To get your washing machine properly clean, you'll need to tackle both the inside and outside. Here's a list of tools you'll need to get hold of before you start.

-A toothbrush
-Toothpick
-Several cloths
-Bowl of hot water with washing up liquid
-Bactericidal products

First things first, pull your washing machine out if it's hidden under a kitchen counter.

Maintenance

-Check the hose and backend to ensure there aren't any holes or nicks where water could escape.
-Most manufacturers recommend changing your hose every five years. If you own an old model, consider buying a replacement hose.

Cleaning the outside

-Concentrate on the buttons first. These are likely to be ingrained with dirt, so use your toothpick to dig out all the nasty grot. Then apply some bactericidal cleaner and work the toothbrush around the buttons, concentrating on the grooves and gaps.
-Take a cloth, apply some bactericidal cleaner and wipe down the sides of the machine and the front, around the centre of the drum and down to the bottom.
-Using an old cloth, wipe down the back of the machine which is likely to be pretty grimy if you haven't cleaned it in a while!
-Check the bottom to see if there's a removable segment. If so, it's likely to be pretty disgusting, so soak it in hot water until the dirt loosens then clean it with your bactericidal cleaner and replace.

Cleaning the detergent tray

-Check to see if the tray is removable. If so take it out and soak it in hot water until the grime is loosened. Whilst it soaks you can use your bactericidal cleaner to clean where the tray slides into the machine, ensuring all pipes are free of blockages.
-If the tray is not removable use a hot cloth with bactericidal cleaner to remove as much dirt as you can.
-Use a toothbrush for hard to reach areas.

Clean the door

-Washing machine doors can get very grimy, particularly the airtight rubber seal. Use your toothbrush and cleaner to scrub down the seal, but be careful not to damage it - an old toothbrush works best.
-Wipe down the rest of the door with your cleaner, along with the edge of the machine where the door slides into.

Clean the insides

-Cleaning the insides of your machine is a little different than cleaning the outside! Firstly, select the hottest wash your machine will run.
-Pour a few capfuls of clear vinegar into the detergent tray and allow the machine to complete the cycle.
-This will disinfect the inside of the machine, but you may want to run it twice if you haven't cleaned it for a long time.

Your washing machine should now be a lot happier, and your kitchen will look far cleaner than before. You'll probably be very tired from all the scrubbing if you haven't cleaned your machine in a while. Follow these tips to ensure you won't have to deal with such a build up of gunge again!

• Run on a hot wash with clear vinegar every 6 weeks to keep disinfected and clean inside.
• Following a wash, do not close the door immediately. Wipe down the door and inside of the machine and leave the door open for at least an hour.
• Remove and/or clean the detergent tray regularly to prevent build up.
• Clean behind the washing machine regularly to stop dust settling.