How to Clean & Descale your Washing Machine

How do I clean my washing machine?

• Lower washing temperatures and non-biological detergents do cause a build-up of soap, so wipe your detergent drawers with a damp cloth or kitchen paper as often as possible.
• Every two months, carefully pull out the drawer (check manufacturer’s instructions) and soak in hot water.
• Check your drain filters regularly for fluff, hair, lint and general debris.
• Inspect your hoses, checking for kinks and signs of wear and tear. Most manufacturers recommend changing hoses every five years.
• Keep your washing-machine’s glass door clean inside and out as dust can be a fire hazard.
• Regularly examine the door seal and remove any stray objects.
• Leave the washing-machine door ajar between wash cycles to allow air to flow and prevent mould.
• Run a maintenance wash once a month to eliminate detergent build-up. With the machine empty, set it to the highest-temperature cotton wash.
• Lower temperature washes can mean detergent residues can build up in the appliance and other parts that aren’t easy to see.

We recommend regularly cleaning the washing machine. For regular use this Super Care product works to keep the appliance and descaled and clean. If the appliance hasn’t been maintained on a regular basis then using this Super Clean product will give the product a powerful deep clean. 

How should I descale my washing machine?

If you live in a hard water area its important to regularly descale your washing machine. It’s easy to do, just follow the instructions on the packet. If you live in a softer water area descaling a washing machine may not be needed at all. However, if left in harder water areas, it can lead to the appliance not performing as it should and could result in it failing if scale builds up to a great extent. We recommend descaling every six months.

How should I clean my washing-machine pump filter?

Most modern washing machines have a filter to protect the pump from obstructions.

• Check your instructions to find where yours is and how to find the retractable pipe.
• Place a towel or two on the floor, then unscrew the filter. Remove any obstructions then wash in hot, soapy water. Replace.
• If there’s no obvious filter at the front, you can remove the kick-strip at the front of the washing machine to see if it’s hidden there. It usually clips into place with three or so tabs. You may need to use a flat-bladed screwdriver, but be very careful, because kick-strips are brittle and may snap easily.