how to clean your washing machine.

Q: What’s warm, damp and adored by bacteria?

A: Yep. Your washing machine (awkward).

Even the most hygienic home has one secret grot trap. Over time, leftover detergent, fabric conditioner, limescale, and even clothing fibres all build up in the nooks and crannies of your machine. That gunk is a brilliant breeding ground for bacteria (and breeding bacteria = odours).

So if a foisty-smelling drum, mouldy drawer or funky socks (post wash) sound familiar, your machine’s crying out for a clean. Let’s help.

1. clean the detergent drawer.

If you’re still using liquids or powders this drawer can seriously gunk-up. 

• remove the drawer (check your manual if it’s tricky)
• scrub in warm, soapy water (washing up liquid and an old toothbrush works wonders)
• check for slimy black mould (it loves feeding on left-over fabric conditioner)
• dry the drawer and pop it back

Bonus tip: if you’re using smol laundry capsules you may never need to clean your drawer (because your capsules go straight in the drum). 

Extra bonus tip: smol fabric conditioner skips the animal fat and customers report less mould

2. drain the water from the filter tube.

This one’s oddly satisfying.

• open the little hatch at the bottom of your machine
• gently pull out the drain tube and unplug the end
• drain any water into a bowl or tray
• re-plug the tube and push it back into place

Bonus tip: keep a towel nearby in case of mini floods.

3. clean the filter.

Still under the same hatch:

• unscrew or unclip your filter and remove it
• place a towel underneath the hatch (trust us)
• scrub with washing up liquid and water to remove any lint, fluff and rogue hair bands!
• replace the filter into the machine hatch.

Bonus tip: pocket any recovered coins or jewellery. You're welcome.

4. wipe the rubber drum seal.

Mould loves this area.

• spray with smol multi-purpose spray (or use white vinegar if you’re out)
• wipe gently into all the nooks and crannies with a clean cloth
• remove fluff, hair, debris, small LEGO bricks etc

5. give the drum a deep clean.

This is the big reset. Do it monthly. It busts bacteria, limescale, and smells. 

• pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the machine drawer (detergent section)
• add 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda into the drum
• run your hottest, longest wash cycle (empty though - no clothes)

Bonus tip: this step helps your machine last longer, clean better, and give fresher smelling laundry.

quick tips for a happier washing machine.

1. leave the door open after a wash
2. wipe the seal weekly (takes 30 seconds)
3. switch to high-efficiency, low-residue detergents (hello smol)
4. clean your filter every 4 to 6 weeks
5. Never ignore weird smells. They are your machine’s cry for help