Last updated on July 5th, 2022
We use our washing machine almost every day to keep our clothes clean. But this machine that cleans all the dirt from our clothes, how clean is it, really? Bet we don’t give it much of a thought very often. The washing machines we use, keep accumulating a steady build-up of dirt, leftover detergent, and minerals. This doesn’t just cause the machine to develop a strange odor over time, but there really isn’t much point to washing clothes in a machine that’s not clean itself, right?
Well, here’s how you can make sure you clean your front-loading washing machine, inside-out! Don’t worry, it’s very easy, as the machine does most of the work here by itself!
Run A Wash Cycle With Vinegar
Courtesy: wikihow
Add 2 cups of vinegar to the detergent tray, to help deodorize and clear any mildew deposits inside the machine. Ensuring that the drum of the washing machine is empty, set it on the ‘clean tub’ mode. In case your machine doesn’t have this self-cleaning feature, turn it to the longest duration and the hottest temperature setting, and allow the machine to complete its washing and rinsing cycle.
Run A Wash Cycle With Bleach
Courtesy: youtube
Add 2 cups of bleaching powder to the detergent tray, to help remove any stains and disinfect the washing machine. Set it on the ‘clean tub’ mode or the mode with the longest duration and the hottest temperature setting, allowing it to complete the washing and rinsing cycle.
Run An Empty Cycle
Courtesy: umweltbundesamt.de
The third time around, assuming that all the stains and smells are removed, run the machine on the same settings, with an empty detergent tray. This is to ensure that any remaining residue from the previous wash cycle is removed completely.
Tackle The Dirty Detergent Tray
Courtesy: speedqueen
Having cleaned the drum and the insides of the machine, it’s time now to tackle the obvious places where dirt tends to accumulate. Remove the detergent tray (and all the other trays, filters or other removable parts from the machine). Dip them all in a solution of warm water and dish soap and let them soak for a few minutes. Clean the pieces thoroughly with a sponge, once they’ve soaked in the detergent solution, before giving them a rinse with clean water. Dry the parts and replace them in their original positions on the machine.
Wipe The Door Seal And The Outside Of The Washing Machine
Courtesy: applianceexpress
Look around the rubber seal area near the washing machine door, and inspect it to see if it has any dirt or mildew deposits. If it does (which it most likely will) soak a cleaning cloth in a solution of chlorine bleach and water and wipe the seal down to remove the deposits, and disinfect it, followed by a wipe-down with a clean, dry cloth to remove any moisture or bleach residue.
A Few Handy Tips
Courtesy: rubandscrub.co.uk
–Every time you complete a wash cycle, don’t leave the clothes behind in the machine and take them out as soon as you can.
–Once you’re done using the machine, leave the door open to let the door and the drum dry between wash cycles.
–After every use, wipe the rubber seal and the drum with a dry cloth.
–Pull the detergent tray out and let it dry after every cycle.
Hope that helped!
Happy cleaning everyone!
