Look, we’ve all been there, thinking about ‘how to clean a washing machine’. You move a load of whites to the dryer and are greeted with that wet, swampy smell. It’s somewhat of a joke, isn’t it? You pay for high-end pods and scented fabric softeners, but your clothes smell like a South End basement. It feels like the machine is working against you.
But here’s the cold truth: modern washing is actually making our machines filthier. Whilst we try to be environmentally responsible and save a few quid by washing at 30°C or 40°C, we’re essentially just bathing our clothes in a lukewarm soup of bacteria and skin cells.
At those low temperatures the detergent doesn’t completely dissolve. Instead, this grey waxy sludge begins glueing itself to the back of your drum where you can’t see it. This stuff is known as “scrud,” and it’s basically a five-star buffet for mould. That sludge eventually blocks the pipes and spoils the heating element if you don’t deal with it. Learning how to clean a washing machine is not only hygiene; you want to avoid shelling out £500 for a new Bosch in six months. Honestly, a bit of basic maintenance now saves a massive headache later.
The Horror Hiding In The Rubber Seal
If you want to see the real problem, pull back the grey rubber seal (the gasket) around the door. Go on. It’s usually grim. You’ll find hair, old coins, and a layer of black, jelly-like mould. This is the primary source of that “stale” laundry smell. AI might tell you to “gently wipe it,” but if it’s been there a while, you need to get stuck in.
The best way to deal with this issue is a thick paste of bicarbonate of soda and a tiny bit of water. Slather it on, let it sit for half an hour, then scrub it off with an old toothbrush.
You’ll be amazed (and probably disgusted) at what comes off. Good Housekeeping UK always talks about the area being a hotspot, and they aren’t wrong. If you leave that mould there, it eventually eats into the rubber and causes leaks. So, yeah, get the marigolds on and give it a proper go.
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Why White Vinegar Is Actually Your Best Mate
You will see on the internet people arguing over bleach or vinegar. Look, bleach is fantastic for killing germs but what about limescale? If you live in a hard water area like most of us in London or the South East, limescale is a major problem. It coats the internal parts and makes the machine work twice as hard. You have to descale it.
Enter white vinegar. It was inexpensive, it was natural, and it removes that chalky buildup very effectively. So you pour roughly two cups of that stuff directly into the drum. Forget the drawer for now. Run it on its hottest cycle, which is usually 90°C. And no, your kitchen won’t smell like a chip shop forever; the scent disappears as soon as the water drains.
This “boil wash” is the single most effective thing you can do. As reported by experts at Which? UK, these high-temperature runs are essential for breaking down the fats and oils from detergents that 40°C washes just can’t touch.
The Detergent Drawer: A Pink Slime Factory
Take a look at your drawer. It’s usually caked in crusty powder and that weird pink slime. That slime is actually a type of bacteria that loves soap residue. Most people don’t realise the drawer actually pops right out. There’s usually a little plastic tab you press down.
Once the drawer is out, throw it in the sink with hot water and washing-up liquid. For particularly stubborn buildup, soak it in some white vinegar first. Don’t forget to look inside the hole where the drawer goes, too.
The ‘ceiling’ of that compartment is covered in black mould, as it is constantly damp. Give it a spray and a wipe. It is one of those jobs that gives you an odd sense of satisfaction when it’s over.
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Don’t Forget The Filter (Unless You Like Floods)
My mate thought his washing machine was broken when it stopped draining. He was about to contact a plumber, but I suggested that he should see whether the filter is working properly first. And guess what, he found out that there was a hair grip, three 20p coins, and what seemed like a massive ball of dog hair inside the filter. Then everything started working smoothly.
Your filter is typically at the bottom front of the machine, behind a small flap.
Caution: Place a towel down and get a shallow tray ready. When you go to unscrew that cap, stagnant water is going to come out. It’s gross, but it has to be done. Clear out the debris, rinse off the filter under the tap and then screw it back in tightly. If you do this every three months, you’ll rarely have drainage issues.
Washing Machine Cleaning Methods: Natural Vs. Shop-Bought
Now, we’re big fans of the vinegar and bicarb method because it costs only pennies. But sometimes, if a machine has been neglected for years, you need the heavy artillery.
Commercial cleaners like Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean are actually quite good because they have descalers and surfactants that reach the outer tub—the bit you can’t see. A recent test by Ideal Home compared these methods and found that while vinegar is great for maintenance, the dedicated cleaners are better for shifting years of built-in grime. If you’ve just moved into a new flat and the machine looks a bit dodgy, I’d start with a proper shop-bought cleaner first, then move to vinegar once a month after that.
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A Few “Pro” Tips To Keep It Fresh
- Leave The Door Ajar: This is the big one. When you finish a wash, don’t shut the door. Leave it open a couple of inches. It lets the air circulate so the drum can dry out. If it stays shut, you’re basically making a greenhouse for mould.
- The Drawer Trick: Same goes for the detergent drawer. Leave it pulled out a bit so it can dry.
- Ditch The Softener: Honestly, you don’t need as much as the bottle says. Fabric softener is basically liquid fat. It’s the number one cause of that waxy buildup inside the pipes. Try using half the amount, or swap it for a splash of white vinegar in the softener compartment. Your towels will actually be more absorbent that way.
- Wipe The Seal: After your last wash of the day, just run a dry cloth around the rubber seal. It takes ten seconds and stops that black mould from ever starting.
How To Clean A Washing Machine: Is It Worth The Effort?
It sounds like a lot of faff, doesn’t it? But here’s the thing. A dirty machine doesn’t just smell; it’s inefficient. Limescale on the element means the machine takes longer to heat the water, which bumps up your bills. Bacteria in the drum mean your “clean” clothes aren’t actually that clean.
By spending twenty minutes once a month on a deep clean, you’re extending the life of your appliance and keeping your clothes actually fresh. It’s one of those “adulting” tasks that pays off. Plus, there is nothing quite like the peace of mind you get when you know your machine is actually as clean as the clothes coming out of it.
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FAQs
Q1. Can I Mix Vinegar And Bleach?
No! Never, ever do this. It creates chlorine gas, which is incredibly dangerous. Pick one or the other. If you want to use both, run a full water cycle in between them to make sure the first one is totally gone.
Q2. Will My Clothes Smell Like Vinegar?
Not at all. The smell completely washes away during the cycle. In fact, vinegar is a great natural deodoriser for clothes, too.
Q3. How Do I Know If My Machine Has Limescale?
If you live in a hard water area and your towels feel “crunchy” or your heating element takes ages to get the water hot, you’ve likely got a buildup. A vinegar run will help clear it.
Q4. What If My Machine Has A “Drum Clean” Button?
Use it! Most manufacturers, like Beko, design these cycles to run at the optimal temperature and duration to kill bacteria. Just run it empty with a bit of cleaner or vinegar.
Q5. Why Does My Machine Vibrate So Much After Cleaning?
It shouldn’t. If it does, check that you put the filter back in properly and that the machine is still level on the floor. Cleaning shouldn’t affect the balance unless you’ve knocked something.
So, there you go. No fancy “delving” or “unlocking the secrets”—just a bit of elbow grease and some cheap vinegar. It’s not the most glamorous job in the world, but your laundry will thank you.
Sources & References
Good Housekeeping UK. (2026). How to clean a washing machine – expert advice on removing mould and bacteria.
Ideal Home. (2026). How to clean a washing machine: The step‑by‑step guide.
Which? UK. (2025, March). Washing machine cleaners compared – best methods for service washes and deep cleaning. Which?.
Beko UK. (2025). How to clean a washing machine using vinegar and baking soda crystals. Beko UK.
LG UK. (2025). Best washing machine cleaning tips, including drum and seal maintenance. LG UK.
Dr Beckmann. (2025). Service‑it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner – product information and usage. Dr Beckmann.
Appliance City. (2025). How to clean a washing machine – practical steps for detergent drawer, filter, and drum. Appliance City.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice or endorsement of any products or methods mentioned. Readers should use their discretion and consult relevant professionals if needed. The author and publisher are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.
