Nancy Birtwhistle's ultimate guide to keeping your dishwasher and washing machine smelling fresh
Are your clothes starting to smell funky? Do your dishes come out marked? Well worry no more, as our cleaning goddess Nancy Birtwhistle has the secret receipe you need to make sure your washing machine and dishwasher smell fresh and sparkling clean every time!
1) HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE:
Required: ½ tsp xanthan gum , 1 tbsp vegetable glycerine , 4 tsp green bleach (sodium percarbonate) 150ml just boiled water
Method: If the washing machine begins to smell, if laundry is coming out of the machine with grey or brown marks and if the detergent drawer and rubber door seal is stained by mould, lime-scale and grey slimy soap scum it’s in need of a clean.
Remove the detergent dispenser and use a spray of Pure Magic to destroy any mould, soap scum and lime-scale build up. Inside the housing can be problematic too, so a spray of pure magic and an old toothbrush will quickly clean up the water jets that may be inhibited by lime-scale build up. Pure Magic will also kill any mould spores.
Remove the filter – often located at the bottom right hand side of the machine. I slot a lipped baking sheet underneath because it will discharge water as it is unscrewed. You may be surprised to find the odd button, coin, flakes of lime-scale and loose fibres. Clean the filter and replace.
The rubber door seal can harbour soap scum and mould and as the mould will stain and can look unsightly and create odour. A spray with Pure Magic will destroy mould spores but will not remove the residual black staining. I have a new eco planet friendly recipe here to share that will clean up that ugly mould. I decided I needed a thick foam – liquids will simply run off the rubber seal and into the machine.
2) HOW TO ERADICATE DISHWASHER SMELLS:
Required: Sink brush or cloth, 2 tbsp washing soda (optional, if greasy), 4 tbsp citric acid Method: Start by removing the filter and basket - usually located at the bottom of the machine - and remove any food debris caught up in there, then rinse the filter. If it is really greasy, drop it into the sink, add the washing soda and pour over hot water. Leave to soak for 10 minutes, then clean using a sink brush or cloth. Replace the filter then sprinkle over the citric acid. Close the dishwasher door and choose a 60°C cycle. Your dishwasher will be clean, fresh and sparkling.
3) HOW CAN WE KEEP THE DISHWASHER FRESH BETWEEN DEEP CLEANS?:
Required: Eco-friendly washing up liquid, 3-4 spent lemon halves, an old toothbrush. Method: Use a bowl of hot water and eco-friendly washing up liquid to break down the grease and grime, and an old toothbrush to scrub the filter parts. Then put the dishwasher on a hot cycle, with spent lemon halves on the top shelf of the dishwasher (remove the pips).
TOP TIP: If you have no lemons, use 4tbsp Pure Magic.