Removal of sludge in the washing machine

[beej]

Wondering if there are any other options anyone has had success with, apart from filling the washing machine with hot water to get rid of the build up of sludge that ends up on the clothes from the washing machine?

[Rick]

Recently had the same issue with our washing machine, done a load of our 3 year daughters washing it came out dirtier than what it went in, I used C L R from bunnings, and it worked a treat, just normal wash cycle with just cold water, no clothing of course LOL

[mtv]

If there's a very heavy build-up of sludge, you'll probably need to remove the inner bowl to scrape it out.

[beej]

Thanks for this Rick,
Next trip to town, we'll get hold of some CLR from Bunnings. Any idea how much you used. Wifey advised me we have a 7.5 kg washing machine.
Thanks again for this Rick

[beej]

Thanks for this MTV,
I'll do that and throw some CLR in after this.
cheers

[SpankedHam]

I don't know about CLR but a lot of those miracle cleaners have a fair whack of chlorine in them. They are OK so long as you completely flush them away but I'm not sure I'd be putting them in the washing machine without running a couple of 'drum cleaning' cycles or at least a few empty washes to make sure they have been washed out of the machine properly.

[Rick]

I used 1/4 cup CLR, my machine has a clean bowl cycle, and it was a Samsung repair man that recommended CLR to me

[lsemmens]

Front loader or top loader? What sort of washing powder do you use? I'm guessing it's the cheapest stuff that you can get away with.

[TVguy]

I don't know about CLR but a lot of those miracle cleaners have a fair whack of chlorine in them. They are OK so long as you completely flush them away but I'm not sure I'd be putting them in the washing machine without running a couple of 'drum cleaning' cycles or at least a few empty washes to make sure they have been washed out of the machine properly.

+1, CLR can be a bit caustic for washers.

The "sludge" is affectionately known as SCRUD and is often a result of overuse of fabric softener. Fabric softener is an evil that plagues the industry; it does nothing but provide a waxy carrier to which oils and soil from garments adhere.
Try on the hottest wash cycle available.

[gordon_s1942]

White or Cleaning Vinegar has been used for jobs like this and although you need to rinse it thoroughly to remove the smell, its cheap and has no chemicals or additives that will cause any harm.
Google it but I think mixing Baking Powder and Vinegar together in a paste makes an excellent cleaner.

[beej]

Thanks everyone for your responses,
We'll give these options a go. My wife advises me she has only ever used "Cold Power" washing powder (not liquid form) since we bought the washing machine which is about seven years old, and has never used fabric softener. The machine is a top loader.

[gordon_s1942]

We have a Fisher Pykel 8kg top loader, never had hot water run through it , She does use a fabric softner but she doesnt always use the same brand powder.
When it got the 'colly wobbles' one day, we tried using Hot water etc but that didnt do much so out came the agitator and did I get a shock to see how much gunk was on the bottom of both the agitator and bottom cover.
Once that was scraped away, ran some vinegar/water and old bath towels through a cycle and as Top Cat was heard to say when pursued by Officer Dimble, 'Awaaaaaay we Go'.......

[ol' boy]

Its written in many washing manuals that a hot cycle, empty with Vinegar helps displace it.

Also as an extra tip, when washing use the Highest water level (if your not on tank water) not on Auto.

Ricks tip with CLR sounds interesting, just so long as its safe with the machine parts.

[dashinson]

Why not try a couple of dishwasher tablets in there on a Hot wash cycle, they seem to get dirty pots and pans clean enough.


Dash.

[efab]

never use fabric softener as it is an oil base, mix this with the crap and old skin cells in the wash and it grows
if you ever take out the inner bowl then try and scrape it out ... what a job. When that shit gets to a certain point it's time to buy a new machine
if you have some success using the other methods then count yourself lucky

[Dishtrackted]

We use vinegar as the fabric softener.



Also use vinegar as the rinse aid in the dish washer

both are grunge free since 83

[efab]

We use vinegar as the fabric softener.



Also use vinegar as the rinse aid in the dish washer

both are grunge free since 83

heard of people using it but never tried it.
How well does it work? and how much do you add?

[Dishtrackted]

I just fill the draw that you are supposed to use,it must squirt water in there at the right time to get it out.
It seems to work well.

[efab]

cheers

[ol' boy]

To clean a top loader, run a normal wash cycle (on hot) and place 1/2 cup bicarbonate of soda and 2 cups white vinegar in once the machine has filled with water. Let is run as usual. The bicarb and vinegar break down any grease or dirt particles and keep the hoses nice and clean

Thats what Google said

Or