How to clean the washing machine? Well, as crazy as it may seem, even a washing machine has to be washed from time to time. First and foremost, regular maintenance of the washing machine helps prevent the build-up of mold, fungus, dust, dirt, and soap deposits, which can be harmful to health and clothing and even cause a foul smell.
Cleaning is particularly important for front-loading machines because the rubber seal around the door remains wet. If you have a front loader, after each load of clothes, use a cotton cloth to dry the inside of the door and its rubber gasket. Also, keep the door or top cover open to allow air to circulate.
Some front loaders have a bolt, called a magnetic door immersion, which keeps the door open about an inch. If your car has this type of insurance, use it to ventilate the tank. And if your washing machine doesn’t have a catch, buy a catch from the secondary market, like Door-Doc, which will work on most machines.
Regardless of the type of washing machine you have, once every three months, empty it (without clothes) with hot water and a cup of oxygen bleach to disinfect and cool the inside of the machine. Well, now let’s take a look at other ways to give the washing machine a proper cleaning to avoid the accumulation of fungus and dirt.
Cleaning tablets
Many new high-efficiency washers have a cleaning mode designed to wash a load of clothes using a special tablet or cleaning liquid, thus washing the machine and clothes at the same time. Products such as Afresh Washing Machine Cleaner or Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner can be used once a month, but you should not rely solely on these products.
While a monthly cleaning of the washing machine will definitely help, the following steps should also be taken to go beyond the use of a cleaning product, and some of them are a little cheaper than peeling tablets or special liquids.
Natural cleaners
Vinegar and baking soda are amazing natural cleaners and can be safely used in the washing machine. Add a litter of white vinegar and a cup of baking soda to the cleaning mode and run the washer without clothes. If your washer has an additional immersion option, run it to allow the cleaning mixture to settle in the machine. Repeat the process with water only to remove any dirt residue.
Vinegar and baking soda do not disinfect as well as oxygen bleach, but they are much less caustic. And don’t forget to leave the door ajar between the washes so that the inside of the machine and the door seal can dry. Just make sure that no curious animal sneaks through the open door.
Scrub the seal
The rubber seal or gasket around the door will probably be the dirtiest part of the washing machine. Water and moisture can accumulate there, creating the perfect environment for mold. Use a nylon bristle brush and a solution of vinegar / baking soda to rub and clean the area thoroughly.
Separate the gasket from the washer as much as possible, be careful not to tear it, so that it can clean hard to reach places. If you still see dark spots on the seal after a good cleaning, the area may be permanently stained with mildew. Try rubbing those spots with oxygen bleach. And although it is possible to use any nylon brush to clean the washing machine, the narrow type that resembles a giant toothbrush is the best to get into tight places.
Washing the tray
Remove and clean the detergent and softener tray as well as the slot in which it flows. This area can accumulate in dirty weather which will attract dirt, which can block the washing machine.
Check the hoses
Periodically remove the hot and cold water supply pipes from the back of the washer and check for obstructions. There should be a filter to trap sand and dirt, which can accumulate and prevent washing from getting enough water to operate efficiently.
Also, consider replacing rubber hoses with stainless steel mesh tubes, which are much stronger, more durable and less likely to explode. And speaking of bursting pipes, remember to close the valves in the hot and cold water pipes when you leave your home for a long period of time; let’s say, more than a week. That way, if a pipe explodes while you are away, you won’t return to a flooded house.
How often to clean a washing machine?
A top-loading washing machine should be cleaned at least twice a year. If you live in an area of hard water, you should clean it every three months to avoid mineral deposits. Top load washers and high-efficiency front-load washers consume much less water than standard machines and should be cleaned more frequently, usually every month. The washing machine must be cleaned more frequently if you have very dirty clothes or you live in a hot and humid area (where mould will be more problematic). In addition to cleaning the drum of the washing machine, each regulator must be cleaned every month for up to six weeks to function properly.
What you need
- Consumables Chlorine bleach
- Distilled white vinegar
- Soft clothes
How to clean a top-loading washing machine?
To clean a top-loading standard washing machine, make sure there are no dirty clothes or detergent or softener in any dispenser. Do not add any detergent to the washing machine during this process. Make sure not to add bleach and vinegar at the same time, as they could produce toxic gaseous chlorine, which is dangerous even in small quantities. If you have an exhaust fan in the wash area, turn it on or open the windows to ensure good ventilation.
Fill the washer with warm water.
Use the washer settings to fill the washer drum with hot water, stopping it before it is shaken. Use the warmest temperature setting on the machine.
Add chlorine bleach
Add 1 liter of chlorine bleach to hot water, but without detergent.
Perform a complete wash and spin cycle.
Let the washer run the wash and spin cycle for a longer time and perform a thorough rinse and drain. You want to make sure the bleach is completely removed before the next step.
Fill with warm water again
Use the washer settings to fill the washer drum with hot water, stopping it before shaking.
Add distilled white vinegar
Add 1 liter of distilled white vinegar to hot water.
Perform a complete wash and spin cycle.
Run the longer wash and repeat the spin cycle and allow the machine to rinse and drain. It is over and the washing machine has just been cleaned.
How to clean a front-loading washing machine?
Front-loading washing machines require a slightly different cleaning technique because they not only house the earth but can develop unpleasant odors that are transferred to clothing. Follow these tips to eliminate both the accumulation of dirt and mold that can be formed by the use of excessive detergent and fabric softener and residual moisture in the machine after each use.
Add bleach to the dispenser
Add 1/2 cup of liquid bleach to the detergent compartment in the dispenser drawer. Also fill the chlorine dispenser compartment with chlorine at the highest level.
Perform a normal cycle
Set the washer to the normal cycle setting with hot water and allow the machine to perform a complete cycle.
Clean the gaskets and the door
When the cycle is complete, use a soft, absorbent cloth to dry around the washer door opening, the flexible gasket and the door glass. This will help remove any mold residue (which chlorine could kill). The washing machine is clean and ready to use.
Summary of the tips for cleaning washing machines and dryers
It is possible to keep the machine in the best cleaning conditions with some simple precautions and habits.
- Remove the load as soon as the wash cycle is finished to prevent clothes from having an odour of moisture.
- Perform a monthly cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner to remove odours or contaminants in the washing machine or to prevent build-up in the machine.
- Keep the door slightly ajar after each wash. This allows the air to move in the machine and helps to dry the machine.
- Remove the remains of water, detergent or fabric softener from the dispensing drawers and also keep the dispensing drawer open.
- Use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the washing machine.
- Clean the filters of the feed tube, because when they become clogged, this can affect the flow of water in the cycle.
In this way, these are the various methods with the help of which you can get lots of help while you are thinking about cleaning your washing machine. The above-mentioned methods are undoubtedly the best methods you would ever get. The above-mentioned methods are surely useful as they are partitioned under various divisions of washing machines. Read more
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