05 Mar How to Clean a Washing Machine?

Keeping the washing machine clean and well will extend its life. This cleaning should be done regularly. Remnants of soap, minerals and detergent accumulate in the washing machine, so over time, you find that your clothes don’t clean as well as before. Sometimes overfilling the washer and putting pressure on the device can cause your machine to break down. There are many ways to clean laundry, but two methods are more efficient, accessible, cheaper and more feasible than the others.

The first method of cleaning the washing machine:

The tools needed to do this are:

• One litre of bleach (if you are worried about using this harsh substance and damaging your clothes, you can remove it)
• One-quarter white vinegar (Remember that mixing white vinegar and bleach is very dangerous. We don’t want to combine them.)

Fill an empty washer with warm water; imagine that you want to wash a lot of clothes. Add a quarter of the bleach and let the machine run for a minute until the bleach is thoroughly mixed with water. Open the door and let the bleach stay in the device for an hour. Finally, close the cap and start another complete cycle to drain all the bleach from the machine and not have a chance to mix it with the vinegar.

When the first task is done, start again. This time, when you fill the washer with hot water, add a quarter of white vinegar to the water and the bottom of the bleach channel. Let the machine work for one minute until the water and vinegar are entirely mixed. Afterwards, open the door and leave it again, so hot water and vinegar remain in the machine before the entire cycle starts. After cleaning the tub, spray the washers, dispensers, and the device’s exterior with a vinegar solution and water and wipe everything with a clean cloth.

The second method of cleaning the washing machine:

The equipment required for this method also includes the following:

• Two cups vinegar
• A quarter cup of baking soda
• A quarter cup of water
• A sponge for washing

Pour the baking soda and water mixture into the washing machine detergent drawer. Now pour the vinegar from the machine’s main door into the central space. Put the device in normal washing mode with hot water and after closing in the washing machine door, press the wash start button. Let the washing machine work. Vinegar and baking soda naturally break down and dissolve the mineral deposits accumulated in the washing machine, eliminating any fungus and mould. This way will clean your washing machine again, and it will breathe again.

When the washing machine is finished, clean the mould or stubborn deposits that may be stuck around and on the sides of the washing machine door with a sponge or cleaning cloth, and then rinse with water.

Washing machine detergent drawer cleaning:

 The end of this drawer masses after a while, and an algae-like layer forms on its walls. For this reason, in most washing machines, you can remove this part. Use a regular toothbrush and detergent, such as hand washing powder, to wash the container and remove debris.

Cleaning door’s rubber:

If you pull the rubber on the washing machine’s door by hand, you will notice that it usually fills under this ring with mould or residual residues of soap and washing powder due to lack of proper cleaning. If the machine isn’t cleaned after a while, it will smell foul. Some automatic washing machines have an interior cleaning program in their settings that makes them easy to clean. But for the others that don’t have this program in their settings, you have to do it manually; use a clean scotch pad and clean it thoroughly, then dried with a towel.

Filter cleaning:

The dirtiest part of the washing machine is its filter, which is located at the bottom. In this part, the hairs, lint, small pieces separated from the clothes, buttons, etc., are collected. Remove the filter and wash with the same toothbrush and detergent. 

Important points:

• Washing at a low temperature doesn’t kill the masses and bacteria build-up. Wash clothes at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius (and preferably 90 degrees) at least once a month to disinfect your device.
• Mould grows in humid environments. So always leave it open in the washing machine after washing clothes to dry well. Also, never let wet garments stay in the washing machine.
• If you use your washing machine to wash your baby’s clothes, do the washing steps, preferably every week.
• Excessive use of detergents can also cause mould. Choose the detergent amount according to the number of clothes and their dirt.
• After each wash and unloading of the laundry, thoroughly dry and clean the washer with a cotton swab.
• If your washing machine door opens from the front, be sure to clean it once a month in the same way, so that you always enjoy the smell of your good clothes when you wash your clothes, and your machine is still in the best condition and the highest quality.

These days, you will rarely find a home that doesn’t have a washing machine as its major appliance. Cleaning the washing machine, like cleaning the iron and removing the refrigerator’s foul smell, is vital because it’s good to pay attention. The important thing is that the washing machine’s cleanliness is equal to your clothes’ cleanliness. Therefore it’s better to get rid of fungi and their unpleasant odour every time you clean the washing machine and relax your mind about 100% cleanliness of your clothes.