While washing machines are notoriously difficult to take apart, there’s no need to be a professional to effectively clean them. Here are some simple yet effective methods to ensure your washing machine is spotless.
1. Salt + Detergent
Salt, an essential condiment in the kitchen, not only enhances the flavor of food but also has cleaning properties. Its disinfectant nature makes it ideal for washing machine maintenance.
Dissolve half a bowl of salt in hot water, add some detergent, and stir until foamy. Pour this mixture into your washing machine.
Fill the machine with water and let it soak for half an hour. Then, either select the cleaning mode or a regular wash cycle. As the water drains, you’ll notice the dirt and grime being washed away.
2. White Vinegar + Baking Soda + Salt
This method is equally simple. Soak a clean cloth in white vinegar and place it in the washing machine. Select the spin cycle, which will vigorously spin the vinegar-soaked cloth, dispersing vinegar throughout the machine.
White vinegar helps loosen dirt, making it easier to clean the appliance. Next, add baking soda and salt to the machine. Both ingredients have disinfectant and cleaning properties, and baking soda reacts with vinegar to further break down grime.
Fill the machine with water and let it soak for about 10 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to do their job. Then, start a wash cycle, and you’ll notice cloudy water and some residue in the drained water, indicating successful cleaning.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide + Detergent
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant and sanitizer. Combined with detergent, it becomes a formidable cleaning agent. Simply pour hydrogen peroxide and detergent or washing liquid into the machine.
Start the machine to fill it with water, then stop it. Let the mixture soak for about 3 hours before draining the water. This ensures that the disinfectant and detergent thoroughly clean the machine.