Regularly cleaning your washing machine is incredibly important in maintaining a hygienic environment and prevents from re-soiling the linen after it has been washed. Without regular cleaning, build-up of mould, mildew, dust, dirt, and soap will form. It’s not only unhygienic and dirty, it can also be harmful to the health of the people working in the laundry.
Here are our top tips for keeping your washing machine clean and hygienic:
- Disinfect before every wash
Dirty linen touches the door rim and seal leaving traces of bacteria as you load the machine, only for you to remove the linen after the wash is completed, contaminating the freshly cleaned linen. Every time you load a machine, immediately disinfect the trim & door seals to avoid cross contamination of clean linen being removed. Always remove any PPE and wash hands when leaving the dirty area. - Clean the door seal
Front loading machines need to be cleaned regularly around the door and seal because these parts get wet during the wash cycle. At the end of the day when all the washing has been completed, use a dry cloth to wipe down the inside of the door as well as its rubber seal. The rubber seal or gasket will likely be the dirtiest part of the machine. If not wiped down and dried, water and moisture can collect, creating the perfect environment for mould to develop. - Keep the door or lid open
Once you’ve given the door and seal a wipe down, leave the door or lid open. This allows air to circulate and the machine to dry internally. - Give the machine an all over clean and wipe down
As with anything, machines become dusty and dirty if they’re not cleaned regularly. That’s the last thing you want in an area that produces clean linen. Giving the machines a wipe down at the end of the day with a dampened cloth will prevent dust from building up. - Clean the soap hopper or chemical hoses
Detergent and powders can easily build up within the soap hopper or soap drawer if not cleaned regularly. The longer it’s left uncleaned, the harder it will be to remove. That’s why it’s a good idea to flush the hopper with warm water a few times a week, giving it a wipe over to remove any scum. If you’re dosing is automatic, check the area for any spills from refilling, and check the hoses for any leaks.
