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It may sound incredible, but the washing machine also needs to be washed itself. Find out how to clean yours and preserve your clothes!

Image: Nik MacMillan on Unsplash

If you've ever noticed that your laundry looks a little weird after it's out of the wash, with lint, white or black dots, maybe your washing machine is in need of a cleaning itself.

Over time, pieces of yarn and fabric, traces of dirt and residues from products such as washing powder and fabric softener accumulate inside the washer and can damage your washing machine, consequently spoiling your clothes. Dirt also accumulates in places that are not visible, such as between the tank and the basket and in inlet and drain pipes.

In geographical areas with “hard” water (with a high presence of limestone), it is necessary to check pipes regularly and use lime scale tablets, if necessary, to keep the pipes free of mineral deposits.

Machine maintenance must be done with an internal cleaning that aims to access the washer filter, in addition to washing the recesses that accumulate dirt, slime and limestone.

Depending on the volume of laundry you wash weekly, the frequency of maintenance cleaning will be different. If you hit two machines a week, you will need to do the procedure once a month. But if you do very little washing, do the internal cleaning once every two months.

Learn from the following tips how to clean a washing machine, - this prolongs the life of the machine and even washes your clothes more efficiently.

How to clean washing machine

Materials

• white vinegar;
• Sodium bicarbonate;
• Used toothbrush;
• cleaning cloths;
• Bowl.

washing the soap compartment

This is one of the parts of your machine that you should clean often so as not to leave residue on your clothes. Damaged whitish stains or white spots that remain on clothes after washing can be caused by the accumulation of products in this compartment. This garment needs to be cleaned regularly so it doesn't leave residue on your clothes.

To clean this part of the machine, you must remove it and, with a brush (which could be an old toothbrush), scrub it with a solution of water and vinegar. If the soap has hardened, just let the accessory soak for a few minutes in the liquid.

Some washers on the market have a soap and fabric softener dispenser, but if your washing machine does not have this function, clean the compartment more often to avoid product build-up on your clothes.

Sanitizing the filter

Depending on your washing machine model, the filter is different. Some models allow the removal of the part and others do not. The location and type of filter varies by brand and model, so follow the instructions contained in your washer manual. If your model allows, undo the piece and remove the clothes that accumulate. There is no need to use any chemical in this process. After the procedure, without rubbing, pass the filter under running water, and replace it.

maintenance cleaning

Choose the longest wash cycle in the program and let your machine fill up completely. Use the hot water option if your appliance has it. This will cause detergent residues accumulated in the machine to dissolve for disposal.

When your washer is full and starts to stir, add a quart of white vinegar and a teacup of baking soda. Wait for the ingredients to mix and pause the wash cycle. The mixture should act in 30 minutes to an hour.

Allow the washing machine to cycle completely. You should not use shorter programs to ensure that all vinegar and baking soda are removed from the appliance. With the water that comes out, it is possible to clean the floor or garage in your house.

External cleaning

During the time your machine is soaking in the vinegar and baking solution, you can prepare a mixture of the same ingredients to clean the outside of your washer. Mix about a tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of vinegar in a small pot. Wet the toothbrush in the paste and clean the corners and edges of the machine that accumulate dirt.

To clean the outside, you can also use damp cloths, with or without diluted neutral detergent. Do not use window cleaner to clean the lid glass, it may damage the washer material.

By adopting a cleaning routine, you keep your washing machine clean inside and out and prevent odors and dirt. In a market where more and more products have a short life cycle and programmed obsolescence, this tip can extend the life of your equipment. To ensure that your clothes come out of the washing machine always clean.

Learn how to reuse water from your washes and dispose of an old washing machine.

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