How to Clean Your Washing Machine with Natural Ingredients?
In This Article
Many of the household appliances we are used to in everyday life need special care and washing machines are no exception. These devices are constantly in contact with water, which may contain impurities that have a negative effect on the heating element and other internal components.
We will tell you how to clean your washing machine using natural ingredients. Regular cleaning will prolong the service life of your washing machine and prevent breakdowns, leaks and other undesirable consequences. Regular cleaning of your washing machine not only helps to keep it looking its best, but also helps it run efficiently.
Why Do You Need to Clean the Washing Machine?
This question quite naturally arises since the purpose of the device is to wash things, to clean them from various contaminants. Meanwhile, a clean and shiny drum should not mislead you, since everything that is hidden from your eyes may be in a state far from ideal. Heat and moisture create a favorable environment for mold development and it is not uncommon that unpleasant odors appear.
How Often Should You Clean It to Avoid Bad Odors?
Over time, grimy residue and mold build up inside the washing machine. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the bad smell to spread to clothes and linens despite the expensive and fragrant detergent. To be satisfied with the wash, you have to clean the washing machine effectively. Regardless of the washing machine type, front loader or top loader, we share with you a tested experience.
Every few washes, take a look at the washing machine components like the rubber seal or drum and wipe them dry. If the appliance is equipped with a lint filter, be sure to clean it regularly. There is no fixed period but once a month is a good interval.
Tips for Cleaning a Top-Loading Washing Machine
Top loading washing machines tend to collect more dust than front loading machines. To remove dust or detergent splashes, wipe the top of the machine and the dials with a microfiber cloth dampened in white vinegar. Use a toothbrush to scrub hard-to-reach places around the lid and under the rim of the seal.
To clean the washing machine when empty, you need:
- White vinegar
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush
- Baking soda
Follow the instructions below step by step to clean the washing machine with vinegar:
- Set the washing machine to the highest level and the hottest setting.
- Add four cups of white vinegar to the tank.
- Once the cycle has started, pause the machine and let it sit for an hour to allow the vinegar to soak.
- Meanwhile, wipe down the top of the device with a microfiber cloth dipped in hot vinegar water.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the fabric softener dispensers.
- One hour later, continue the wash cycle.
- Then run another wash cycle using a cup of baking soda.
- At the end of the cycle, wipe the inside of the washing machine tub with a microfiber cloth to remove any scum.
How to Clean a Front Loading Washing Machine?
Here is what you need:
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
- Baking soda
The first step is to clean the washing machine with vinegar. But before cleaning the drum, spray the seal with white vinegar and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. The rubber seal on the front of the High Efficiency (HE) washing machine collects water, hair, scum and mildew.
Set the appliance to the highest level and the hottest water temperature.
Add two cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser. Run a full cycle.
Then run another cycle on the highest level and temperature of the hottest water, this time adding half a cup of baking soda to the drum.
When the cycle is complete, wipe the inside of the drum with a damp microfiber cloth.
While you’re at it, also wipe down the front of the machine.
By doing this deep cleaning once every six months, you will have a clean washing machine.
Good Prevention Will Give Good Long-Term Results
If you follow a few simple rules, the machine will not last 7-10 years, as statistics show, but at least twice as long.
Never load too much dirty clothes. Otherwise you will soon wonder how to clean the washing machine from odors and grease, and in addition to that, the laundry pulls the drum down and, it deforms. For the same reason, washed laundry should not be left in the machine for a long time.
Dry the drum regularly. After each wash, wipe it dry with a dry towel and leave the door open.
Make sure that small items (coins, torn buttons, key rings, toys) do not fall off the clothes during the wash. They can seriously damage the device or at least clog the filter.
Shake clothes well before washing them to get rid of threads, wool, to remove dirt, hair, sand. The less small things there are inside, the longer the machine will serve.
And finally – the simplest advice: buy a washing machine with a self-cleaning function. It’s extremely convenient: the machine automatically determines when it’s time to clean the drum (usually every 40 washes). When this is done without aggressive detergents, everything is environmentally friendly.