Cleaning the washer

Does your washer smell? This is due to bacteria, mould and dirt caused by grease lice or dirty rubbers. Ideally, you should prevent a smelly washer. This can be done very easily by cleaning it regularly.

To keep your clothes nice and clean for a long time, it is important to clean your washer regularly. In addition to fresh laundry, regular cleaning ensures that the washer stays in good working order and doesn't get smelly.

Find out how to do that in this blog post.

4 cleaning tips for the washer

1. Grease lice in the washer

2. Washer filter cleaning

3. Washer rubber seal cleaning

4. Removing limescale

1. Grease lice in the washer

Do you see grey spots on your freshly washed laundry? That’s grease lice.

How do you remove it from your clothes?
Wash them again at the highest temperature allowed according to the care label.

How do you remove it from the washer?
Clean the washer by running an empty cycle at 95°C with a generous amount of detergent.

How often should you do this?
Every two weeks. Run a hot wash or the cleaning program to prevent grease lice. Set a recurring reminder in your calendar so you won’t forget!

2. Cleaning the washer filter

Baby socks, hair ties, coins, or festival tokens—these are typical items that can get stuck in the filter and cause problems.

How do you clean the filter?
The filter is located at the bottom right on the front of the washer. Place a towel underneath the filter to catch any water that spills when you open it. Gently unscrew the filter, remove any debris or objects, and rinse it under the tap. Do not use harsh cleaning products. Dry the filter and screw it back in place.

How often should you do this?
Once a month. If you do laundry very frequently, it’s smart to check the filter weekly or every two weeks.

3. Cleaning the washer rubber seal

The rubber seal is the perfect spot for detergent and fabric softener residue to build up, making it a prime location for grease lice to form. Small objects can also get trapped there. If you continue washing with these items stuck in the seal, there’s a risk it could tear. Fortunately, this is easy to prevent.

How do you clean the rubber seal?
Wipe the seal clean with a cloth and warm water, ensuring you get into the folds. Avoid using harsh cleaning products, as they can damage the rubber.

How often should you do this?
It depends on how often you do laundry and how much detergent or fabric softener you use. As a general guideline, clean it once a month. However, it’s wise to check after each wash for leftover items and to dry the seal.

4. Removing limescale

Limescale builds up on the heating element of the washer, especially in areas with hard water. The harder the water, the higher the risk of limescale. Water hardness varies by region, so check the water hardness in your area.

How do you remove limescale?
The best method is to use a well-tested descaler. Alternatively, you can place a dishwasher tablet in the washer.

How often should you do this?
Every three months.

Bonus tips for minimal maintenance

Prefer to spend your time on something other than cleaning the washer? Understandable. Follow these bonus tips to minimise maintenance time:

• Always use less detergent than the amount recommended on the packaging.

• Avoid using fabric softener, or use it sparingly.

• Always check pockets before putting clothes in the washer.

• Use laundry bags for bras and other items with sharp parts that could come loose and damage the drum.

• Leave the washer door and detergent drawer open after each wash to prevent mould.

• Clean the detergent drawer once a month with hot water and a clean cloth. If you wash frequently or use a lot of detergent or fabric softener, clean it more often.

• Avoid harsh cleaning products, as they can damage the washer.

Want to do something good for the planet (which benefits you and the washer too!)?

• Use a laundry bag for all your laundry. This prevents microplastics and other synthetic fibres from entering the wastewater. It also helps keep your clothes in better condition, as they won’t rub directly against the drum.

• Choose detergents made with natural ingredients and free of microplastics.