How to keep your washing machine spinning

Every washing machine needs to do a great job at keeping our clothes, towels and linen-fresh and clean. So, it's important not to take your hard-working appliance for granted by making sure you give it some TLC and get a professional repair when needed. This can be done through regularly deep cleaning it, to get the best results out of each and every wash.

Here is our guide to keeping your washing machine spinning.

Ensuring that you run a regular maintenance wash means that you will be sure to regularly get great results from your laundry cycles.

A maintenance wash is a deep-cleaning cycle for your machine, and this helps get rid of any bacteria, stains, sludge or even mould that may have built upon the insides of your washing machine. It also clears out any cold water that could be leftover in the drum.

You should aim to run a maintenance wash at least once a month particularly if you are noticing little black spots or sludge build up inside the door seal.

1. Start by making sure your washing machine is empty
2. Add some washing machine cleaning solution. You should refer to the leaflet of the product for guidance on how much you need to use
3. Select the ‘cotton’ cycle on your machine
4. Press the temperature control until it reaches the hottest setting
5. Start the cycle
6. Once the cycle has completed, open the door, pull back the seal to wipe away any debris or leftover water
7. Leave the door open until everything inside dries out

A little tip from us, if you happen to run out of cleaning solutions you can make your own. All you need is these three things:

1. Use two cups of white vinegar
2. Half a cup of water
3. A quarter cup of bicarbonate soda

Make sure that you mix these well before use.

Taking care of your washing machine does not just stop at a maintenance cycle. You should also, clean your detergent drawer and filter.

1. Start by removing the drawer from the machine. You should open the drawer and pull this out as far as it can go. Make sure you keep an eye out for a catch, this will allow you to remove the drawer completely. In most washing machines, the catch is in the middle but if you're unsure, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.
2. Ensure that you have an empty sink before filling it with warm soapy water.
3. Disperse your drawer into the soapy water, removing any smaller compartments so that no corner is missed.
4. Rinse the drawer and leave to dry and once dry, reassemble the drawer.
5. Before popping back into the washing machine, be sure to wipe down the slot first.

As part of our spring-cleaning guides, we're here to provide you with some top tips on how to get your home ready for spring. Why not check out our blog on eco-friendly washing detergents.