April 2nd, 2020 by Becky Calvert

Spring cleaning is something many of us o every year. We deep clean every room in our home, get organised and even clean things we wouldn’t usually. However, many people’s washing machines are often forgotten about, when in reality, they’re one of the household appliances that get used the most often and therefore, they should probably be cleaned every couple of months or so. Not only this, but they’re really prone to becoming smelly and developing mould and soap scum build-up. If not properly cleaned, this can then start to make your clothes smell… definitely something that you want to avoid! Here are our tips and tricks to make sure your washing machine stays fresh and clean-smelling – the perfect thing to add to you spring cleaning list!

Why Is My Washing Machine Smelly?

First things first, you need to know what causes that awful smell. If you think about it, a washing machine sees a lot of germs and bacteria as its sole purpose is to remove germs and bacteria from your clothes. As a result, a build-up of bacteria can be one of the reasons why your washing machine is starting to smell – especially if you’re washing clothes that have large amounts of pet hair on them, as this can clog the filter and cause nasty odours to form.

Another reason is down to mould and soap scum. This usually starts to appear in the washing machine drawer and inside the rubber sealant at the opening of your washing machine. This mould can be thick and really smelly and is a common problem in households. One of the main reasons it forms is due to the constant moisture the rubber sealant has, and with it being constantly warm and wet, it provides the perfect climate for mould to grow.  

The internal system can also become mouldy and develop nasty smells, so even you can smell a foul odour but there’s no mould insight – it’s probably coming from deep within your washing machine’s pipes.

How Do I Remove the Mould?

When doing a washing machine deep clean, you’ll want to start with the mould. Remove the drawer and place it in some hot and soapy water and allow to soak for a few minutes before giving it a good scrub. You should then tackle the rubber sealant. This can be particularly difficult to clean as you really have to pull the rubber seal back and give it a good scrub with a sponge that’s able to reach every of the circle!

If you’re having trouble removing really stubborn mould, try using some diluted bleach to lift the mould slightly – making sure that you’re not using too much and thoroughly rinse the area before using the washing machine again… the last thing you want is bleach on your clothes! Alternatively, you can try using a mix of lemon juice, white wine vinegar and water for a more natural cleaning option.

How Do I Clean the Internal System?

For obvious reasons, cleaning the internal system is tricky. You can’t get to it and it can be frustrating that you can’t actually see what needs cleaning. The internal system will also develop limescale over time, which if left untreated, can cause the washing machine to start to work inefficiently. Pro-Kleen’s Washing Machine Cleaner & Descaler is a 2-in1 formula that will deeply clean the internal system and work to remove stubborn limescale too! It’s also super easy to use, all you need to do is add 100ml into your detergent drawer and run on a warm/hot cycle and it will eliminate the nasty odours that are trapped deep inside.

If your problem is that your clothes are coming out of the wash and not smelling nice – this is probably down to the internal system too and therefore, Pro-Kleen’s Washing Machine Cleaner is the perfect product for you, too!

How Do I Prevent the Mould and Odours from Coming Back?

Simply put you need to keep on top of it! Every couple of months (once a month if you have time) give your washing machine drawer a quick clean and go around the rubber sealant with a sponge to prevent any mould from developing. Creating this routine is sure to help clean your washing machine clean and fresh.

We also recommend that you keep the washing machine drawer open for at least half an hour after every use. This will allow some of the moisture and steam to escape, which will make the washing machine a less damp environment and help to prevent mould from growing back.

In terms of the internal system – this needs to be treated every 2 months or so. Pro-Kleen’s Washing Machine Cleaner comes in 5L bottle and with you only needing 100ml per treatment, it not only offers incredible value for money, but you can also make sure that you have the perfect product stocked in your home to prevent nasty odours and to keep your clothes fresh and clean all year long!