How often should you clean your washing machine?

Keeping your washing machine clean is important to ensure that your clothes are properly cleaned during each wash to keep the machine running smoothly and prevent blockages.

The Importance Of Cleaning Your Washing Machine Regularly

Contrary to popular belief, washing machines are not self-cleaning. It's quite the opposite - a dirty washing machine is a breeding ground for bacteria and other unpleasant things like mould, mildew and soap scum. These microscopic organisms can cause health problems if left to flourish in your machine.

There are some obvious signs that your clothes aren't being washed properly because the machine needs cleaning: they smell musty or like mildew; they look dingy or faded; they don't feel or look clean when you take them out of the machine.

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?

Regularly cleaning your washer will help keep it running well and ensure your clothes stay fresh-smelling and stain-free. Generally, you should clean your washing machine every one to two months.

If your washing machine has a maintenance or clean cycle, you should just follow the instructions on your machine to run this.

However, if you don't, you can simply run your machine without any clothes inside, set it to the highest temperature - usually 90 degrees, and run it on a regular wash cycle.

When cleaning your machine, you generally shouldn't put any detergent inside. You can, however, buy a specialist cleaning liquid that goes into the detergent drawer, and this will help give the machine a deep clean, disinfect the machine, and prevent any blockages in the pipes.

The Things Needed To Clean Your Washing Machine

Cleaning your washing machine is very simple and doesn't require a lot of equipment or products. Some machines have a self-cleaning or maintenance cycle that works simply by pressing a button.

Of course, depending on the area of the machine you're planning to clean, you might need a couple of extra things.

For example, the door gasket: this rubber seal on top of your door helps keep water from leaking out and prevents mildew growth inside your washing machine.

It can become stained over time and also can attract dirt and grime during each wash, so it's a good idea to wipe this seal down with a cloth and warm water after each wash, or if there's anything stuck to it such as strands of fabric or hairs, remove these as soon as you see them.

Contrary to popular belief, washing machines are not self-cleaning.

If you follow these steps, you'll have a clean and functioning washing machine that will hopefully keep performing as well as the day you bought it.