There are tons of household appliances that help make life better, like air-cons and washing machines. Washing machines are a common sight in most households, and they make doing the laundry faster and easier.
However, to ensure the effectiveness of the appliance, you should still manually clean your washing machine. Here are some easy-to-follow tips on how to clean your washing machine.
Why Do You Need To Clean Your Washing Machine And How Often Should You Do It?
After constant usage, residual chemicals and laundry detergent can stick to the surface of the washing drum and cause bacteria to grow. The bacteria can get into the washing machine’s inner mechanism and pipes, causing the water to be dirty and smelly. When this happens, even after washing your clothes, you will still end up with dirty and smelly clothes that can cause skin problems and allergies.
To prevent the bacteria from growing in your washing machine, you will need to clean the inside of your washing machine. Doing this once every couple of months can help your washing machine to work properly and ensure that your clothes are fully clean after every wash.
What Supplies Do You Need?
When cleaning your washing machine, you can try specific washing machine detergents or a multipurpose cleaner. These cleaners can work for both top-loading and front loading washing machines. However, these products may contain chemicals that can affect the machine’s mechanism. Also, if the residue gets into the laundry, it can affect those with sensitive skin.
If you want to try natural cleansing agents, you can try distilled white vinegar. It works great to sanitize the machine, get rid of odours, and the acidity of the vinegar can cut through the chemical and detergent residues. If you combine baking powder or baking soda with vinegar, you can get a more thorough cleanse, for the tiny grooves and drainage holes.
Other supplies that you may need to clean your washing machine are spray bottles, brushes, sponges, and a clean cloth.
How to Clean Each Type of Washing Machine
Cleaning Top-loading Washing Machines
Top loading washing machines can be tricky to clean because it is hard to reach the bottom of the washing drum. If you have a top loading washing machine, here is how to clean it:
- Turn on your washing machine and set the temperature level to the highest. Add in about three cups of vinegar but do not add any detergent. Stir in the vinegar to ensure that it mixes in with the water properly.
- Once the drum is full, start a washing cycle. Allow the vinegar to cleanse the drum for 5 to 7 minutes before pausing the cycle.
- Next, add a half cup of baking powder or soda into the drum. Make sure everything is well mixed and then continue the washing cycle for another couple of minutes.
- Stop the machine after a few minutes and turn off the power. Let the vinegar mixture sit in the machine for about 2 hours to soak through the dirt and grime.
- Turn the machine back on and start a regular washing cycle. This time, allow the entire cycle to continue until the water has drained out. Once the drum is cleaned and drained, clean the rim of the drum. Use a brush or a sponge to scrub the scum off the rim, and rinse with hot water.
- Rinse the machine again with hot water and let it drain out. Before concluding the cleaning process, wipe the washing machine drum with a clean, dry cloth. Also, clean the exterior of the machine and sanitize it. Leave the machine door open to air out the inside before closing it.
Cleaning Front Loading Washing Machines
When cleaning front load washing machines, there is a slightly different method than cleaning top-loading machines. If you are cleaning a front-loading washing machine, here is how to do it:
- Start by cleaning the gasket of the machine first. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and douse the rubber ring of the gasket with the mixture. Use a brush or a sponge to scrub all the build-up grime and wipe off the dirt with a clean cloth.
- For the machine drum, start with scattering a half cup of baking soda. Try to disperse the powder instead of placing it all in one area. Then, add in the three cups of vinegar.
- Close the door and start a washing cycle using the hottest temperature available on your machine. Let the cycle run entirely and drain out the water.
- Rinse the machine once again with hot water and drain it out. Finish up by wiping the drum with a clean, dry cloth and then leave the door open to air out the inside. Meanwhile, use a clean cloth to wipe and sanitize the exterior of the washing machine.
