Washing Machine – 4 Ways To Maintain And Clean It
All devices in our house require regular cleaning, even if we use it to clean other things. A washing machine is one of those devices that we use frequently. A neglected washing machine may not wash your clothes as you would like.
Due to high humidity, mold and detergent residues often build up in your washing machine. You think you can ignore it indefinitely, but after a while a problem may arise causing the unpleasant odor to transfer to your clothes.
Routine disinfection and maintenance of your washing machine will not only save you from these types of problems, but also keep key parts of your washing machine in good condition.
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Washing machine – General cleaning and maintenance
A mixture of hot water and apple cider vinegar is one of the best solutions for maintaining and cleaning your washing machine. The solution eliminates bacteria and mold as well as tough stains.
It’s a good idea to use this method once a month to prevent odor and mold from forming.
Ingredients
- hot water
- 120 ml of apple cider vinegar
Tips:
- Fill the washing machine with hot water, add apple cider vinegar and select a short washing program.
- After washing is finished, open the washing machine and leave it for about an hour.
2. Filter cleaning
The filter in the washing machine is located in the center of the drum. This is probably one of the hardest things to clean and it needs a lot of attention. Below is a way to clean the filter and get rid of anything that is trapped in it.
Tips
- Unplug the washing machine, make sure it is completely empty and then remove the filter cover
- Unscrew the top cover and set it aside.
- Remove any lint, debris, dirt, and other objects from the filter.
- Then use a screwdriver to turn the turbine to eliminate any objects that may be stuck there.
- Reinstall the filter in the washing machine, correct installation of the filter will prevent water leakage.
3. Cleaning the seals
Mildew and unpleasant odors are caused by moisture build-up in the washing machine seal.
Of course, you can try to dry the gasket after each wash, but the moisture will still build up there causing problems sooner or later. In order to eliminate mold, we use the antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide and lemon.
Ingredients
- 3 liters of water
- 60 ml of lemon juice
- 240 ml of hydrogen peroxide
Tips
- Squeeze the required amount of lemon juice and mix it immediately in a bowl with water and hydrogen peroxide.
- Carefully check how the gasket is fitted, so that after cleaning it is reinstalled in the washing machine.
- Spray the places where mold is present and wipe it with a sponge.
- Clean the entire gasket thoroughly to get rid of the mold.
- Before putting the gasket back on, spray it again with the solution and wipe it dry with a dry cloth.
4. Cleaning the soap dispenser and softener
The soap and softener dispensers often have a residue, especially if you use powder detergent.
Cleaning the dispenser is simple and necessary because the substances that are deposited can stick to the walls of the dispenser and create an unpleasant odor.
Ingredients
- 240 ml of vinegar
- 1 liter of hot water
Tips
- Dissolve the vinegar in hot water.
- Dry the dispenser and place it in the solution for 10 minutes.
- Wipe and dry.
- If your dispenser is indelible, spray it with a solution and then clean it with a sponge.
How often should I clean and maintain my washing machine?
It is very important to understand that you should repeat these activities at least every two months. Otherwise, the dirt and mold will return.
In addition, leave the door of the washing machine open after each finished wash so that the moisture can evaporate.
