Dr. Beckmann Service-it Washing Machine Cleaner

"Dr. Beckmann Service-it" is a liquid washing machine cleaner that claims to "clean, freshen and maintain against breakdowns and malfunctions".

The makers recommend that it be used every 3 months (or 40 washes) in order to rid your washing machine drum, pipes, seals, etc. of any build-up of detergent residue and grime. Also, by cleaning, to dispel any odours, and maintain efficiency by eliminating any build-up of limescale on the heating elements.

The product is to be found in the 'laundry aides' section in many supermarkets, and can be purchased direct from the manufacturer's online shop at www.acdomart.co.uk.

~ My reason for using ~

I am keen to reduce my carbon footprint and have switched most of my wash loads to 30 or 40 degrees. However, when I recently used a 60 degree cycle (with high spin speed) I was surprised to find my laundry covered in little patches of a pale grey clay-like sticky substance. On examining beneath the rubber seal that is just inside the washing machine door I was able to see the cause - a rather yucky accumulation of detergent and conditioner within the drum housing. It seems the lower temperature cycles had allowed the build-up and then the hot wash, together with a high spin speed, had dislodged some of it.

I did not research which product to use; I simply bought the first one I saw.

~ Packaging ~

The single 250ml treatment is presented in a cardboard box, mainly white, with the distinctive 'Dr. Beckmann' trademark and a see-through image of a washing machine. Looks modern and clinical!

The reverse of the box gives just three warnings a) only for use with stainless steel drums, b) always refer to appliance manufacturer's instructions, and c) keep out of the reach of children. There are also simple, very easy to follow instructions for using the product.

Inside the box is a 250ml bottle of the cleaning fluid. The plastic bottle is shaped somewhat like a tall right-angled triangle, and is bright blue with a bright pink flip cap. The cap is not childproof. Most of the important information on the box is repeated on the bottle. There is also an informational leaflet.

The cardboard box, informational leaflet and plastic bottle can all be recycled.

~ How to Use ~

The instructions are extremely simple to follow …

Step 1. Use a little of the product on a clean cloth to wipe the rubber seal around the door and then rinse with a clean damp cloth.

Step 2. Remove detergent dispenser unit and soak for 30 minutes in a solution of 50ml product diluted in 4 litres of water. Then rinse off dispenser and reinsert in machine.

Step 3. Pour remainder of product into detergent drawer and start a main wash cycle (60 degrees recommended). No washing in the machine, no pre-wash cycle and no detergent.

I actually started with Step 2 and used very hot water to dilute the product, and, while the detergent dispenser unit was soaking, I performed Step 1. The product has an agreeable odour and did not irritate my skin at all. Step 3 is very straightforward and for my machine the 60 degree main wash took almost two hours.

At the end of the procedure I was very pleased that all the detergent build-up seemed to have been removed and the machine had a pleasant fresh smell.

~ Price Guide ~

At time of writing, both Sainsbury and www.acdomart.co.uk are selling a single treatment (250ml) for £2.99.

~ Verdict ~

The product is very easy to use, and effectively removes detergent build-up, leaving the machine smelling fresh. The only slight draw back is the time required for the procedure; 30 minutes to soak the detergent dispenser unit, and then perhaps two hours for an empty wash cycle at 60 degrees (time varies by machine). I will definitely use this product again, but will do the treatment overnight so as to make use of Economy 7 electricity.

~ Additional Notes ~

"Dr. Beckmann" is the brand name for a range of specialized laundry and household cleaning products that includes familiar items such as Glo-White and Stain-Devils, and full details can be found at www.dr-beckmann.co.uk. The brand is part of the ACDOCO Company, originally established in 1919 as ACDO at Bolton, Greater Manchester by Harry Pilling, which now also markets personal care products such as Bionsen aluminium-free deodorants, and Blanx tooth-whitening products. Dr. Beckmann is himself one of the owners of this family run business. More information, together with a very interesting company history covering 89 years, can be found at www.acdoco.com.

© lml888v 2008