Tips for cleaning a washing machine

[AGTDenton]

Currently in the process of moving into a new place and used the washing machine for the first time.
When the cycle finished the clothes smelt awful like I'd left them to stew for weeks.

A quick inspection found the tray was covered in black mould underneath as well as the whole of the tray slot which also had a river of lovely yellow sludge, and finally the door seal has clearly seen better days.

I've done what I can to clean it physically without dismantling the machine. I removed the sludge in the slot but not the black mould as I don't have the proper tools, cleaned up the tray in the dishwasher and did a bit of scraping in the door seal but I clearly don't have the right cleaning agents for that as it didn't remove anything.
I also ran a service wash but the smell is still there.

I contacted a local repair specialist but its not something they do. However, they pointed me in the direction of this descaler:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wpro-DES121...dp/B01JZUA90G/


Has anyone had to do anything similar or have any suggestions? I can't see this doing much but prepared to give it a go for £13

Cheers

[Jonj1611]

I just use this stuff :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0080ZSQKS

[AGTDenton]

Thanks will add a couple to basket

[Saracen999]

I just use this stuff :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0080ZSQKS

I'm glad to say I've never needed that, but I didn't even know it existed and it's useful to know. Thanks.

[AGTDenton]

I decided in the end to get both WPro & Dr. Beckmann

The machine just completed the 1st cycle on Wpro. While it didn't make a visual difference, it loosened a lot of the black sludge in the seal, so I've now agitated and wiped away what's loose.
The washing machine people I asked for advice from said to do 4 washes on highest temp. So we'll see how that goes, then move over to the Doctor.

The previous tenant was obviously quite happy to wear dirty & smelly clothes

[[GSV]Trig]

That Beckman stuff was what I was going to get just over a year ago when the washer stank, missus decided to buy a new machine instead and had someone come pick the old one up free from the Facebook marketplace, needless to say, the new machine has just crapped itself and now we need a new one.

Shes bloody terrible, does the same with BBQ's, uses it, doesn't wash it, then when summer comes around again she'll just buy a new one rather than spend 5 minutes cleaning it when shes finished using it...

FML

[Kumagoro]

We had a similar problem years ago. Tried the doctor one bit didn't work that well. I had more luck with spirit vinegar and 90 degree washes.

What worked for me best though was gettinga bag of citric acid from and Asian food store and using quite a bit of that. It isn't good for the seals but if you can't get rid of the smell properly and it keeps coming back it is worth trying. I also highly recommend it for cleaning tea stained mugs and flasks.

After doing a load leave the draw out and the door open so the machine dries.

[ik9000]

Presume it's a rental? Ideally you'd replace it as the phrase polishing a turd springs to mind. We had a similar mould ridden machine in our last rental and it was horrific. Ruined clothes in the end due to the lingering and immovable odour. Do you think the landlord will replace it? If so approach them. Even suggest a model and cost of they agree etc. Some landlords just want an easy life. If not well hopefully it breaks quickly leaving them with no choice. I'm fairly sure you can argue it's lack of maintenance and unsuitable same as an unclean oven etc. Mould is a health risk. Particularly if you have young children etc. It either needs deep clean but that's very difficult to get done internally once it's accumulated inside, or replacing. The latter is the best way if possible. Why should you have to clean it and pay for multiple products that he could say damaged his machine. He needs to get it clean for you. Easier said than done if they're on the bad side of the landlord spectrum though

[AGTDenton]

5 washes later with both WPro & the Doctor, the smell has at least gone for now and each time the mould is coming away within the seal.
The drawer compartment is unchanged. Without a wire brush I don't think that will change, I've had enough of agitating it with a bottle cleaner.

I was in Lidl earlier and coincidently they had a stand of all the Dr Beckmann products on offer, so I took a gamble with the liquid form of their powder. This is actually more suited for the seal following their instructions loads of mould came loose. So I'm doing a further wash with the rest of the bottle and we'll see how that goes.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-Beckmann...dp/B008AITS4S/

Presume it's a rental? ....

Yes it's rental. I probably should have gone via the agency/landlord but based on past experience it takes forever for either to do anything.
I've been eager to use it whilst there's a van shortage, so all my bedding could be ready, I've had to wait until the end of this week so I can get my bed & furniture there.

You're right though if after all this it's still a problem in a couple of months I will raise it.

We had a similar problem years ago. Tried the doctor one bit didn't work that well. I had more luck with spirit vinegar and 90 degree washes.

What worked for me best though was gettinga bag of citric acid from and Asian food store and using quite a bit of that. It isn't good for the seals but if you can't get rid of the smell properly and it keeps coming back it is worth trying. I also highly recommend it for cleaning tea stained mugs and flasks.

After doing a load leave the draw out and the door open so the machine dries.

Thanks, I've been seeing the White/spirit vinegar trick more and more now - will call this the last shot before going to landlord!

[Kumagoro]

The vinegar and bicarb form an acid but I don't think it lasts long and the results were not that great. It is the citric acid that did the job. It isn't great for the seals but it should be a one time job.

Try it on an old tea mug and you can see how much better citric acid works than vinegar and bicarb. Distilled vinegar I think is better for maintenance and you can chuck it in when doing the towels.

[AGTDenton]

Well I'll be damned, the Doctors Service it cleaner has done the trick for the door seal. Really wasn't expecting any difference but it's actually got rid of it completely where I'd rubbed in the gel.
Some more loosening in the tray compartment as well.
It's finally at an acceptable level so I've put the first proper load on, which is basically all the clothes I'd originally put in, hopefully it's salvageable.

[Jonj1611]

Doesn't the tray compartment come out for a proper wash or do you mean inside the cavity where the tray compartment is?

[AGTDenton]

Doesn't the tray compartment come out for a proper wash or do you mean inside the cavity where the tray compartment is?

Ah yes the cavity is what I meant, couldn't think of correct terminology. I popped the tray into the dishwasher top shelf after scrubbing it down. It's now the newest looking part.
I'll possibly get some sort of long wire brush to really get the cavity cleaned. The bottle cleaning brush I have is too soft

[Jonj1611]

Ah right ok yes. I have always had trouble cleaning that area, its a fiddly shape in my machine and awkward to get things in there for a good clean. Long wire brush would be a good bet.

[DanceswithUnix]

This is a handy cleaning brush:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00004OCLR/

[raygdunn]

Hopefully those cleaning checks included the filter at the bottom of the machine. That area can get "interesting" too. Including the catching of the water that comes out!

I have to admit that I once found a lost garage key in the fold of the front seal of our washing machine.

Ray