Tips for cleaning the washing machine and avoiding bad smells
To clean the washing machine you need to use cleaning products, both natural and conventional. A simple quick wash is not enough and in this article we tell you why and how to do it.
A guide on how to clean the washing machine may seem curious, since it is an appliance designed for washing clothes. However, direct contact with soap, bleach and other washing products is not a guarantee that this item will not accumulate bad odors, stains or hair.
Like other humid areas in the house, such as the kitchen and bathroom, the washing machine and the area in which it is installed can also host bacteria, fungi and viruses that reproduce easily. For this reason, in the following lines we will explain how to clean your appliance, avoid bad smells and keep it disinfected.
This way your appliance will not only look like new, but it will be much more efficient in its work.
Natural products to clean the washing machine
It's common to think that the washing machine cleans itself every time it runs a laundry cycle, but that's not the case. To clean it you need to use certain products, but don't worry: it is a very simple process that does not take too long.
In addition, the products that you can use are certainly already at home. Let's see what they are.
Sodium bicarbonate
Baking soda is a great product for removing mold and dirt that builds up inside the washing machine drum. Also, if there is an accumulation of residue from soap, detergent or bleach, among others, creating a foul-smelling paste, this product will help you remove it.
Vinegar to clean the washing machine
Vinegar to clean the washing machine? You got it right! Vinegar is also used in household cleaning, and the washing machine is no exception. In addition to helping to remove dirt that accumulates inside the appliance, it helps neutralize bad odors.
This aspect is of vital importance because it can happen that the bad smell from the washing machine starts to permeate the freshly washed clothes.
C vitamin
The vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid, citric acid is an agent present in various cleaning products. It is quite common to find this vitamin in soaps, degreasers and floor cleaners, especially those of organic origin.
How to clean the washing machine?
Now that you know the natural products to clean your washing machine, it's time to know the best way to use them. Keep in mind that hot water will be your best ally on this cleaning day , as it helps loosen the soap paste, grains and hair that usually harbor the bad smell of the washing machine more easily.
Furthermore, it enhances the properties of the natural products we have mentioned: bicarbonate, vinegar and vitamin C. This helps to eliminate more strongly the fungi and bacteria that proliferate inside your appliance.
Clean the washing machine by hand
You must refrain from putting the products in the washing machine and set the washing cycle you usually use. The first thing to do is to take a clean cloth and moisten it with the natural product you have chosen or with detergent to clean the inside, as far as you can go, with your hands.
Next, you can set the washing machine on a fast cycle so that the water reaches the drain systems and cleans them .
Don't forget the detergent drawer
The detergent drawer is where the soap tends to accumulate the most. In principle, the smell can be pleasant, but the humidity will start to create a foul-smelling paste that starts to affect the results after each wash.
The traffic of water that passes through it is not enough to remove the residues so, before starting the cycle, be sure to clean this tray with a damp cloth. Also include spaces for fabric softener. Even after this process it is possible to rinse with hot water under pressure.
Remember the filter
Many people are happy when the salesperson explains that their new washing machine has a filter that collects hair and stains from clothes. However, few know how to extract it to dispose of the grains and, in fact, it may take many years before they find out where it is.
Well, this element is very important and in most appliances it is usually easily removed. Ideally, it should be removed every week to be cleaned.
When general cleaning of the washing machine, take it out, remove the contents and disinfect with a little vinegar and hot water.
Clean the rubber parts
Rubber parts or safety packaging are usually affected by humidity and create a kind of stick that gives off a bad smell. You will notice these parts around the drum, on the lid and on the water connections. Use the damp cloth combined with a product to clean it.
Clean the outside of the washing machine
Finally, the external appearance of the washing machine should not be overlooked. Depending on where you have placed it, it is a good idea to move it from time to time and clean the floor and around it, where dust and cobwebs accumulate which can affect its performance.
For this step, use a damp cloth with a mixture of vinegar and water. If the smell bothers you, you can clean it with a floor cleaner or a product that has a scent you like.
Are you ready to clean your washing machine flawlessly?
As you can see, cleaning your washing machine efficiently isn't complicated at all. In fact, it is something fast that also has advantages for you. Try to do this cleaning at least once a month.
