Washing machines work hard and need cleaning. Dirt, softener, and water can build up inside and create mould and bacteria.

This can make your laundry smell bad.

Cleaning the machine helps it work well, lasts longer, and makes laundry smell fresh. I tested three cleaners: Dettol, Dr. Beckmann, and white vinegar.

I used one cleaner per week on an empty machine.

I started with Dettol and followed the instructions.

The cleaner smelled nice and the drum looked clean.

But I could still smell a musty smell from the door seal. It was better, but not perfect.

Dettol was the most expensive cleaner at £2.99.

I tested three cleaners to find the best one.

Next, I tried Dr. Beckmann's powder and followed the instructions.

The product worked well, leaving the drum clean and the seal less mouldy.

The best part was the freshness - no musty smell at all. The machine still smelled clean after a while.

Dr. Beckmann's cleaner was also great value at £1.89.

Dr. Beckmann's cleaner was a powder.

Finally, I tried white vinegar, a popular and cheap method.

I put vinegar in the drum and ran a hot cycle, hoping it would remove odours and dirt.

But it didn't work very well. The drum looked clean, but the musty smell was still there.

The vinegar smell also lasted a long time. White vinegar might be good for light cleaning, but it's not strong enough for a deep clean.