Recently, Nick’s (not his real name) washing machine wasn’t draining properly and sludge was coming out of it. It turns out this was due to clogged-up grime outside the washer drum and the drainage pipe.

The dirt mainly lined the plastic tub’s outer surface and got into the indents and small crevices. A service professional used proper cleaning chemicals to get the gunk off, and managed to scrub the drum walls clean until they looked sparkling again.

Where does the icky stuff in your washing machine come from?

Detergent and fabric softener going through your clothes often leave a residue inside your washing machine, resulting in what is known as soap scum. Combined with dirt and bacteria coming off your laundry, it turns into a foul-smelling slime that sticks to the tub and could rub off on your garments.

Many people assume a washing machine doesn’t need cleaning since it is always being “cleaned” by laundry detergent on every wash. But this build-up of dirty soap scum causes it to become mouldy, smelly and slimy over time.

By cleaning it properly, you can prevent the washer from breaking down, your clothes from smelling bad after every wash, and also save energy.

Here’s how deep cleaning your washing machine could save you money:

1. Clear your drainage flow

Dirt from your clothes has to go somewhere. When it accumulates in the drainage pipe over multiple cycles and does not get cleared out, the grime begins to clog.

A blocked pipe could lead to more damage and cause leaks under the machine, which could cost even more to repair.

2. Eliminate funky odours

Bacteria from dirt lining the inner drum’s walls have a tendency to counteract with your cleaning detergent, rendering it ineffective.

Your clothes could come out smelling the same as before, or with a really bad smell that might need even more washes to get off, wasting time, water and electricity.

3. Avoid clothing damage

Apart from the bad odour, the mildew collected around the rim and inner tub could stain your laundry, leaving dark, hard-to-remove marks that force you to spend on new clothes more often.

4. Retain efficiency

Excessive mildew and mould could reach the crevices of the machine’s inner components and cause clogging. Eventually, this could wear the parts down more quickly over time.

You should deep clean your washing machine once a month, following the steps below:

For top-load machines:

• Turn the empty machine on to the hottest setting. Press start and let the basin fill with water.
• Add three cups of white vinegar while the water fills. Once the water level is adequate, let the machine run for 5-7 minutes, then stop the cycle.
• Add a half a cup of baking soda and let the machine run again for a couple more minutes, before stopping the cycle and letting it sit for 2 hours. Then turn the machine on again to drain the tub.
• Once it is slightly empty, use a sponge dipped into the same solution to scrub the mildew and grime off the machine’s rim.
• Lastly, rinse the residue off with hot water and wipe the tub dry with a clean cloth.

For front-load machines:

• Start by scrubbing the rubber seal using a wet cloth with a water and vinegar solution. Spray the ring with the solution as well.
• After a minute, wipe off the residue with a clean cloth.
• For the drum, add half a cup of baking soda and three cups of white vinegar. Set the machine to the hottest setting and run a cycle.
• Once done, fill the washer with hot water and let it run again. After it has emptied, wipe down the inside with a clean cloth.
• Don’t forget to thoroughly wipe down the rim and the insides.

Further tips

• Don’t leave your laundry to sit in the machine after the cycle is over. High humidity levels create an optimal environment for bacteria.
• Leave the machine door open for a few minutes after unloading to allow the tub to dry.
• Avoid overloading the washing machine to the point of overworking. It causes added levels of humidity to wear down the parts and start clogging the drainage pipe further.

This article originally appeared on Recommend.my – Malaysia’s #1 Home Improvement Services Platform. Recommend.my offers a safer and more convenient way to hire the best home improvement and home maintenance professionals. From flooring to interior design to air-conditioner servicing, get access to thousands of the best local contractors and professionals at your fingertips.