
Last updated on May 28th, 2024
As an appliance technician, I often encounter front loader washing machines that need more than just a basic clean. Over time, these machines can harbor bacteria, mould, and limescale, affecting their performance and lifespan. If you’ve noticed visible mould or your machine is smelling musty, it’s a clear indicator that it’s time for a comprehensive deep clean. This process is not only crucial for maintaining hygiene but also for ensuring your machine continues to operate at its best. Today, I’ll guide you through a comprehensive deep cleaning process using bleach and descaler. For those seeking preventive maintenance tips rather than an immediate deep clean, I recommend exploring our guide on vinegar washes for washing machines, which offers a gentler approach to regular upkeep.

Step 1: Checking the Door Boot
Begin by inspecting the door boot for any foreign objects. It’s not uncommon to find coins, hair ties, nails, screws, and bobby pins lodged here. Extracting these objects will prevent damage to the basket the drum rotates in; a single dislodged coin or screw for example can puncture it, resulting in a costly repair. Similarly, during the cleaning process, these items can become fragmented or dislodged by the vigorous action of chemical cleaners, potentially blocking the drain pump or migrating to sensitive areas where they may cause issues.
Step 2: Deep Clean Your Washing Machine With Bleach
Next, set your washing machine to the highest temperature and longest cycle available, excluding extra rinses or prewashes. Add approximately 500ml of generic bleach to the drum. Opt for cheaper bleach, as the more expensive types often contain additional detergents that can cause oversudsing and potentially flood your laundry. This bleach cycle aims to eliminate mould, mildew, bacteria, and remove any staining on rubber door seals.
Step 3: Using a Descaler or Washing Machine Cleaner (optional)
Bleach is highly effective at killing bacteria and removing stains, but its cleaning prowess does not extend to the elimination of limescale or mineral deposits. These deposits can originate not only from hard water but also from the detergents used. This is where the critical need for a quality descaler becomes evident. In areas with hard water, the accumulation of deposits that bleach cannot address makes descaling indispensable.
For many, running a cycle with bleach alone is enough to keep their washing machine clean and functioning well. While it’s beneficial to perform a descaling cycle when possible, it’s not always strictly necessary for achieving satisfactory cleaning results. Identifying the need for descaling, however, can be challenging without disassembling the machine to inspect the basket directly. It’s wise to lean towards descaling, but there’s no need for excessive worry.
The Role of a Descaler
The complementary roles of bleach and descaler stem from their differing pH levels. Bleach, being alkaline, excels at sanitising the washing machine by targeting a broad spectrum of bacteria and moulds, including removing mould stains from the door boot. In contrast, descalers, with their acidic nature, excel at dissolving the stubborn mineral buildups like limescale, which are immune to the effects of bleach. This acidic condition also proves fatal to microbes that may have adapted to the alkaline conditions fostered by bleach.
By using bleach and descaler in tandem, you cover a more extensive range of cleaning challenges. This dual approach ensures a more hygienic, efficient, and durable washing machine, preventing the survival and adaptation of various microorganisms. Together, bleach and descaler deliver a comprehensive cleaning solution that addresses both bacterial contamination and mineral buildup, ensuring the long-term health of your appliance.
Choosing the Right Descaler
When it comes to selecting a descaler for your washing machine, it’s important to be aware that all that glitters is not gold. Many products advertised as descalers are merely repackaged oxygen bleach, offering little in the way of true descaling properties. To ensure you’re getting an effective product, look for those containing significant amounts of citric acid, sulphamic acid, or, optimally, a combination of both. The synergy between citric acid and sulphamic acid is what sets them apart as an ideal descaling duo.
Citric acid, a natural and potent chelating agent, excels at binding to minerals and metal ions, particularly calcium, found in hard water. This ability not only allows it to effectively dissolve limescale but also to prevent its formation. Citric acid’s organic nature makes it less corrosive and safer for use on a variety of surfaces, which is why it’s a preferred ingredient in many eco-friendly cleaning products. However, its gentle nature means it might not always be strong enough to tackle more stubborn or long-standing mineral deposits.
This is where sulphamic acid comes into play. Sulphamic acid is a stronger acid with excellent descaling properties. It’s particularly effective against the toughest limescale deposits and can work in a wider range of temperatures. Its addition to the cleaning mix enhances the overall potency of the descaling process, ensuring that even the most persistent build-ups can be effectively removed.
By combining citric acid’s chelating properties with the robust descaling capabilities of sulphamic acid, you create a comprehensive cleaning solution that tackles both fresh and entrenched limescale deposits. This combination ensures a thorough clean without the need for excessively harsh chemicals, making it a safer choice for both the appliance and the environment.
For those purchasing citric acid and sulphamic acid in bulk, the cost-effectiveness is matched by their broad utility around the home. Citric acid, a natural and environmentally friendly substance, has a wide range of applications beyond just descaling. It can be used to remove limescale from kettles and coffee makers, polish brass and copper items to a brilliant shine, and even act as a natural fabric softener in laundry, eliminating the need for chemical-based products. Furthermore, its gentle yet effective acidic properties make it an excellent choice for homemade surface cleaners. Mixed with water, it can safely clean kitchen countertops, faucets, and bathroom surfaces, cutting through grease and soap scum without the harsh chemicals found in many commercial cleaners. Citric acid’s versatility extends to being an ingredient in natural dishwasher detergents and window cleaners, offering a streak-free finish.
Sulphamic acid, stronger than citric acid, excels in areas where tougher mineral deposits persist. It’s particularly effective for deep cleaning toilet bowls, dissolving hard water stains in tile grout, and restoring the cleanliness of dishwashers and other appliances affected by limescale. Its robust descaling properties make it invaluable for intensive cleaning tasks where citric acid might need a boost.


Directions for Using Descaler
If you’re using a store-bought, pre-packaged descaler, adhere to the instructions provided on the packet. For those who have opted to purchase citric acid and sulphamic acid in bulk, a tablespoon of each added to the soap drawer is sufficient. Opt for the highest available wash temperature on the longest wash cycle.
The use of citric acid requires careful moderation. While beneficial for descaling, excessive use can compromise the washing machine’s rubber components. Notably, the door seal may become overly soft, increasing the risk of it detaching from the machine’s front. Typically, the rubber regains its normal firmness after several wash cycles. Excessive citric acid can also cause permanent white stains on rubber parts, such as the door seal. Finding the right balance between effective descaling and preserving the machine’s components is crucial for its longevity and performance.
Step 3: Cleaning the Soap Drawer
Soap drawers are common places for the accumulation of mould and soap scum. To clean, gently pull the drawer out to its full extension; you should find a button or release mechanism that allows you to completely remove it. Use Jif, a cloth, and a toothbrush for a thorough cleaning, ensuring you reach all the small spaces and corners. Additionally, inspect and clean the cavity from which the drawer was removed, applying Jif and using the toothbrush to scrub both the compartment and the water inlets on the top of the compartment, which are particularly prone to mould.
For a less hands on approach, particularly effective against mould, consider using a hand sprayer filled with either undiluted bleach or a solution diluted to 50%. Directly spray the problematic areas and allow the solution to work its magic for 24 hours, repeating the process if necessary. Be aware that bleach will quickly damage internal metal components of the sprayer, so be sure to rinse it thoroughly after use. For a comprehensive clean, the soap drawer itself can be immersed in a bleach solution, offering a simple way to address heavy buildup. Should you come across scale buildup that doesn’t hinder the drawer’s functionality, it may be wise to leave it untreated. The aggressive acids required for removal could introduce unnecessary risks without providing proportional benefits.
Step 4: Removing and Cleaning the Drain Pump Filter (Not Recommended)
This step is generally not recommended unless you’re experiencing issues with water drainage. Removing the drain pump filter can sometimes cause more problems than it solves. If necessary, follow our detailed guide for this process, understanding the risks involved.
Step 5: Drum Clean Cycle
With our cleaning tasks complete, it’s time to perform one last cycle to ensure all residual traces are removed. If your washing machine is equipped with a drum clean cycle, now is the moment to use it – simply select this option and start the cycle. When your washer next signals it’s time for a drum clean, you’ll know it’s time to go through this cleaning process again. For machines without this feature, choose a standard wash cycle at the highest temperature setting available to thoroughly cleanse the drum.
By following these steps, you’ve not only tackled visible dirt, mould and grime but also preventing the buildup of harmful bacteria and limescale. Remember, the key to a clean washing machine is consistent care and the right cleaning agents.