Washing Machine Gunge!

[mayennaise]

Lately my washing has been coming out of the machine with little bits of dark gunge stuck to it! I can carefully pick it off but if I miss it and it gets rubbed in it makes a horrible grey/black mark. I suspected it came from the gungey stuff that had built up in the seal so Mr Mayo kindly cleaned the seal out and got rid of the stuff in there but as I'm still getting the 'bits' stuck to my washing I'm stumped. Any ideas please ? ?

[woofgang]

Put half a bottle of cheapo thick bleach in the machne and run it on its longest hottest cycle, that should clear it.

[balliali]

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/good_housekeeping/1224149-Help-My-washing-machine-is-making-clothes-sheets-more-dirty/AllOnOnePage

[Robinia]

I'd use a couple of cups of white vinegar instead of bleach.

[mayennaise]

Thanks all - I will try all or a combination of the above. Will report back!

[douglas9401]

Robinia's right. Once a month on the highest temp setting (with no load)

[mayennaise]

Gonna sound really thick but... white vinegar..... will I find it with all the other vinegars in the supermarket?? Only ever bought malt or balsamic before!

[woofgang]

yep, white is there alongside the brown stuff, but it may not be with the balsamic.

[chas2008]

apparently its the low temp washing that causes the problem.

[EcclesCake]

I wouldn't use bleach either.

Soda crystals and a hot wash is my approach.

[mayennaise]

Right - got mesen (Mr Mayo comes from Yorkshire!!) some white vinegar and some soda crystals. What goes where pse? and can I use them at the same time?? Have scrubbed the powder/liquid/conditioner drawer today so that is sparkly clean now.

[mayennaise]

Right - white vinegar in fabric softener section and washing soda in powder section and also in drum. Boil wash. So far so good. Machine is sparkling and I have done 2 'white' washes and apart from the occasional 'fleck' which I suspect is the last dregs of the gunge, the result is positive!

[Hopkirk]

I agree with Eccles - a washing machine engineer suggested a bout a quarter to a third of a pack of washing soda (not caustic soda) on the hottest wash without pre-wash, once a month.

Do not do whites in the next wash as it loosens some of the gunk. Best do the pets towels in the next wash.

If any bits of gunk get onto your washing do not touch it until it is dry.

[Hopkirk]

Sorry, should have read all the answers before posting.

Also leave the door open when the machine is not in use, so it dries out and doesn't stink.