If freshly washed laundry smells musty, it is worth taking a closer look at your washing machine. Dirt accumulates in the door seal, detergent drawer and inside the machine, and these areas need regular cleaning. With tips from fashion and lifestyle influencer Anne Melender, our Finnish SINI ambassador, you can clean the most important parts of your washing machine and keep your laundry fresh.
A washing machine takes care of your clothes, but sometimes it also needs some care itself. Simply looking inside the drum does not always reveal the whole truth: dirt may be hiding in the folds of the rubber seal or behind the detergent drawer.
You can clean your washing machine at home with just a few tools. Before you begin, check the instructions for your machine and follow the instructions provided with the cleaning products.
1. Clean the washing-machine door
Lint and detergent residue easily accumulate on the glass door of the washing machine. Wiping it regularly with a damp microfibre cloth helps to keep the glass clean, but sometimes the surface needs a more thorough clean.
For stubborn dirt on the glass door, you can use SINI Cleaning Stone. Moisten the sponge and rub it against the stone. Clean the glass with the sponge, then rinse and wipe the surface. Finish by polishing the glass with a dry microfibre cloth.
The paste also stays in place well on vertical surfaces. However, always make sure that it is suitable for the surface before use and remove the cleaning product carefully.
Anne cleaned the washing-machine door with SINI Cleaning Paste and finished by polishing the surface with a dry microfibre cloth.
2. Clean the folds of the rubber seal
Lint, detergent residue and damp dirt can collect in the folds of the rubber door seal. Carefully pull back the folds and wipe away the dirt with a damp cloth.
A small cleaning brush, such as the SINI Detail Brush, can reach narrow areas. Use the brush gently and, if necessary, use a cleaning product suitable for the seals of your machine. Finally, wipe away the dirt and any cleaning-product residue with a clean, damp cloth and dry the seal.
At the same time, check that no coins or other items from pockets have become trapped inside the seal.
It is worth checking the folds of the rubber seal regularly, as lint and dirt can easily collect inside them.
3. Wash the detergent drawer and clean its compartment
Detergent and fabric softener left in the drawer can build up over time. Remove the drawer according to the manufacturer’s instructions and wash it in the sink with a brush or Cleaning Sponge. Carefully clean the corners of the drawer and any removable parts.
At the same time, wipe the compartment into which the drawer is inserted. Washing the drawer alone is not enough if dirt remains behind it.
Rinse and dry the drawer before returning it to its place.
The removable detergent drawer is easy to wash in the sink. Remember to clean its compartment inside the machine as well.
4. Check the lint filter
Lint and small objects can collect in the filter. Its location and the correct cleaning method vary between machines, so check the instructions for your washing machine.
Switch off the machine and unplug it before cleaning. Keep a shallow container and towels nearby, as water may drain out when the filter is opened. If the machine has an emergency drain hose, use it to drain any remaining water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Remove any debris from the filter and carefully return it to its proper position after cleaning.
5. Clean the washing machine with citric acid
The internal parts of the machine also need occasional cleaning. SINI Citric Acid helps to remove limescale and deposits that have accumulated inside the machine. First check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that citric acid is suitable for your washing machine.
Instructions for using SINI Citric Acid in a washing machine:
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Add 50–100 g of citric acid to the detergent drawer.
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Run the empty machine on a 60–95°C wash cycle, taking the manufacturer’s instructions into account.
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Repeat the wash cycle with ordinary laundry detergent to remove the loosened deposits from the machine.
Wear protective gloves when handling citric acid and follow the instructions for use and protection on the packaging.
Finish the cleaning by wiping the outside of the machine with a slightly damp Universal Microfibre Cloth.
How often should you clean your washing machine?
The appropriate cleaning interval depends on how the machine is used and on the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the seal and detergent drawer regularly and clean them as soon as you notice dirt or detergent residue. Run a maintenance wash or carry out another more thorough clean according to the machine’s instructions.
Small routines help to keep the machine fresh between washes:
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Remove clean laundry from the machine as soon as the wash cycle has finished.
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Wipe away any water and loose lint left on the seal.
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Leave the door and detergent drawer slightly open so that they can dry.
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Measure the laundry detergent according to the instructions on the packaging, the amount of laundry, how dirty it is and the hardness of the water.
Keep your laundry fresh with the right care
Once the washing machine is clean, it is also worth paying attention to how you care for your clothes. Anne recommends SINI OdourStop Laundry Vinegar to freshen laundry. It neutralises odours and reduces static. Add it to the fabric-softener compartment according to the product instructions.
Visible stains should be pre-treated before washing, following the care instructions for the textile and the instructions for the stain-removal product. Anne uses the SINI Stain Stick to locally pre-treat grease and make-up stains. SINI Oxy’Clear Stain Remover can be used to remove stains from suitable textiles or to boost the wash.
Laundry vinegar helps to neutralise odours, while a suitable stain remover should be selected for visible stains.
Hang laundry up to dry immediately after washing
Laundry stays freshest when it is not left damp in a pile. Remove clothes from the machine as soon as the wash cycle has finished, shake them out and hang them up loosely to dry. Only use a tumble dryer if permitted by the textile’s care instructions.
Anne recommends a spacious drying rack with plenty of drying space and places for small items and hangers. Leave space between the clothes so that air can circulate.
Hang laundry up loosely to dry immediately after washing. A spacious drying rack also provides places for small items and hangers.
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