How to solve a smelly washing machine with Dr Beckmann.

I have been a regular user of Dr Beckmann's cleaning products for almost 30 years now. Reliable and easy to use laundry and appliance cleaners that have stood the test of time, and cost very little.

Dr Beckmann also have an excellent database of washing and cleaning information on their website, including answers to the questions they are most commonly asked, and a fantastic Stain Clinic which should be able to advise you on anything you can possibly spill down your shirt.

I've been asked to share one of the questions that Dr Beckmann are asked very often, and it's one that I think everyone who owns a washing machine has definitely wondered at some point...:

Q. “My washing machine is beginning to smell, what can I do?”

Modern machines and powders wash at really low temperatures and contain gentler chemicals, which is great for your skin and the environment, but can leave residue behind inside the pipework of your washing machine. This residue is full of grime and can become lodged in warm, damp corners, where bacteria can quickly breed. This can all make your machine and even your washing smell pretty gross.

If you live in a hard or soft water area, limescale or debris can also deposit in your machine. (peat is a particular problem for me). This can make your machine less efficient and reduce lifespan, as well as actually leaving marks on your clothes.

Dr Beckmann's answer is:

Empty your machine as soon as the cycle has finished. Warm, damp clothes in a dark washing machine are an ideal breeding ground for germs, especially on a warm day or in a toasty warm kitchen. Remove the washing, unplug the machine and if it's safe, leave the door ajar to let everything dry out.

Clean your washing machine every 2 months or 30 loads - I have really tried to look after my 3 year old Hotpoint, cleaning it regularly with Dr Beckmann Washing Machine Cleaner. It has rarely even had a faint whiff and has never marked my clothes, even though the peat level in my water is often so high that you can see the sediment in a glass of water. Dr Beckmann genuinely works.

I reviewed Dr Beckmann Service-It Washing Machine Cleaner with Active Carbon when the new formulation was first released. I still recommend it as an excellent and reliable washing machine cleaner, and the one I use myself. For the best results, alternate with Dr Beckmann Service-It Deep Clean with Active Carbon, one clean every 2 months or 30 loads, whichever comes first,

The activated carbon adheres well to the dirt in your machine, and then it is rinsed away. You should notice a difference immediately.

You can find lots of other frequently asked questions, cleaning tips and the incredibly helpful Stain Clinic on the Dr Beckmann website, where you can also buy Dr. Beckmann Washing Machine Cleaner with Active Carbon (rrp £2.99 ) and Service-it Deep Clean with Active Carbon (£2.99). Order 5 products for free UK delivery.

I was paid for the time taken to write this post. You need only to look in the cupboard under my kitchen sink to know that every word is true.