How much does oven cleaning cost?

Our oven cleaning prices start from £60 for a single oven, £80 for a double oven, £60 for a combi oven, from £100 for a range cooker, and from £130 for an AGA. BBQ cleaning starts from £80. Appliance cleaning (fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) starts from £25.

What areas do you cover?

We cover Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, Essex, and West Sussex — including towns such as Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone, Canterbury, Reigate, Guildford, Brighton, Eastbourne, Chelmsford, Colchester, Chichester, Crawley, and many more.

Are your cleaning products safe and eco-friendly?

Yes. We use eco-friendly, non-caustic cleaning products that are tough on grease and carbon but safe for your home, family, pets, and the environment.

How long does an oven clean take?

A single oven clean takes approximately 1.5 hours, a double oven around 2 hours, and a range cooker or AGA up to 2.5 hours. We dismantle removable parts for a thorough deep clean.

Do I need to pay a deposit to book?

You can either pay in full when booking, or choose Pay on the Day which requires a £20 non-refundable deposit to secure your slot, with the remaining balance due on the day of your appointment.

Yes, we are fully insured and DBS-checked for your peace of mind. Our technicians are trained professionals who take care in your home.

Can you clean commercial kitchens and appliances?

Absolutely. We provide commercial oven, extractor, and appliance cleaning for pubs, restaurants, cafés, care homes, schools, and holiday lets. All commercial work is individually quoted following a site inspection.

Why Does My Washing Machine Smell? Causes & Solutions

You go to put a fresh load of washing on, open the door, and — ugh. That damp, musty smell hits you. Even worse, your clean clothes come out smelling less than fresh.

If your washing machine smells, you're not alone. It's one of the most common appliance problems in UK homes, and the good news is it's entirely fixable.

What Causes Washing Machine Smells?

1. Mould on the Door Seal

The rubber seal around the door is the number one culprit. Water sits in the folds of the seal after every wash, creating the perfect environment for black mould to grow. If you've never cleaned this seal, there's a good chance it's already harbouring mould.

2. A Clogged Detergent Drawer

Detergent and fabric softener build up in the drawer over time. This residue goes mouldy and can transfer to your clothes. Pull out your detergent drawer and check — you might be surprised (and horrified) by what's lurking in there.

3. A Dirty Filter

Most washing machines have a filter at the bottom front. It catches coins, fluff, hair, and other debris. If it's never been cleaned, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria — and a source of that drain smell.

4. Using Too Much Detergent

Excess detergent doesn't rinse away properly. It coats the inside of the drum and pipes, trapping moisture and feeding bacterial growth. Many people use far more detergent than they need.

5. Low-Temperature Washes Only

Washing at 30°C or 40°C saves energy, but it doesn't kill bacteria. Over time, bacteria build up inside the drum and on the internal pipes, causing that sour, damp smell.

6. Closing the Door After Use

If you shut the door after every wash, moisture is trapped inside. The drum never properly dries, and mould thrives in damp, dark conditions.

How to Fix a Smelly Washing Machine

Quick Fixes You Can Do Today

Clean the door seal — wipe around the inside of the rubber seal with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. For stubborn mould, make a paste of baking soda and water and scrub gently.
Remove and soak the detergent drawer — pull it out, soak it in hot soapy water, scrub with an old toothbrush, and rinse thoroughly. Clean the slot it sits in too.
Clean the filter — put a towel down (water will come out), unscrew the filter cover, remove debris, and rinse it clean.
Run a hot cycle — empty, with a cup of white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner, on the hottest cycle (90°C if your machine allows). This kills bacteria and flushes the internal pipes.
Leave the door open — after every wash, leave the door and detergent drawer slightly open to allow the drum to dry.

Prevention: How to Keep It Fresh

Use the right amount of detergent — check the dosage on the packet; you probably need less than you think
Run a hot wash weekly — even one 60°C+ cycle a week keeps bacteria at bay
Leave the door open — always, after every wash
Use powder occasionally — powder detergents contain bleach, which helps keep the drum clean. If you only use liquid or capsules, switch to powder once a month
Clean the seal weekly — a quick wipe of the door seal takes 30 seconds and prevents mould build-up

When to Call a Professional

If you've tried all of the above and the smell persists, there may be build-up inside the machine that you can't reach — behind the drum, in the internal hoses, or on the heating element.

A professional washing machine clean involves:

Deep cleaning of the drum and internal components
Descaling of the heating element
Flushing of internal pipes
Full sanitisation of the door seal, drawer, and filter

At Fordwell, our washing machine cleaning service costs just £30 and takes about 45 minutes. We remove limescale, detergent build-up, and bacteria that cause odours — leaving your machine fresh and your clothes smelling clean again.

The Bottom Line

Most washing machine smells are caused by trapped moisture, mould, and bacteria. The fix is usually a combination of regular hot washes, cleaning the seal and drawer, and — crucially — leaving the door open after every use.

If the smell won't budge, a professional deep clean will get to the parts you can't reach.

Is your washing machine past the point of a DIY fix? Book Fordwell's washing machine cleaning — just £30, across Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, Essex, and West Sussex.