I tested Dettol, Dr. Beckmann & white vinegar to clean my washing machine

Washing machines work very hard, and it’s easy to forget that they need to be cleaned, too. Over time, detergent residue, fabric softener, limescale and moisture can build up inside the drum, seals and pipes, creating the perfect environment for mould and bacteria. This often leads to unpleasant smells and can even affect how fresh your laundry comes out.

Giving the washing machine a regular deep clean helps it run efficiently, extends its lifespan, and ensures laundry stays fresh. I decided to test three popular washing machine cleaners from Home Bargains, including the Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner, Dr. Beckmann’s Service-It Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner Powder and ordinary white vinegar.

To keep the test fair, I performed one cleaning solution each week on an empty washing machine.

Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner

I started with the Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner, following the instructions on the bottle and running a hot maintenance cycle.

The cleaning solution gave off a fresh scent, and the drum looked clean and shiny.

However, after opening the door a little later, I could still detect a slight musty smell coming from inside the rubber door seal. It was definitely an improvement compared to before the clean, but it hadn’t completely eliminated the odour. It was also the most expensive cleaner in the test, coming in at £2.99.

Dr. Beckmann Service-It Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner Powder

Next, I used the Dr. Beckmann washing machine cleaner powder, again following the instructions and running an empty hot wash.

The cleaner impressed me, with the drum looking spotless, the detergent drawer fresh, and the rubber seal less mouldy than before.

The biggest difference was the freshness, and there was no lingering musty smell at all. Even after leaving the door closed for a while before reopening it, the machine still smelled fresh, although it wasn’t a strong scent.

It was also just £1.89 for the packet, which I thought was incredibly good value.

White vinegar

Finally, I tried white vinegar, a popular budget-friendly cleaning method that many people recommend online.

I poured the vinegar into the drum and ran a hot cleaning cycle, hoping it would naturally remove any smells and residue.

Unfortunately, this method didn’t work particularly well for me. While the drum looked clean, the musty smell was still noticeable.

The vinegar scent also lingered for a while, which I wasn’t a huge fan of. Although white vinegar may help with light maintenance or removing minor limescale, I didn’t find it effective enough for deep cleaning the washing machine.