HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE
What? Clean My Washing Machine? Don't they clean themselves? After all it is a washing machine??? Yes, washing machines need to be cleaned once in a while, due to grime and detergent residues can be left inside the washer and plumbing – especially when fabric softeners have been used. These residues provide a base for mold, mildew and bacteria which can cause odor in your laundry. They may also damage interior components of the washing machine.
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1) Fill washer on largest setting with HOT water. Add one quart or bleach and set on the on longest cycle and let it agitate for a few minutes. Stop the cycle and let the solution sit for one hour. Complete the cycle.
2) Repeat step one but this time use one quart of white vinegar instead of bleach.
3) Mix one cup of hot water and one cup of white vinegar, wipe down inside and out of the machine. Don’t forget the blades of the agitator inside the drum. Dispensers
Remove the bleach and fabric softener dispensers. Soak them in hot water/vinegar solution for about 15 minutes, and clean them thoroughly. Clean inside the dispenser area. When the dispensers are dry, return them to the machine. Use the same solution to clean around the edge of the lid/door to remove build up, including the seal on front loaders. Drains and Filters
If your washer is equipped with a lint filter, remove all lint accumulation. A clogged drain can prevent the water from draining properly. Remove any build-up in the strainer after each washing cycle. Vacuum under and behind the machine: this not only makes it cleaner, but helps to alleviate a possible fire hazard. Tips:
• Prevent mildewing: leave the lid open after you finish a load to allow the washing machine to dry out.
• When the wash cycle is finished, remove the load promptly.
• If your laundry comes out of the wash with a mildew smell, it could be due to a dirty washer
• If you have a pet that sheds, vacuum out the washer. After the drum is dry, use your vacuum’s soft brush attachment and vacuum out the pet hair.
• Clean out the inlet hose filters twice a year. You’ll find them inside the water inlet connections.
• Never use an abrasive cleanser which can scratch and damage the surface. Use your household window cleaner on any glass. And there you have it: A Nice clean washing machine! So when was the last time you cleaned your washing machine? Did you even know you were supposed to clean it?
