It’s important to clean your washing machine so it continues to wash clothes properly and efficiently for longer. You can also prevent future problems by performing the necessary maintenance.
In this blog, we explain how to clean your washing machine, share some tips and tricks, explain how to prevent problems, and answer some frequently asked questions on this topic.
Why is it important to clean the washing machine?
The most important reason to clean your washing machine regularly is to prevent grease buildup and remove any grease that may already be present. Grease is an oily substance that appears in the washing machine when skin oils, soap scum, dandruff, bacteria, and dirt accumulate.
What happens if there’s grease in the washing machine? Clothes don’t come out completely clean, wash cycles take longer than usual, the machine doesn’t heat up properly, and unpleasant odors may develop. It can even cause long-term damage to the machine.
Regular cleaning also prevents limescale buildup and potential blockages. Limescale accumulates when heat and water mix, causing the water to take longer to heat up and thus leading to higher energy consumption.
How to clean the washing machine?
Step 1: Perform an empty wash at 90 or 95 degrees
To eliminate bacteria, it’s important to regularly run an empty cycle with a hot drum in the washing machine. Add detergent to the machine to further remove dirt and eliminate bacteria. Use one of the following products:
- Solution 1: Lye.
Put half a cup of lye or baking soda in the empty drum and run a 90 or 95 degree wash cycle. The lye absorbs the contaminants, leaving the washing machine spotless after the cycle. - Solution 2: Dishwasher Tablets.
Use dishwasher tablets to combat grease and bacteria. Add two dishwasher tablets to the detergent drawer or directly to the drum and run a hot water wash. The cleaning effect removes dirt and odors. However, it’s important to use dishwasher tablets without a water-soluble film for a faster cleaning process. - Solution 3: Natural Vinegar
Add natural vinegar to the detergent drawer and run a hot water wash. The combination of vinegar and hot water dissolves dirt, grease, and limescale.
Step 2: Clean the filter
This filter can trap grease and dirt, so it’s very important to clean it. The filter is usually located behind the front panel of the washing machine. Remove the drain hose and carefully take out the filter. Then, clean the inside with a cleaning cloth, water, and an all-purpose cleaner.
Be careful! This can be a messy job. Place a container or bucket under the panel. It’s also advisable to wear gloves.
Step 3: Clean the rubber rim
Dirt tends to stick to the rubber edge. Use a paper towel to remove as much dirt as possible from between the rubber seals. Then, mix hot water and detergent to clean off any remaining dirt. Finally, remember to dry the rubber thoroughly again with a clean cloth.
Step 4: Clean the detergent drawer
Finally, clean the detergent dispenser drawer. Remove the drawer from the washing machine and clean it with a soapy solution of water and liquid detergent. Also clean the area of the washing machine where the detergent tray is located.
TIP: Stubborn dirt? Remove dirt from both the rubber rim and the detergent drawer using a brush or old toothbrush to reach the hard-to-reach corners.
How to prevent washing machine problems?
Prevention is better than cure! That’s why we recommend following these steps at least once every one or two months, depending on how often you use your washing machine.
- Tip 1: Don’t use too much detergent.
Using too much detergent or fabric softener can cause limescale buildup. This is because the soap binds with bacteria, skin oils, and dandruff, causing them to stick together. Therefore, follow the dosage recommendations on the packaging. - Tip 2: Consider the water hardness in your area.
Water hardness refers to the amount of concentrated minerals it contains, primarily calcium and magnesium. If the water is hard, limescale can form more easily. Add a little more detergent to combat limescale. - Tip 3: Leave the door open after washing.
Leave the washing machine door open after washing to allow the drum to dry properly, and also open the detergent drawer. Bacteria thrive in warm, humid environments. - Tip 4: Don’t leave your laundry in the washing machine for too long.
When the wash cycle is finished, take the clothes out as quickly as possible. Leaving laundry inside for too long can allow microorganisms to develop in the washing machine, which can then penetrate the clothes and cause unpleasant odors. - Tip 5: Prevent objects from entering the washing machine.
Make sure no loose objects get into the washing machine drum. Remove any items that could come loose and close all zippers. Loose objects can damage the rubber parts and the inside of the drum, or get into the pump.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a washing machine?
Run an empty cycle at the highest possible temperature. Add vinegar, dishwasher tablets, or baking soda for best results. Then, clean the washing machine’s filter, rubber seal, and detergent drawer.
How often should the washing machine be cleaned?
Clean your washing machine thoroughly at least once every two months. If you regularly use fabric softener or use your washing machine frequently, you can do it more often. The cleaning process involves running an empty cycle and cleaning the filter, rubber parts, and detergent drawer.
How to get rid of bad smells from the washing machine?
Run a hot wash at 90 or 95 degrees Celsius with the washing drum empty. Add dishwasher tablets, baking soda, or natural vinegar to the detergent drawer. Bad odors are usually due to accumulated grease.
How to remove grease from the washing machine?
The grease buildup occurs because the detergent, at temperatures that are too low, cannot dissolve completely and sticks to the washing machine. To remove it, run a hot wash at a minimum of 90 degrees Celsius. It’s also important to clean the other parts of the washing machine.
How do you clean a washing machine with a dishwasher tablet?
Add two non-water-soluble dishwasher tablets to the detergent drawer or directly into the empty wash drum. Then, run a hot wash at 90 or 95 degrees.