Make sure the drum is empty. Do NOT use any cleaning agents or detergents for cleaning the drum. It can cause damage the drum of the washing machine - this applies to Tub Clean as well.
Dosing directly into the drum helps you to achieve outstanding results. In fact, if you pour the liquid into the drawer, the detergent could get lost in the washing machine pipes before reaching the drum, reducing effectiveness.
Definitely find a tablet or powder made for cleaning the washing machine. In the US the brands are Affresh, Tide (I think this is Ariel in Ireland), Glisten, and Oxiclean. After running a cleaning cycle I would check the bottom filter again and remove any gunk that came through.
Run a Self-Cleaning Cycle
Don't use laundry detergent to clean the tub of your washer.
Yes, the detergent can be put in the drum with your clothes. If you're using powder it helps to run some water into the powder before adding clothes because powder will sometimes stick to clothes if it isn't diluted first.
' The correct way to use liquid detergent If you pour the liquid detergent into your washing machines Soap drawer; most of the liquid detergent could go astray in the machines soap drawer compartment and Sump hose, completely bypassing the drum and your laundry – reducing the effectiveness of the liquid detergent.
Significantly overloading the appliances with detergent can eventually lead to too much soap buildup, causing clogs in pipes and drains. Use the correct amount of detergent to avoid this issue.
It is important to regularly clean the door and the drum of your washing machine to prevent any build-up of bacterias that can cause bad odours. It is recommended to clean the drum of your washing machine once a month.
Run at the hottest temperature or use the “clean tub” setting on the washer. At the end of the cycle, add vinegar to the liquid dispenser tray or washer tub. Use 2 cups for a front-loading machine or 1 quart for a top-loading machine.
Powerful cleaning agents that can be included in powdered detergent formulas, but not liquid forms, work to help remove mud, grass or clay stains. Liquid detergent is best used for grease or oil stains on your day to day items, because of its ability to help release and break down stains in fabrics.
Pour white vinegar into the drum
Pour one glass of white vinegar directly into the drum. White vinegar is a natural cleaner that can help to kill germs and dissolve grime. If you don't want to use white vinegar, there are several professional washing machine cleaners available.
I recommend using non-ammonia based glass cleaners such as Windex, 409 or any similar product. Just make sure it doesn't contain ammonia! Ammonia can fade the coloring in your drums over time making them look flat and dull.
Always check your washing machine's manufacturer's instructions - do not add OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover to your dispensers but add it directly into the drum of your machine.
You can measure the liquid into the Stain Eraser Ball (dosing ball) and place it at the back of the drum, on top of the load.
Adding Pods to Washing Machines
Washers with automatic detergent or fabric softener dispensers don't mix well with pods. Therefore, never place pods in dispenser drawers, only in the drum. Single-dose pods dissolve completely in both warm and cold water. However, the weather can affect the pod's ability to dissolve.
Do not reuse containers of laundry detergents or bleach. Discard these containers after you use the cleaning product. Clean all spills and drips of detergents or bleach immediately. Keep the laundry room locked so that kids can't access it.
Clean the tub thoroughly and rinse everything. Then dry the bath properly with a soft cloth to prevent limescale formation. Do not use aggressive products such as acid, chlorine, ammonia, bleach and abrasives. The latter create fine scratches, which we obviously want to avoid!
Bathtubs
Dilute laundry detergent in water to make a tub-cleaning agent that will break down soap scum, which is a mix of soap and bio-based elements like sebum and dead skin, quickly and effectively.
You can clean the drum without a cleaning agent when you use the ECO DRUM CLEAN cycle. (DO NOT USE a common cleaning agent for the ECO DRUM CLEAN and ECO DRUM CLEAN+ function.) Chemical residue in the drum may cause damage to the laundry or the drum of the washing machine.
Set your washing machine to the highest and hottest water setting. Add in four cups of white vinegar, and start a cycle. Once the washing machine is filled up and barely started, pause it and allow the water and white vinegar to soak the drum for an hour.
It's best to clean your washing machine drum every 1-3 months, depending on how often you use it. Regular cleaning stops build-up and keeps your machine working well. If you do several loads a week, clean it monthly. If you use it less often, every three months should do the trick.
The same film that can coat your clothes if you use too much laundry soap in the washer can affect your appliance as well. Detergent build-up can clog hoses, valves and other components, preventing water from draining properly.
Fighting Stains: Powder vs. Liquid Detergent
Hot water cycles: Powder detergents dissolve excellently in hot water, making them effective for white and heavily soiled clothes. Hard water areas: With ingredients that combat water hardness, powders reduce the mineral buildup better than liquids.
Liquid laundry detergent works in both top-load and front-load machines. When using a top-load machine, add the detergent directly to the drum. For front-load machines, add the detergent directly to the detergent section of the dispenser.