How to Clean Your Own Washing Machine

Washing machines are devices that you often associate with cleanliness, hygiene, and clean clothes, but even those appliances need to be clean at all times.

If your washing machine smells and is making some noise, it’s probably making your clothes smell worse than a dirty pair of socks, then it’s time to clean your washing machine.

Laundry detergent can be generin places where you cannot see soil and mineral water. This can cause mold growth in hot, humid places such as washing machines and doors. Therefore, it is very important to clean the machine regularly to avoid bad odors and keep it clean.

So if you want to get rid of bad odors, mold and residue, read on. We will explain how to clean your washing machine, learn about the different types of washing machines and how to make your own washing machine yourself.

Does your machine smell? If so, it looks like it needs a new look. Yes, that’s right, sometimes even a washing machine needs attention.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to properly clean your washing machine.

Step 1

First you need to turn on the washing machine. This is where fabric softener and laundry detergent can clog and leave residue.

This is the best place for viruses to spread. Sludge mixed with waste can cause a foul odor.

Step 2

You need to clean the drawer. There are two types of washing machines; swipe and open.

Whatever you have, you can remove both. Open the drawer fully, put one hand under it and carefully lift it over the plastic latch.

Step 3

Take the drawer in the sink and start cleaning the drawer.

You will need some warm water and soap. Use an old toothbrush to remove dead skin cells from hard-to-reach areas.

Step 4

After washing, let the cloth dry before putting it back in the washing machine. We recommend opening the drawer a little after each wash.

This allows the air to dry out the drawers and prevent moisture which will help clean the washing machine.

Step 5

Time to check your door gasket and washer gasket. This is an area that is often overlooked and where microbes like to burrow.

To clean the gasket, take a spray bottle and fill it with one part warm water and one part white vinegar. Spray the liquid around the gasket and door gasket.

Then wipe with a wet cloth.

Do not forget to go to the washing machine to remove the waste from the long wash. You may be surprised by what you find there.

Make it a habit to clean the door of your washing machine with a dry cloth after each use. Drying the area will help prevent mold and mildew growth.

Step 6 

As with detergent, leave the door of the machine a bit to ventilate the area after use.

Step 7

You should use the washing machine in your machine at least once a month. Hot wash with lime and degreaser.

Step 8

Pour the washing powder into the dishwashing bowl. Please check the manufacturer’s instructions as some may vary. You then need to put your machine in a service center (if your machine has service).

It might be worth checking your guide to see if it works.

If not, use the hottest setting available on the machine. When you’re done, you should have a cleaner that doesn’t smell bad.

Step 9

Alternatively, you could consider a DIY washing machine with all the cleaning supplies you probably have in your closet. Take two glasses of pure vinegar and pour it into the detergent bowl.

Then open the top cover of the washing machine and pour half a glass of baking soda into the drum of the washing machine.

Step 10

Close the door and set the machine to the highest cycle. After the cycle is complete, wipe the rollers, gasket and cover with a damp microfiber cloth.

Then wipe the area with a dry cloth and leave the door to let the water out.

When you finish your washing machine, don’t forget to wash the outside too!

Tools for Cleaning Your Washing Machine

You want to get rid of strong odors and accumulated bacteria in your washing machine. To make sure you’re doing the right thing, you need to have the right tools to help you do the job.

• Spray Bottle
• Microfiber Cloth X2
• Old toothbrush

Safety equipment for cleaning your washing machine

Cleaning your washing machine is a simple and easy task. However, it is important to know that you can keep yourself safe while doing this job.

We recommend using gloves, latex or calendula when cleaning the machine.

This is usually caused by a buildup of detergent filled with bacteria. You may want to consider wearing gloves to protect your hands when handling the

door cleaner.

Products for Cleaning Your Washing Machine

There are many products that can be used to clean your washing machine:

• Soap and warm water
• Lime and grease remover
• White vinegar

How to prepare your washing machine for cleaning

Preparing your washing machine Tools and supplies you need to clean your washing machine You must collect. These are listed above.

To make cleaning easier, you should do the following: Clean the

washer (this is the rubber around the drum).

You’d be surprised how much is hidden in the seal, from bubbles to coins! Wear gloves and reach out to remove loose material.

You should wear gloves as you will find it a bit sticky. Don’t worry too much about the sticky residue, you can use our step-by-step instructions to remove it.

How to prevent the washing machine from smelling

The reason why the washing machine smells is sweat from previous laundry.

As mentioned earlier, the odor is caused by soap scum, dirt and mold in the machine.

This usually builds up in your detergent and rubber seals. This combination can create bacteria, mold, which can create a really bad odor.

The only way to keep your washing machine odor-free is to follow a strict cleaning routine.

Be sure to follow these points:

• Remove dirt from the gasket.
• Remove any remaining material from the stool.
• The keeps the cleaning solution clean between blotting and wiping after each use.
• After each use, open the detergent drawer slightly to allow the drawer to breathe and prevent moisture from accumulating.
• Wipe the opener with a dry cloth, including the rubber, after each use.
• Leave the door of the washing machine slightly open to allow the inside of the machine to dry after each wash.
• Always remove wet clothing immediately after the wash cycle. Not only will this make your washing machine look better, it will also prevent water from entering the washing machine.
• You can buy a dehumidifier for your room. This prevents bacteria and mold from making the home comfortable.
• Use the correct detergent.
• Choosing to use detergent will make the machine work better and produce less suds. More suds = more soap bubbles.
• White vinegar is often used to clean rubber seals.

FAQs

Q: How often do you need to clean your washing machine?

A: We recommend doing a thorough clean at least once a month for your washing machine. However the more often you clean, the better, as you can keep smelly odours at bay.

Q: What is the best washing machine cleaner to use?

A: We recommend using ‘Hotpoint Wpro Limescale and grease remover’. This product is suitable for all Washing Machines and Dishwashers. Using these will reduce the maintenance cost for your machine if used frequently.

Q: Why does my washing machine smell?

A: This could be due to a built up detergent and soap scum that accumulates in your detergent tray and also in the rim of your washing machine gasket.

If you neglect to frequently clean your machine, leftover detergent, combined with moisture in small enclosed spaces can bread mould and bacteria can develop, which causes your machine to smell.

Q: What is a front loader washing machine?

A: A front loader washing machine describes the way you load your clothing into the machine.

You typically have a top loader machine and a front loader. Front loader machines are more water and energy efficient compared to top loader machines.

Q: Can you use dishwasher tablets to clean your washing machine?

A: This is a hot new trend that seems to have caught the attention of many.

Q: How do you clean a washing machine filter?

A: Typically, most washing machines will have a filter. You can locate this at the front of your machine, behind a hatch.

It is important that you check this on a regular basis, as your filter can collect debris. To clean the filter, remove the debris that is trapped.

It is important that when you remove the filter, you apply some old towels down on the floor as the filter can hold water. Consider using a bowl to drain and collect the water. Once the debris is removed, place the filter back into the machine and close the hatch door.