How to clean the washing machine with soda crystals and white vinegar and help keep it mould and mildew free.
If your washing machine is smelly, then chances are your clothes are not going to come out smelling all that fresh either.
Most new washing machines now come with a “washing machine cleaning cycle” built into the programmes. However if your’s doesn’t then it’s super easy to clean the washing machine using simple, natural products.
To clean the washing machine we use soda crystals, white vinegar and ordinary washing up liquid, all of which are readily available, cheaply at the supermarket.
I prefer to clean the washing machine using more natural products especially as I have young children at home – chemicals are best kept to a minimum especially around inquisitive types!
You do have to make sure you store soda crystals out of sight and reach of children though as they are an irritant.
What to use to clean the washing machine
- 1 cup of soda crystals – I use the Dri Pack soda crystals
- 2 cups of white vinegar
- big squirt of dish washing soap
- old toothbrush
- cleaning cloths
How to clean your washing machine
To clean the washing machine using natural products, simply…
- Turn off the electricity on the washing machine then remove the soap dispenser drawer and give it a wash in warm soapy water. The soap dispenser drawer can really get disgusting and filled with gunk! Scrub any crevices using an old toothbrush. This will remove any build up of black gunky soap that can hang around in there.
- Clean inside the soap dispenser space in the washing machine, again use dish washing soap and a toothbrush to scrub any small tight areas.
- Finally wipe around with a cloth before returning the clean soap dispenser.
- Turn the washing machine electric supply back on – and add the soda crystals to the soap dispenser drawer.
- Pour the cups of white vinegar directly into the drum of the washing machine.
- Put the washing machine on the highest temperature wash cycle.
- Once it’s finished use a soft cloth to wipe clean the inside of the glass door and the rubber door seal.
- Dry the rubber door seal and leave the door slightly ajar so air can circulate.
- The outside of the washing machine can be cleaned with a microfibre cloth and warm soapy water.
How to clean the door seal
The washing machine door seal is the one part of the washing machine that gets black mould on it the quickest.
Once the black mould is on the rubber door seal this can’t really be removed, even using bleaching products, it rarely gets the mould off.
The only option is to change the seal. You can usually order door seals from the parts department of the manufacturer.
The best way to prevent the door seal getting black mould on it is to make sure you dry the seal after use and leave the washing machine door slightly ajar so air circulates.
How often should you clean the washing machine
To avoid a smelly washing machine or gunk building up in the soap dispenser drawer it’s a good idea to clean the washing machine at least once a month and rinse the soap dispenser drawer out once a week.
Love a nice clean house? Try these top natural cleaning tips
- How to air the bed – airing the bed daily is a good thing! We’ll show you how to air the bed properly and why it’s important.
- How to make your home smell good, naturally! – we’ll show you brilliant ways to use natural products to make your home smell delicious without the chemicals.
- 20 ways to use baking soda at home – baking soda is such a useful cleaning products, we’ll show you how to use it at home to clean and freshen.
How to clean the washing machine with soda crystals
Step by step instructions for cleaning the washing machine with soda crystals and white vinegar.
Materials
- 1 cup soda crystals
- 2 cups white vinegar
- big squirt dish washing soap
Tools
- old toothbrush
- cleaning cloths x 2
Instructions
- Turn off the electricity on the washing machine then remove the soap dispenser drawer and give it a wash in warm soapy water. Scrub tight crevices using the old toothbrush.
- Clean inside the soap dispenser space in the washing machine, again use dish washing soap and a toothbrush to scrub any small tight areas.
- Then wipe around with a cloth before returning the clean soap dispenser.
- Turn the washing machine electric supply back on – and add the soda crystals to the soap dispenser drawer.
- Pour the cups of white vinegar directly into the drum of the washing machine.
- Put the washing machine on the highest temperature wash cycle.
- Once it’s finished use a soft cloth to wipe clean the inside of the glass door and the rubber door seal.
- Dry the rubber door seal and leave the door slightly ajar so air can circulate.
- The outside of the washing machine can be cleaned with a microfibre cloth and warm soapy water.
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