When my washing machine started to smell musty, I tested two supermarket cleaners to tackle the odour.
It’s tempting to believe that appliances which clean our belongings, such as washing machines, remain spotless themselves. Yet the truth is that washing machines are hotbeds for bacteria, mould, and unpleasant smells.
I usually prefer the eco-friendly approach of using soda crystals to freshen my washing machine.
This time, though, I needed something more powerful, as the soda crystals failed to eliminate the persistent smell emanating from the drum.
The products tested were the Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner and the Dr. Beckmann Service-it Washing Machine Cleaner.
Both washing machine cleaners were priced comparably. The Dettol version is available for £2.99, while the Dr Beckmann product costs £2.19.
Originally, I planned to use only the Dettol washing machine cleaner, but this failed to deliver the outcome I’d hoped for regarding drum cleanliness.
For application, I began by mixing one tablespoon of the washing machine cleaner with 200ml of hot water to tackle the detergent drawer, glass door and seal.
This cleaning mixture performed reasonably well at shifting solidified soap residue and minor areas of surface mould.
I subsequently replaced the drawer and emptied the remaining solution into it before running the appliance on a 60-degree wash cycle.
After the cycle finished, the drum appeared more polished, yet the smell persisted immediately upon opening the door.
Next, it was time to trial the Dr. Beckmann washing machine cleaner. Since the drawer, seal and door required no additional attention, I emptied the full bottle into the detergent compartment.
While the guidance recommended simply running a minimum 40-degree cycle, I selected 60 degrees to ensure a fair comparison.
Once the programme finished, I opened the door and encountered only a lovely floral aroma with no trace of musty odours.
Beyond cleaning the appliance, when used routinely, this cleaning product is formulated to support energy-efficient washing and extend the machine’s lifespan.
While the Dettol washing machine cleaner did demonstrate sufficient effectiveness for tackling the drawer, it fell short when dealing with the drum. Given its superior performance and lower price point, I’d suggest the Dr. Beckmann Service-it Washing Machine Cleaner.
