Washing Machine Cleaning Tips

We wear our clothes, they get dirty, and we wash them. This goes without saying. But are we really getting them as clean as we can if we are not also cleaning the machine that we are counting on to wash them? Many of us do not know how to clean a washing machine, but it is quite simple.

Washing machines, believe it or not, can really benefit from a good cleaning also. A washing machine that does not get the proper attention, can create problems for you, and prevent your clothes from coming out the way you want. Minerals from your water can become attached to the drum of the washing machine, soap scum can build up, and if not cleaned regularly, can cause your clothes to have an odd odor, or not be cleaned properly.

One of the best, and easiest, ways to clean your washing machine is with only a few easy to find household items. To get started, you will need:

Baking soda
White vinegar
Old toothbrush
Clean cloth or sponge

Once you have the necessary supplies, set your washing machine to the largest load size, turn the water to hot, and shut the lid. Next, follow these easy steps:

Once the washing machine has filled, open the lid. Add two to three cups of white vinegar to the hot water. How much vinegar you add depends on how large the washer is, and how often you wash it. For the first time, you may want to add the full three cups so that is can work away the buildup of soap and minerals.
After you have added the vinegar, add to the water one full cup of baking soda. The baking soda will interact with the vinegar and foam up. The foaming action will help to pull the buildup away from the drum, releasing it into the water to be drained away at the end of the cycle.
Once the baking soda and vinegar have been added, close the lid for one minute to allow them to mix into the water and disperse. Then, open the lid and let the mixture sit for at least one hour. You can leave it for longer, and again, for your first time cleaning your washing machine, two to three hours would do wonders.
While the mixture is sitting, use the old toothbrush to clean any nooks and crannies that are around the lid. Detergent wells, along the sides of the drum, and under the lip of the lid are all great places to focus your attention on.
Once the soaking time is up, close the lid, and let the cycle complete itself.
Once the cycle is complete, run it through one last time on the same settings to ensure that all the baking soda and vinegar are washed away.
Finally, run a clean cloth or sponge through the interior of the washing machine to remove any last bits of residue. Make sure to also wipe down the top of the washer, and the dials and knobs, too. Then you are done!

Build these easy tips into your routine to ensure that you always have the cleanest clothes and fabrics you can. It is recommended that you clean your washing machine once a month, or at least every two months. Depending on the water you have coming into your home, you may need to clean it more often due to larger amounts of minerals in your water that can build up faster.

These tips are easy to follow and can fit almost anywhere in your busy schedule. If you do not have the time during the day to clean your washing machine, allow it to soak over night. Get the machine to fill with hot water at night, add the vinegar and baking soda, and then let it get to work while you get to sleep. The longer it sits in the machine, the cleaner it will be! When you wake up, close the lid, and you will have it finished by the time you leave for work.