Freshening up a second-hand washing machine

[Marijn]

Has anybody any tips on how to freshen up a second hand washing machine.
I know for dishwashers you can buy lemon scented thingies that you put in the machine and put an empty wash on. Is there someting similar for washing machines?

[Mosaic]

Cup of bleach,pour into the soap drawer, run a long hot wash - should do the trick.

[society]

I'd use more than a cup, probably 1/2 a gallon together with some liquid detergent and a hot water wash.

[society]

1/2 gallon bleach ^^^

[Marijn]

Thanks for your answers, but have you ever put bleach into your washing machine?
I have. . .it goes mad, froths up and spews out all over the floor. But thanks anyway.

[muchlovex]

I would use Soda Crystalls, bleach (not too much bleach as that will ruin the rubber deal), and washing powder. then after that put a rinse wash for 1 cycle.

[Marijn]

Thank you. Where can you buy soda crystals and how much should you use? By the way, baby clothes will be washed in the machine, so are soda crystals safe? Thank you.

[smurfchops]

You can buy soda crystals at supermarkets, They come in a royal blue and white box and are very cheap. Good luck ! I would worry that bleach would damage a dark wash .

[welshlibranr]

I think that some soda crystals would be fine, but would never put bleach in the machine, it juste rots the seals!................

[Marijn]

Thank you everyone for your ideas. So, there isn't a ready made product then?

[jomifl]

Welshlib is right, you don't need bleach but if you feel that you want to kill every trace of life in the machine without destroying the seals then half a thimble full will be far more than enough.A cupfull is enough for a swimming pool. The alkalinity of the washing powder ans a long hot wash will kill nearly everything anyway. If you want to make it smell nice use some fabric conditioner.

[jomifl]

The ready made product is called .....washing powder

[askyourgran]

Soda Crystals are much better than bleach.

[Marijn]

Thank you. What about Bicarbonate of Soda, that seems to be used for cleaning things sometimes.

[Marijn]

Washing powder is designed for washing fabric. Mainly I'm looking for a germ killer. Perhaps I'll put a bit of Calgon into the mixture as well.

[queen 1954]

i use a product called buster sink fresh.says on the back you can use it in washing machines and dishwashers and it kills germs too.

[askyourgran]

I have some Astonish Limescale prevention tablets. One tablet is put in the drum together with your usual detergent. It seems to keep the drum clean and odour free.
I got the tablets from Kleeneze.

[Marijn]

Thank you queen and askyourgran.