The comprehensive guide to cleaning your washing machine.

A washing machine is a godsend gift to humans. You are one of the lucky ones if you have one in your home or apartment. However, most of us don’t take care of it as we should; some of us think it is because its job is to wash things, so it will clean itself. Well, you would be wrong, as, with all your cleaning appliances, the washing machine needs to be cleaned too. So, take care of your old trustee friend and clean it up too because your washing machine needs a spa day once in a while too. It also works hard to keep your clothes clean and trust me, that is not an easy job. So follow our guide on how you can clean your washing machine effectively with things that you might already have in your pantry.

Things you will need:

You need four to five simple ingredients to give your washing machine a pristine look and clean it up. A well-kept washing machine is a reflection of your cleanliness and with give your cleaner clothes in return. And be sure to clean the lint that accumulates in the lint trap over time. Things you will need for cleaning your washing machine are:

• • Baking soda

• • Hydrogen peroxide (This one is optional and only required if you see mold forming in your machine)

• • Rag/cleaning towel

• • Toothbrush

• • White vinegar

How to clean the front load

Step 1- Door

Okay, the first step is to clean the door of the drum. Wipe down all the crevices and get rid of all the dust and dirt accumulated over time. To do this, you just have to pour some vinegar on your rag/towel and start wiping that dirt off. The vinegar will eliminate all the bacteria and will be an active agent in removing all the gunk that may have accumulated on the door. Any removable part can be removed and soaked in a water and vinegar solution (2 parts water to 1 part vinegar). Be sure not to use any abrasive material on the glass or enamel as it will scratch the surface and make your washing machine look all damaged.

Step 2- Rubber gasket and mold.

Use a toothbrush to get rid of all the gunk that resides on the rubber gasket of the drum door. The toothbrush gets in all the nooks and crannies and those pesky and hard-to-reach layers and cleans the machine thoroughly. If you see any mold on the door or gasket, this is where the hydrogen peroxide will come in handy. Pour a little on a different rag and wipe the problem area; this should get rid of the mold fairly easily. If after using the hydrogen peroxide and you still see some stubborn grime, then its time to get the big gun out, no Karen, not a literal gun, but your old trustee baking powder, its mild abrasive power will solve all your problems.

Step 3- The inside

Let’s get in the nitty-gritty of it all; let’s get into the unknown world of the washing machine and how to clean its inside. As a dumb kid, I always thought the inside of a washing machine was a portal to a strange world, a bit like Narnia because we’d always lose a sock or handkerchief in there once in a while. Now, as a full-fledged adult, the jury is still out on the portal idea, but if it is a portal, we should really keep it clean. No, but jokes asides, let see what you can do to keep the inside of your washing machine clean. So depending on the size of your washing machine, use 1 to 2 cups of vinegar and place it in the detergent holder and distributor. The vinegar will take care of all the leftover soap and will disinfect the machine.

Step 4- Setting

Let your washing machine do a complete run on either the sanitized or hottest cycle and let it run without any clothes. This will clean it out thoroughly and get rid of most of the gunk and other dirt there.

Step 5- Use baking soda.

Okay, to be environmentally conscious, you can alternate parts 3 and 5 every other month as this will save you water and is the most conscious and budget-friendly thing to do. But, remember not to use both the vinegar and the baking soda simultaneously; the former is an acid while the latter is a base and will neutralize each other. This will not harm your washing machine in any way but won’t have the effect we need it to have if used separately. Add 1/3 cup of baking powder to the drum and let the washing machine rerun a complete cycle with the hot water; this will help deodorize the machine.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us if you will clean your washing machine with our easy guide.