Washing machines are expensive appliances, and they’re noisy too, but we can’t live without them. You need clean clothes every day, and if you’re part of a large family, you know the washing machine is the most valuable item in your home.
The thing with washing machines is that they handle dirty clothes, so they get dirty themselves, leading to breaking down. Because we want your washing machine to live a long, happy life, here’s what happens if you never clean it and how often you should do so.
Why Clean Your Washing Machine?
Soap cleans the clothes, but it builds up, and so do the minerals in the water. Add to that all the threads, lint and bits of fiber and fluff, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for disaster. All this causes a thin film to form in the washing machine’s tubes and filters, and they become the perfect home for harmful bacteria.
Bacteria love damp, warm places, and there’s no damper and a more hospitable place than inside a washing machine. That bacterium eventually finds its way into your clean clothes, and then you wear them. Now, that’s not clean clothes, is it?
How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?
You should clean your washing machine inside and outside at least once a month. More often if you use it every day. Make sure you clean the filters, the detergent basin and the front loader.
The outside matters, too, and cleaning it is the perfect opportunity to move the washing machine from its place and clean the floor beneath it. Inspect for moisture, stains and rust. Dry the floor and the machine well before putting it back into place. Also, check for gas or water leaks; they’re common in old washing machines.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine?
How to clean a machine designed to clean stuff? For starters, you don’t use soap. Baking soda and vinegar help with the toughest stains, and they’re natural ingredients, and vinegar disinfects, sanitizes and removes stains. Try not to use bleach as it might damage your clothes and it’s not great for the environment.
Remove the lint manually, add a few cups of white vinegar into the detergent basin, and start the machine for a few minutes. Dry the appliance thoroughly and let it run with water before washing your clothes. If your machine is just too dirty, call an expert!
How to Keep Your Washing Machine Clean?
Cleaning your washing machine is one thing, but keeping it clean is something else entirely, and it’s all about good habits.
Don’t let your wet clothes wait for too long in the washer as they become the perfect place for bacteria to grow. You’ll notice it immediately because it starts to smell funny. Also, leave the washing machine’s door open to allow the basin to dry between uses; it will help you prevent mold. Finally, clean the filters at least every week to avoid clogging the pipes. Make cleaning your machine a habit, and you’ll avoid more significant problems later on.
Clean Your Washing Machine and Save Money
In the long run, having a clean washing machine saves you time and money. The appliance will last longer; it will work better and save you trouble. Let’s face it, washing clothes is no easy task, so you need your machine in pristine condition because they’re not inexpensive either.
Make sure to spend some time with your washing machine once a month and make sure everything is a-okay. What would you do without your precious washing machine? You’d have a hard time, so take care of it, and it will be a reliable partner for many years!
