I usually put the cycle to small load on cold, add to bucket of hot water, 1 little of vinegar and about 3 table spoons of bi carb. Tip it into machine once filled with small load cold water and put it on normal cycle and let it do its thing. We've only had our machine 2 years, we do this clean every 6-8mths. Our water goes back into the sink, oh it's yucko! Safe to use as grey water though.