How to clean a washing machine?

How to clean your washing machine thoroughly?

Just because it’s used to wash clothes doesn’t mean the washing machine doesn’t need to be cleaned in turn. On the contrary, cleaning the washing machine is very important to avoid mold and bad odors.

Indeed, some devices, including those with front loading, often end up giving off an unsavory smell which then permeates the clothes. 10 Tips therefore presents some tips and tricks for cleaning the washing machine properly.

1. Baking soda to clean the washing machine

Baking soda is a great eco-friendly option for cleaning and deodorizing your washing machine. Plus, it will help prevent scale buildup in the washing machine.

Prevention: you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons to the laundry, during the wash cycle. This will also revive the colors of your clothes.

For a deeper clean: add 4 tablespoons of baking soda directly into the tub of the washing machine and run it empty for a complete cycle with very hot water.

2. Clean the washing machine with soda crystals

Not to be confused with baking soda, soda crystals can be used to clean, disinfect and degrease. They also have an anti-scale effect, which will be useful for properly cleaning and descaling your washing machine.

Be careful, they are more corrosive and irritating than baking soda and wearing gloves is strongly recommended! For a good cleaning of the washing machine, pour the equivalent of a glass directly into the tub and follow with a complete cycle.

And just like baking soda, it can be added to the laundry for even cleaner clothes. Just dilute half a glass of it in a cup of hot water and pour this mixture into the fabric softener drawer.

3. Products for cleaning the washing machine

For proper cleaning of the washing machine, you can use products designed specifically for this purpose. These washing machine cleaners and descalers will remove residue, scale and bad odors from the tub as well as the ducts of the washing machine.

For clothes that are always clean and to prevent bad odors from developing, it is recommended that the washing machine be cleaned and descaled at least twice a year.

10 Tips offers you below a descaler that will help to thoroughly remove residue and limescale from your washing machine.

4. Clean the washing machine with vinegar

As it is an excellent disinfectant, one can clean and remove mildew odors from the washing machine using white vinegar. In addition, it also has a descaling effect and will remove limescale residues.

Follow these guidelines to properly clean your washing machine:

• Pour a liter of vinegar into the tub of the washing machine
• Follow with a complete wash cycle, empty, in very hot water
• Repeat every 4 weeks

If your washing machine is heavily scaled up, it will need a more thorough cleaning. Still using a liter of white vinegar, pour some on the seals, the detergent and fabric softener containers as well as on the walls of the tub and empty the rest. Leave on overnight, then run a full cycle with very hot water.

5. Clean the washing machine with citric acid

Citric acid can be used as a cleaner and descaler, and is completely natural and biodegradable. Its antioxidant effect will also help remove traces of limescale and rust.

For cleaning the washing machine, pour 8 tablespoons directly into the empty tub of the washing machine, and run a complete cycle with very hot water.

Be careful, like many cleaning products, precautions should be taken when using citric acid. Wearing gloves is strongly recommended, and you should avoid combining it with soda and any products containing chlorine. In addition, it can discolor clothes: make sure your washing machine has been rinsed well after use.

6. Clean the washing machine with bleach

To properly disinfect and eliminate odors from your washing machine, especially if it smells of mold, you can opt for bleach. Pour a cup of bleach into the tub of the washing machine, then run through a full cycle, empty, with very hot water.

For visible mold on the gaskets or other parts of the washing machine, soak a white cloth or an old toothbrush in bleach, and apply it directly to the black stains. Leave on for about an hour and rinse.

7. Clean the washing machine with coarse salt

In order to properly unclog your washing machine, use this trick which combines white vinegar and coarse salt:

• Pour a liter of white vinegar into the tank
• Add 1 kilo of coarse salt
• Follow with a full wash cycle in lukewarm water

The action of these two products will remove traces of limescale as well as dissolve detergent and fabric softener residues.

8. Cleaning the washing machine with ammonia

Ammonia is an excellent disinfectant and cleaner. For dirty or moldy washing machine gaskets, mix a little liquid dish soap, a few drops of ammonia and hot water. Using an old toothbrush, thoroughly scrub the washing machine seals and any other infected parts. Then rinse with a clean sponge, and dry well with a dry cloth.

It is strongly recommended to wear gloves and to avoid breathing the vapors that this product releases.

9. Clean the washing machine with hydrogen peroxide

Oxygenated water, or hydrogen peroxide, can be used to remove limescale residues as well as to disinfect the washing machine. Just pour some into the fabric softener drawer and run a complete wash cycle, empty, in very hot water.

You can also apply it directly to parts affected by mold, including joints, leave to act for a few minutes, then rinse and dry.

Cleaning the washing machine, visitors also liked:

How to remove bad smells in the bathroom? Now that you know how to clean your washing machine how about reading our tips for quickly removing bad odors in the bathroom?

How to descale naturally? Come and read our tips and tricks to descale everything in the house in a natural way!

How to make your homemade fabric softener? Did you know that it was possible to make your own fabric softener? Here are our easy-to-make homemade fabric softener recipes.