Washing Machine Cleaner

[danceswithcats]

Hello,
I used to be here a lot, but life has changed and online time is limited.

I care for my mother now and am very dependent upon the washing machine. I've got vegan, refillable and generally awesome laundry and cleaning products from a company called refill, which is great. However, I had to have the machine repaired yesterday and the engineer said I really should run cleaner through it on a machine cleaning cycle at least once a month. He recommended a product but it looks like the sort of thing that would definitely involve animal cruelty - I've sent the following message to the manufacturers via their website

Hello,

What is your policy on animal experimentation please. If I am avoiding products tested on animals, or containing ingredients that are tested on animals, would your products be suitable for me?

Thank you,

Peter

However, I'm not hopeful.

Can anyone recommend a product that would be vegan and cruelty free? I have searched the Vegan Society's website without success. I'll try emailing them as well. I'm looking for recipes for stuff to make at home, but I think it'll need something fairly caustic.

Best wishes to everyone.

 

[shyvas]

Eco egg is the only product that I use as it's cruelty free and plant friendly:

Lightening The Load - ecoegg - The Environmentally Friendly Laundry Solution

Our ecoegg Laundry Egg is a planet friendly, skin friendly, pocket friendly replacement for both laundry detergent and fabric conditioner.

www.ecoegg.com

ecoegg Laundry Egg 70 Washes - Fresh Linen

Fantastic eco friendly alternative to washing powder. Kind to sensitive skin & the environment. Last 70 washes. Safe on delicate fabrics.

www.lakeland.co.uk

eco egg UK - Google Search

 

[KLS52]

You can use vinegar and baking soda and run a cycle with hot water. If you have a front loader, wipe down the rubber gasket as it can get moldy and accumulate residue. And leave the door open between washes.

 

[danceswithcats]

Ah, yes, thank you, Shyvas. However, that's a detergent replacement, not a cleaner for the machine. I'm looking for a degreaser/descaler, similar to the ones I've linked to. I've contacted the Vegan Society and VIva and will post back if they can help.

 

[shyvas]

Ah, yes, thank you, Shyvas. However, that's a detergent replacement, not a cleaner for the machine. I'm looking for a degreaser/descaler, similar to the ones I've linked to. I've contacted the Vegan Society and VIva and will post back if they can help.

Why don't you just use vinegar/baking soda as KL has suggested.

If you use eco egg for your laundry, there will be no build up as with classic products and you won't need to clean the machine.

 

[mialai]

Hi Peter,

I totally understand your concern—I'm also mindful about using cruelty-free and effective products. I personally use True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets, which I bought from Amazon. They’re affordable, easy to use (just pop one in the drum and run a hot cycle), and they leave my machine fresh and clean.

While they aren’t officially certified vegan, the ingredient list looks clean, and I haven’t found any indication of animal testing. I’d still recommend reaching out to the brand directly to confirm, just to be sure.

Wishing you and your mum all the best,
Mia Lai

 

[danceswithcats]

You can use vinegar and baking soda and run a cycle with hot water. If you have a front loader, wipe down the rubber gasket as it can get moldy and accumulate residue. And leave the door open between washes.

This is really good, @KLS52. I'm going to give this a try.

Hi Peter,

I totally understand your concern—I'm also mindful about using cruelty-free and effective products. I personally use True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets, which I bought from Amazon. They’re affordable, easy to use (just pop one in the drum and run a hot cycle), and they leave my machine fresh and clean.

While they aren’t officially certified vegan, the ingredient list looks clean, and I haven’t found any indication of animal testing. I’d still recommend reaching out to the brand directly to confirm, just to be sure.

Wishing you and your mum all the best,
Mia Lai

Thank you Mia Lai. That's really kind. The original company haven't got back to me, so I'm guessing the answer is no. I'm going to try what KLS52 suggested first, but I will keep your recommendations in mind.

Thanks again.