maintenance wash?

I think I need to do one since I, um, never have. We use liquid detergent and I've just been reading about how this could be the cause of the funky musty smell in the drum (scummy buildup)... I tried a full hot wash last week with about 1/2 cup (or more, I just sloshed it in) of vinegar in the detergent compartment (which is nice and clean), but it had no effect. Should I use bleach instead? How much, and where do I put it? Help!

Two things to try:
Full hot wash with a full dose of biological detergent (these contain bleach)
or
Full hot wash with a mug full of soda crystals (not bicarb of soda - you want dripak ones...)


Maintenance tips - always leave the drawer and door at least slightly open.
Wipe around the door-seal regularly
Check your filter regularly if you have one.

Would go with the soda crystals as Steph said, that's what I use, also got a box of special stuff from a friend who is a washing machine repair chappie

I use soda crystals too.

soda crystals are fab. My instructions just recommend a 90 degree empty wash every month or so

I do a 90degree wash with a full dose of ariel bio.

I'll have a look for soda crystals here, I've heard them mentioned on French forums so must be able to find them somewhere! Do they go straight in the drum?

i do a maintence wash once a month on 90% with soda crystals.

I shove the soda crystals in the drawer and the drum - up to half a bag. I found it also helped to scrub the inside of the space where the drawer goes with a washing up brush - all of a sudden the fabric softener works again!