Hotpoint’s Washing Machine Cleaning Guide

Your Hotpoint washing machine works hard to look after your family, keeping your duvets snuggly and your favourite t-shirts smelling fresh, so it is important you give your machine some care and maintenance too. Keeping on top of washing machine cleaning not only keeps bad odours at bay, but it helps prolong the life of your appliance and boosts its performance and reliability.

Regular cleaning ensures any laundry appliance does its job properly – but knowing how to clean your washing machine can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this washing machine cleaning guide so that you can snuggle up with total peace of mind that your laundry day will be a breeze.

A clean washing machine or washer dryer equals clean clothes. If you’re noticing any mildew-like smell coming from your appliance, or that your clothes are smelling musty or unwashed after a cycle, it is a sign your washing machine needs some TLC.

But why does your washing machine smell? Shouldn’t it smell like laundry detergent? The reality is, the more cycles your washing machine does, it will build up dirt, limescale and soap scum in your machine, and damp, mildew and bacteria can accumulate. Residue particularly tends to build up in the rubber seal around the machine’s door and in the dispenser drawers – if you can, try to identify where the smell is coming from so you can give it an extra scrub.

The key to keeping bad washing machine smells away is keeping your appliance clean – don’t assume it cleans itself as it washes your clothes. Discovering how to get rid of smells in your washing machine is simple – a little bit of cleaning will keep everything smelling cotton fresh!

Every month, you should  clean your machine  to keep everything smelling  fresh and to enable maximum performance . From the drum to the drawers, each element of the appliance plays a key part in keeping your laundry clean, so  maintaining your Hotpoint washing machine is important. 

The rubber seal is a common culprit for trapped debris and bad washing machine smells, and it is often an overlooked area of washing machine cleaning. Clean the seal with a hot cloth and an antibacterial spray or white vinegar to clear out any debris  and keep it fresh and disinfected.

For a quick refresh of the drum, wipe around with a hot cloth and white vinegar to keep the stainless-steel sparkling, or use an expert washing machine cleaner to remove residues and deep clean the places you cannot get to. To finish it all off, run the washing machine on a hot cycle (at least 70°C) to sanitise and banish any bad washing machine smells and kill all the bacteria before allowing the appliance to air dry.

Hotpoint’s washing machine drawer will look different depending on your model, but there will be different compartments for detergent, fabric softener, and similar laundry products.  When the washing cycle has started, the detergent and softener will be drawn into the drum through the drawer, allowing your clothes to get an even and thorough clean. In machines with ActiveCare technology, the water and detergent are premixed before entering the drum for an even deeper clean.

Over time you may find build-up of detergent in the washing machine drawer, or perhaps a filmy residue left after you’ve used fabric softener. Luckily, it isn’t difficult to learn how to clean your washing machine drawer, and once it’s done your appliance will be able to use detergent more efficiently and work its magic on your laundry.

1. Remove the drawer from the machine. There may be a release mechanism that you need to push to get it out completely.
2. Allow the drawer to soak in hot water for a few minutes, depending on the level of build-up in it.
3. Use a toothbrush and white vinegar to scrub excess build-up and limescale before rinsing it away.
4. Repeat as many times as necessary.
5. Allow the drawer to air dry or wipe it with a clean, dry cloth before returning it to the washing machine.

Cleaning your washing machine filter is more of a deep cleaning task – but don’t put it off. The filter  eliminates dirt and debris from your clothes, and if it gets blocked your clothes won’t smell clean, they may have remaining detergent  left on them, and you’ll end up using more energy to do your laundry as the washing machine won’t be performing efficiently. You may also notice you have to re-wash items, or that your clothes take longer to dry because the water is struggling to drain from the drum correctly.

Knowing how to clean your washing machine filter is essential in prolonging the life of your appliance and keeping it running efficiently.

1. Unplug your washing machine and cover the floor with some towels. Place a bowl or bucket below the filter to catch any excess water that comes out of the drain.
2. Unscrew the filter cap and remove the filter.
3. Rinse the filter under warm running water to dislodge any large items or bigger pieces of debris that have been caught.
4. Using a soft-bristled brush, gently scrub the filter to remove any lint, limescale, or soap residue build-up.
5. Return the filter and replace the cap, ensuring it is screwed on tightly. Run the machine on a hot wash to give all components of the machine a final clean and sanitise. 

A clean Hotpoint washing machine is an efficient washing machine – and an efficient washing machine looks after your clothes better with less energy and water usage. Ensure your family’s favourite clothes, fluffiest towels, and softest sheets are in good hands with a little bit of washing machine cleaning and maintenance to keep everything running smoothly.