Few people know that washing machines must be cleaned frequently because repeated washing can build up deposits in hard-to-reach places. Further, over time, the laundry will not smell like fresh when it is removed from the washing machine, but rather will emit an unpleasant odor.
What follows is a tutorial on how to clean a washing machine without using commercial products. With a little time, some products from your kitchen, and some gloves, you can do it yourself.
Start by removing the door seal. It will certainly be full of mold if you haven’t cleaned it for a while. Use a cloth soaked in 50:50 water and bleach to clean the door seal.
When performing this operation, wear a pair of gloves.
If you were not able to remove the mold, soak another towel in water and bleach solution and insert it inside the seal. Leave it there for 30 minutes. Continue this operation by cleaning the rubber seal with an old toothbrush. Finally, wipe the door seal with a dry towel. You will find that mold has completely disappeared.
Put all the towels you used to clean the door seal in the washing machine and start a high temperature wash and rinse cycle. Start a second cycle after this one has finished – this time add two cups of vinegar. The bleach and vinegar in towels will sanitize and disinfect your washing machine, removing all traces of odor.
It’s time to clean the washer dispenser drawer with a solution of half water and half vinegar.
The same mixture can also be used to clean the inside of the door, especially the bottom where water accumulates during washing.
🍋 How to clean the washing machine with baking soda and lemon juice
Now that you know how to clean your washing machine with vinegar, we recommend another 2 very effective methods: baking soda and lemon juice.
Pour 1 tbls of baking soda into the washer dispenser drawer, then start a washing cycle without clothes inside. Baking soda removes the potential odor but also the detergent buildup inside the tank. Follow this method once every two weeks.
Use lemon juice only if you notice rust stains on the washing machine’s drum. Pour a cup of lemon juice into the tank and start a short wash cycle at a high temperature.
Rust stains will be removed and the washing machine’s drum will get a fresh scent.
🌊 How to keep your washing machine clean
After you have learned how to clean the washing machine, consider the following recommendations for maintaining it in proper working condition:
◾ After each wash, leave the door half-open to allow ventilation and to prevent mildew.
◾ Do not let the laundry sit too long in the drum after the washing cycle has ended.
◾ Clean the washing machine once a month. In this case, you’ll no longer use a bleach-based solution – you’ll just use vinegar to clean the washing machine.
