How to clean a washing machine? If you are worried about the messiness of your washing machine, then do not worry; I will give you some such tips and methods by which you will be able to clean your washing machine very comfortably.
Table of Contents
What causes the washing machine to get dirty?
People often think the washing machine is clean simply because it has been washed with detergent and water. However, the machine gets dirty every day and can collect dirt, water stains, detergent residue, and other contaminants.
Additionally, the lid is usually closed. If you use hot water or a dryer, moisture can easily accumulate.
High temperatures and humidity are the best things for germs and molds. If the conditions are favorable, mold and germs can grow in your washing machine.
In particular, if there is a hole inside the washing tub for dehydration, mold will get into the hole and grow.
Dirt on clothes
Clothes have various stains and dust such as sweat and sebum stains, stains on the go, spilled food and spilled food, pills and fiber waste, and tissues and paper that you have forgotten in your pocket.
Soap scum
If you’re using a powder detergent, it will remain undissolved. The detergent inlet will become soap scum if you use a liquid detergent. Not only detergents but also fabric softeners. What is left behind without being washed with water turns to soap scum.
Dust
Dust tends to collect on the back of the washing machine, in the gaps between the walls, and in the washing pan, which are hard to see in everyday life. Be careful around the washing machine, which uses a lot of water. It is easy to remove when it is dry, but it becomes difficult to remove it when it comes in contact with moisture.
Water red
Hard stains can form when mineral components in tap water dry out and accumulate, such as calcium. Although it has little effect on laundry, if the laundry is contaminated with soap scum, it can become extremely hard to clean and not be cleaned by anyone but a professional.
Mold
It can be found in the washer tub backside, bottom backside, detergent inlet, inner lid. The mold feeds off dirt ranging from 1 to 4. Because the washer machine is frequently in contact with water, mold can easily grow.
Types of cleaning agents used to clean the washing tub
It is vital to wash the laundry tub at least once per month to prevent the growth of black mold, which can cause laundry to smell bad. But you don’t know the suitable detergent or how to clean it.
We will discuss the differences and benefits of the three main detergents for washing the tub.
Chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach has a strong bactericidal effect and removes mold while decomposing it.
It is the most effective cleaning agent because it also sterilizes invisible mold bacteria.
However, be careful when handling it as it produces toxic gas when mixed with acidic substances.
Also, if there is any unrinsed residue, the color of the clothes may fade. Please be careful.
Oxygen bleach
The bactericidal power is a little inferior to that of chlorine-based cleaners, but it is very foamy and has a strong ability to remove sticky dirt. Even if it is not a dedicated cleaner, you can substitute it with oxygen bleach.
Put an oxygen-based cleaner in a washing tub filled with lukewarm water and leave it for several hours after the “washing course”. After that, scoop up the dirt that has floated, rinse and dehydrate, and you’re done.
A washing machine can also be left in the “tank washing course”.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a safe and secure cleaning agent made of body-friendly ingredients.
It is alkaline in nature and neutralizes and removes acidic sebum stains and slimy stains.
Another advantage is that you can expect a deodorant effect.
It has a weaker bactericidal effect than chlorine-based and oxygen-based cleaning agents, so it is recommended for those who regularly take care of it.
However, it may not be possible to use it with the drum-type or double-layer type because it is necessary to remove the mold and dirt that have floated like the oxygen type.
It is best not to use it in washing machines where oxygen bleach cannot be used.
How to clean a washing machine?
From here I will describe how to clean washing machine step by step.
It is crucial to properly clean your washing machine.
1. Remove small parts and wash
All detergent input cases, dust removal nets and drying filters must be removed.
It may seem like you should wash it all together in the washer or tub. However, dirt will stick to small parts and remain on the clothes.
Take out small pieces and wash them separately.
It can be cleaned by simply soaking it in warm water and then rinsing it with a toothbrush.
2. Wash the washing tub
The most formidable thing is cleaning the washing tub. Even if the visible part of the washing tub is clean, dirt is stuck on the back side.
Wash the tub with special detergent or with bleach.
First, add plenty of hot water to the washing tub, detergent, and bleach.
We recommend laundry-specific detergents (chlorine and chlorine-based cleaners) for stronger cleaning power, while mild cleaning power is best achieved with oxygen-based cleaners or baking powder.
When using a chlorine-based cleaner
Add chlorine bleach to your washing machine and let it run on the course or the standard course. Let the tub air dry by removing the lid.
When using a non-chlorine cleaning agent
The washing machine should be turned on the washing course for around 5 minutes, then leave it for between 2 and 3 hours. After that, take off the dirt floating around with a dust removal net, etc. Operate normally; remove the water, and you’re finished.
A tub that hasn’t been maintained for an extended period might not be cleaned completely even after a single.
In this instance, you should use detergent repeatedly to help float the dust, and if the dust still does not float, that’s okay.
3. Wash the washing pan
The washing table is the one that supports the washing machine. Dust and hair are likely to accumulate, but it’s simple to forget about it with regular cleaning.
Clean the inside of the machine by wrapping the stocks around a hanger and wiping it off quickly.
If you move the washing machine, it will be a large-scale cleaning, but dust and hair will not collect easily if you do a quick wiping method without moving it.
4. Wipe the entire washing machine with a towel
In the final step, take a look around the entire washing machine, and take off any details like the lid, the packaging’s back, and the outside of the tub using the help of a towel. Dust and residues of detergent accumulate in areas of shade, causing imperfections.
The parts that are beyond reach are easily cleaned by rubbing them with the toothbrush.
If the residue of detergent sticks and can’t be removed, use hot water to dissolve it. Then rub it until you can remove it.
The ideal temp for hot water to be approximately 50 degrees.
If the fabric is too thin, the dirt won’t be removed. However, should it be overly warm, it could harm the washing machine, so take care.
Hi, am Sukanya Sharma, a professional blogger and writer, from Bhubaneswar. I completed my graduation from Delhi University in 2018. My expertise is in Lifestyle, Food & Health.
