detergent. At the end, wipe the rubber door seal with a damp cloth.

If there is a musty smell coming from your washing machine, try running a service wash to see if it helps. Also, clean inside the washing machine, including the rubber seal where mould and bacteria can build up, and wash out the soap drawer and filter before running your washing machine cleaner of choice through on a hotwash. If that doesn’t work, try swapping to a powder laundry detergent and reducing your use of fabric softeners (as liquid products can increase build-up). How do you remove mould from a washing machine? Manufacturer's claims – Duzzit washing machine cleaner claims to maintain against breakdowns and malfunctions. On the box it's noted that it will clean, freshen and maintain washing machines whilst helping to avoid expensive call out charges. 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. How often should you use it? – Every three months is advised by the manufacturer, which might be a bit too long between washes. So, if you buy it and are happy with the results, consider using it more often if run a lot of washes every week.Now find out t he best and worst washing powders and laundry detergents How to clean your detergent drawer How often should you use it? – The manufacturer advises to use its cleaner every three months, which might be fine, but every two months would leave you with a cleaner machine. For the eco-conscious looking to make environmentally-friendly product swaps, Ecozone’s washing machine cleaner tablets might just be for you. Non-toxic, vegan-certified and dermatologically safe, pop one of their six tablets into your machine at 60°C+ for lemony-scented freshness that’ll help your laundry to come out cleaner than ever!

Remove detergent draw and soak for approximately 30 minutes in a solution of 50ml of the product diluted in 4 litres of water. The second Ecozone product on our list, the Ecozone Magnoball, is designed to be added to every wash and claims that you’ll see results within five days of use. It is a cost-effective, reusable washing machine cleaner that is kind to the environment, cruelty-free and can be used for the dishwasher, making it great value for money. Our top-rated washing machine cleaner is the HG Deep Clean and Service-it. It not only comes recommended by Mumsnetters and experts but also is easy to use, highly effective and prevents faults in multiple appliances (including your dishwasher!). What is the best way to clean a smelly washing machine? To get it to work effectively, mix 50ml with four litres of water and leave it to soak in the detergent drawer for 30 minutes. Then pour 200ml into the detergent drawer and run a wash programme at 60°C, ensuring the drum is empty. At the end of the cycle, wipe the rubber door seal with a damp cloth. That’s a pretty hefty addition to your to-do list, but Duzzit claims you only need to do this every three months with their product, so you might want to set a reminder. It is a 3-in-1 cleaner that uses surfactants to absorb dirt, antimicrobials to stop nasty bacteria from growing and chloromethylisothiazolone to fight mould and fungi. Duzzit claims it also combats 100% of limescale, leaving behind a fresh scent and a clean machine. If you suffer from allergies, you may prefer to use a chemical-free washing machine cleaner such as Ecozone Magnoball.

3. Best scented washing machine cleaner: Dettol Original Washing Machine Cleaner

How often you run a service wash depends on how often you use your machine. Generally, you should clean your washing machine every 30 washes or every two or three months – whichever comes soonest. If you have a hi-tech washing machine, it might even send you a reminder! What is the best washing machine cleaner? I can also highly recommend Ecozone's dishwasher and washing machine cleaning tablets. They're basically just citric acid, and very effective. They do something similar in powder form that gets the crust and limescale out of kettles, too."(Tried and trusted by PlausibleSuit ) Our verdict Persil - Persil users are advised to run a maintenance wash every couple of months to, ‘clear the pipes of dirt and grease.’ We can arrange bespoke delivery solutions for you on very little notice. We pride our ability to find the most competitive delivery through our large network of delivery partners including national and international couriers, private hires and independents. I've been using them to clean my machine every month for the last ten years, also using white vinegar monthly to remove limescale. My machine works and looks as it did when new. Soda crystals are gentle on laundry and recommended for delicates." (Suggested by Mumsnet user CoolaSchmoola)