If your washing machine is emitting a smell more unpleasant than an old, sweaty shirt, it’s very likely that it needs thorough cleaning. It might seem funny, but it’s true that even washing machines can gather dirt and grime over time.
Washing machines build up on laundry residue, detergent, and hard-water deposits on edges and folds you can’t see, especially around the machine lid and door. If you don’t regularly clean your washing machine, it might harbour leftover detergent, hard-water deposits.
Mould and mildew thrive in such conditions and spaces. These fungi might be the reason why your white clothes are not coming out quite so bright.
So, here are some cleaning tips on how to banish the mould, lousy odour, and residues on your washing machine and bring back your good laundry days for best results, clean after every six months.
Cleaning Tips for Cleaning your Washing Machine
If you’re lucky, your washing machine comes with a self-clean function, chooses that cycle, and follows the instructions to clean your washing machine. Otherwise, here are simple tips to eliminate buildup in the washing machine, hoses, and pipes and ensure your clothes get swept in the wash cycle.
1. Clean the Detergent Dispenser and Fabric Softener Dispenser
Ironically, the detergent dispenser/drawer may be one of the most germ-filled and favorable places, well if this is where you place the detergent to clean your clothes. Do you know there is that old toothbrush you used before, lying somewhere? For this, there is nothing quite like fiat currency that is used here literally. This can best be done by pulling out the entire drawer, using your toothbrush, and your ordinary domestic cleaning products. After that, the same process has to be followed for the fabric softener drawer.
2. Clean the Debris Filter
The debris filter or the lint trap prevents dirt and debris such as tissues, lint, pet hair, or anything else from reaching your washing machine’s pump during your wash. This means it is also another area where germs tend to gather.
It offers warm and humid environment ideal for mold formation, that’s most probably why you get those funny smells during the cleaning process.
The only solution for this problem is to wash it often and take out all the fuzz that accumulates there. The filter lies just beyond the lower perimeters of the machines and is often hidden by a flap that opens up to the lower part of the contraption.
If that does not help then you should turn to your user manual for help. Gently disconnect the emergency drain tube dispensary and put a cup below the consummated water droplet.
Next, but attentively unscrew the filter cover, and then put a rag beneath it. The trapped residue should be dispelled along with the trapped water, if not, some of it remains inside the core. Wash them with running water or use a soft brush to clean up the dent and then look into the cavity to ensure it is clean. Wipe and replace the cover. Make sure you have made sure that you have returned the cover properly to avoid future accidental leakage while in your washing process.
3. Cleaning the Rubber Gasket
Before the washer drum, you will need to clean the gasket. One way to clean the grout is to use white vinegar; spray it on the area and wipe it with a damp, microfiber cloth. In an HE washer, water, hair, scum, and mildew settle and stagnate at the front of the rubber gasket.
Next, turn the washer to the highest level of spin and hot water temperature and put two cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Wash it up to the last wash cycle.
4. Cleaning the Washer Drum
Have you ever used a washing machine with the door left open and got a raw stench off it? Sure, the washer drum might look and smell like new, but have you ever seen so many crevices where germs could linger?
If you let your dishwasher go weeks, even days without use, which is often the case in many households, then you need to run the empty wash cycle occasionally, especially after three to six months of nonuse. So to clean this front load washer you need to pour half a cup of baking soda directly into the tub and select the hot water setting, the highest that your machine can provide.
You should use hot water for washing, it is preferably about 60 degrees. Such as way baking soda together with hot water wash and also stops bacteria from being produced. It may also be used as an astringent as it removes mildew smell. These should help wash off the grime and prevent soap scum from accumulating on the surface.
When cleaning is done, wipe the inside drum of the washer with a damp microfiber cloth only. The tips are as follows; wash with the door slightly opened to let fresh air in the drum and reduce on washer being dampness.
5. Wipe Door Seal
Every time we throw the clothes into the machine, pull out soaked clothes, or spin the washing machine we do not remember the rubber ring which prevents water from gushing through the washing machine and wetting the floor of the laundry room. This is a problem to remove if you let the moisture build-up as it encourages mould growth.
Using a damp cloth, wipe the seal.
6. Cleaning the Top Load Washers
- Select the highest temperature that the water that the washer can heat
- Then add four cups of vinegar water
- When the cycle starts, stop the machine and let the ingredients rest for one hour on the cycle.
- While it sits, use a clean cloth to wipe the top load of the washer with hot vinegar water.
- With an old toothbrush, clean the fabric softener and bleach dispensers.
- For the duration of the cycle: After a specific hour of operation has been completed, go to the next stage.
- Then put 1 cup of baking soda, and then turn the cycle on again.
- After washing is done wipe the inside lid top of the washer tub with a cloth to eradicate the scum that forms from the wash.
Now your washer is ready for your clothes again.
7. Do This Regularly
Cleaning your washing machine effectively therefore involves finding out how to avoid making it dirty in the first place. As in meaning that you’ll have to get this added to the list of chores at home.
Frequently Asked Question
1. What causes the musty smell in the laundry?
The causes of this problem can be explained by the presence of moisture and dirt accumulated in the gasket or rubber seal around the door of the laundry.
2. What are the tips for deeper cleaning?
For vigorous cleaning, then use a chlorine bleach soaking solution on these regions, as earlier stated.
3. How frequently should I clean the washing machine?
Twice a week, as often as once every 14 days during particularly hot and humid climates.
