Mould can develop in the damp areas of the machine and on surfaces, such as the rubber door seal, limescale can build up on components deep within the machine, such as the heater element and deposits of dirt and undissolved detergent can be found spread around the machine. If there is a musty smell coming from your washing machine, try running a service wash to see if it helps. Also, clean inside the washing machine, including the rubber seal where mould and bacteria can build up, and wash out the soap drawer and filter before running your washing machine cleaner of choice through on a hotwash. If that doesn’t work, try swapping to a powder laundry detergent and reducing your use of fabric softeners (as liquid products can increase build-up). How do you remove mould from a washing machine? I put a small scoop of soda crystals in with the washing powder when I do washing. It helps to soften the water, so you need less washing powder, and it helps to stop limescale build-up, or so the washing machine engineer told me last time he came out." (Vetted by Mumsnetter Erictheavocado) Our verdict If you aim to keep your whites whiter and your pile of laundry smelling fresh every time, then it’s a good idea to keep your washing machine in tip-top condition between the service washes. Here are a few ways to ensure your washing machine stays clean and does its job: Advice on how regularly you should run a maintenance or service wash varies between manufacturers of washing machines, detergents and washing machine cleaning products. And when you run a maintenance wash will also depend on how often you use your machine. But as a rule of thumb, keep two to three months or every 30 washes in mind as the kind of frequency you should be aiming for. Some washing machines will also remind you when they need to be cleaned. What manufacturers' recommend:

If it is gunky, using Calgon (or the cheaper own-brand equivalent) really does make a difference, especially if you're in a hard water area. I never really bought into the hype, but our machine is a lot cleaner using it regularly.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter RaptorInaPorkPieHat) Our verdict It contains benzalkonium chloride to kill microorganisms, lactic acid to descale and disinfect and surfactants to eradicate dirt. As you’d expect from a staple brand such as Dettol, it also includes disinfectants. Dettol advises using this liquid washing machine cleaner every two months. Be warned; some reviewers claimed it foamed up so much that it leaked out of the machine, so follow the instructions carefully! I occasionally use the Dettol washing machine cleaner. It ensures you clean the drawers, drum and seals and leaves it very fresh. I used to do this once a month, but since I changed to using washing powder, I don't need to do it as much. I also leave the drawer open when the machine is not in use." Disfordarkchocolate Our verdict Our top-rated washing machine cleaner is the HG Deep Clean and Service-it. It not only comes recommended by Mumsnetters and experts but also is easy to use, highly effective and prevents faults in multiple appliances (including your dishwasher!). What is the best way to clean a smelly washing machine?If you're using a washing machine cleaner you won't need to use a washing machine detergent or a pre-wash as part of the cleaning process. Dettol Washing Original is a 5-in-1 washing machine cleaner that claims to eradicate bacteria, odours, limescale, and dirt and freshen your machine simultaneously. We particularly love the simplicity of this product - available in Fresh, Lemon or Lavender scents; just pour a 250ml dose into the detergent drawer and switch on a 60°C without any laundry in the drum. Job done. While this is positive in terms of energy saved, washing at lower temperatures and with less water can make it harder for a washing machine to wash away grime from the innards of the machine itself. You can use around 20% of your washing machine clear to clean the detergent drawer. Just remove the drawer and soak it in a solution of cleaner and water for around 30 minutes. Read the instructions to see how much cleaning liquid, powder and water to use.

For the eco-conscious looking to make environmentally-friendly product swaps, Ecozone’s washing machine cleaner tablets might just be for you. Non-toxic, vegan-certified and dermatologically safe, pop one of their six tablets into your machine at 60°C+ for lemony-scented freshness that’ll help your laundry to come out cleaner than ever! I've been using them to clean my machine every month for the last ten years, also using white vinegar monthly to remove limescale. My machine works and looks as it did when new. Soda crystals are gentle on laundry and recommended for delicates." (Suggested by Mumsnet user CoolaSchmoola) Give it a once over: Give your washing machine a gentle clean with a disinfectant once a week. Use a cloth or sponge with soapy water or diluted disinfectant and wipe the drum, detergent drawers, rubber seals and inside the door, cleaning all those hard-to-reach places. You may like to choose from a range of scents – the Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner, for example, is available in Fresh, Lavender or Lemon scents. Advice to owners – Pour into the detergent drawer of your washing machine and set it to wash at 60°C without a pre-wash and while making sure that there’s no laundry in the drum.Another reason your washer is more likely to need cleaning is that we’re washing at lower temperatures to be more eco-friendly. While this is better for the environment and our energy bills, washing clothes using colder settings and with less water makes it harder for even the best laundry detergent to wash away dirt and bacteria that damage the internal workings of your machine. Ultimately, this can mean your brand-new washer-dryer, predicted to last 20+ years, only lasts you 10, and worryingly, scientists have found germs, including staphylococcus, E. coli, hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus, and salmonella living in washing machines. Whenever we want to find good products, we start by asking our Mumsnet users which ones they recommend. With over 10 million users each month, we know we’re getting products that can both withstand the needs of family life and also cater for a range of different needs and budgets. Expert guidance What’s in it? – This washing machine cleaner is made up of surfactants which capture dirt, antimicrobials whose job is to inhibit the growth of bacteria and chloromethylisothiazolone which is in the mix to fight bacteria and fungi. The only other key ingredient is just there for fragrance. To get it to work effectively, mix 50ml with four litres of water and leave it to soak in the detergent drawer for 30 minutes. Then pour 200ml into the detergent drawer and run a wash programme at 60°C, ensuring the drum is empty. At the end of the cycle, wipe the rubber door seal with a damp cloth. That’s a pretty hefty addition to your to-do list, but Duzzit claims you only need to do this every three months with their product, so you might want to set a reminder. It is a 3-in-1 cleaner that uses surfactants to absorb dirt, antimicrobials to stop nasty bacteria from growing and chloromethylisothiazolone to fight mould and fungi. Duzzit claims it also combats 100% of limescale, leaving behind a fresh scent and a clean machine. Advice for owners – This washing machine cleaner is designed to be used at 40°C without a spin cycle. If you use Prism 3 in 1, grab hold of your washing machine manual to find out how to de-select the spin part of the wash programme.