In some households, laundry is done every day, while in others it is done at least once a week. It is simply part of the standard household chores. Despite frequent use, the washing machine is not cleaned or at least incompletely cleaned. It can happen that the freshly washed laundry comes out musty. But that's annoying because regular care is simple and not at all time-consuming. Below we will explain how you can clean your washing machine and what you need to pay attention to.
What causes the unpleasant smell?
Before you start cleaning, you need to determine the exact cause of the unpleasant smell. Experts have stated that dirt occurs in the washing machine if it was washed at low temperatures and liquid detergent was used continuously. Over time, soap residue, lint and grease collect in invisible areas, such as underneath the drum, on seals and in hoses. After use, individual parts do not dry properly and this leads to mold formation. The result is an unpleasant smell even if the laundry is taken out shortly after the wash cycle. Furthermore, this takesHouseholdfurther damage will occur.
Cleaning does not refer to wiping the outside of the machine with a damp cloth. Of course you have to remove the dust or traces from spilled detergent, but it's not just about that. The lint filter should be thoroughly cleaned regularly and the more often it is done, the better. You can often find lost things there, such as change, hair clips or even socks. There is an opening on the base of the machine where the sieve is, which you need to unscrew. You should also clean all seals around the door of the front loader regularly with a damp cloth. Water and deposits usually collect there, which mold over time. The detergent filling container should not be neglected either. Detergent residues build up there, which can form mold due to the moisture. It can often happen that the deposits harden and can no longer be removed.
You can make the time-consuming work of thoroughly cleaning your heavily soiled washing machine easier if you just don't allow yourself to get that far.
- Always leave the washing machine door open when it is not running. This means that the sealing rubber dries and the residual moisture also escapes.
- The filling compartment should also remain open.
- Every now and then, do a boil wash at 95°C. This dissolves all the deposits of grease and dirt that have collected inside the machine, and the germs are also removed. Bed linen and towels can be washed hygienically at this temperature.
There are numerous cleaners available in the supermarket for descaling and cleaning. These are made with diluted citric acid and others are based on chlorine. You should use both according to the instructions for use. In addition to the ready-made products from the store, some can be usedHome remedies for cleaning the washing machineapply.
Acetic acid removes limescale when it reacts with it and causes it to break down into substances. Pour a cup of vinegar essence into the drum and, when the machine is empty, start a hot washing program - at least 95°C. This means that all pollutants flow away along with the water. Please note that regular use can cause damage to hoses and rubber parts.
Baking soda
Baking soda is an inexpensive home remedy that can help remove all stains. Put 50 grams of it in the detergent compartment for the main wash cycle, select a program at least 60°C and run the machine without washing. For optimal effect, you can also add 50 ml of vinegar to the other compartment for the fabric softener. Mainly the two are in different compartments and they don't meet in the wash cycle.
Tips for particularly hard water
Due to the hard tap water, all household appliances suffer from limescale deposits, which significantly shorten the life of the machine. Furthermore, they are very difficult to eliminate once they have formed. There is only one solution for this - washing machine cleaner specifically designed for the problem, which can be found in any drugstore.
Helpful tips
- Vinegar and soda can be effective against limescale, but repeated use can damage the plastic of the washing machine.
- Do not use undiluted vinegar
- Dishwasher tablets can be used because they primarily destroy fats and bacteria.
- In between, you should run the washing machine at at least 60°C. Fungi and bacteria only die at higher temperatures.
- A thorough oneCleaning the washing machineIt really doesn't take much - 10-15 minutes of exposure time and then the duration of the wash cycle.
- You should clean your washing machine every 2 months.
