A Clean Washing Machine In 5 Easy Steps
The washing machine is an essential part of the modern household. Ensuring that it is cleaned thoroughly, properly, and as regularly as necessary should be a high priority for everyone. So, how do you clean the washing machine?
The secret to fresh, clean laundry does not just lie in the quality of the detergent you use. There is a lot more to it:
- Use the right detergent, meaning do not use one that contains bleach for coloured laundry
- Stick to the dosage of the detergent indicated on the package
- Sort laundry by color and fabric. Not all laundry can be washed at the same temperature
- Choose the right temperature for your laundry
- Don’t overfill the drum. If all the laundry is in a clump, the stains will stay right where they were
- Maintain your washing machine properly. That way your laundry will be cleaner and your washing machine will last longer
Why Do I Need to Clean the Washing Machine?
If the washing machine is not cleaned in time, it will start to smell. The clean laundry gets a musty smell and if you’re unlucky, stains that weren’t there before may appear.
How Should I Clean the Washing Machine?
To properly clean your washing machine, there are a few easy steps to follow:
Step 1: Run the Self-Cleaning Program
Run your washing machine’s self-cleaning program if it has one, or do a 90-degree boil wash. Of course, you should not do this with laundry in the machine. Do not use detergent, but instead use a generous splash of vinegar, or half a cup of baking soda. This will remove limescale, grease and dirt.
If your washing machine smells, put two dishwasher tablets in the drum, instead of vinegar or soda, before starting the program. This will make your washing machine nicely clean and fresh.
Step 2: Cleaning the Inside
Get some warm soapy water, open the washer door and use a damp cloth to clean the inside of the door, the rubber rim and the drum.
Step 3: The Soap Dish
Remove the soap dish and clean it with warm water. A dirty soap dish can also cause a bad smell. Sometimes the soap dish does not come out easily. In that case you should look in the washing machine manual. It will tell you how to get the dish out.
Step 4: Cleaning the Filter
Check the washer’s filter. Dirt and grease can also build up there and cause blockages.
Step 5: The Strainer in The Water Supply
Clean the strainer in the water supply hose. That strainer is near the connection of the hose that sits on the faucet. First turn off the faucet and then disconnect the hose. Now you can take out the strainer and clean it. Finally, put the clean strainer back in, reconnect the hose. Don’t forget to open the tap again!
Tips For Maintaining Your Washing Machine
Cleaning your washing machine is a time-consuming task. However, as they say: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Maintaining your washing machine regularly and taking our tips to heart can save you a lot of time. Moreover, your washing machine will last longer.
Our Tips:
- Be economical with detergent. Stick to the right dosage. Too much detergent will cause dirty deposits in your washing machine
- Open the washer door after you have done a wash
- Do not leave your clean laundry in the washing machine for too long. This prevents the growth of microorganisms and smelly laundry
- Regularly run a self-cleaning program or a boil wash without laundry