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Regularly cleaning your washing machine helps it function optimally and prolong its lifespan. Daily exposure to dirt, water, and detergent residue can pose health risks if you neglect regular maintenance. Learn the simple steps to clean your washing machine at home.
1. Discover the ultimate guide to keeping your washing machine sparkling clean at home.
Regularly cleaning your washing machine helps it function optimally and prolong its lifespan. Daily exposure to dirt, water, and detergent residue can pose health risks if you neglect regular maintenance. Learn the simple steps to clean your washing machine at home.
Regular maintenance of your washing machine ensures its longevity.
Why should you clean your washing machine? When do you need to do it, and what does cleaning your washing machine entail? This article will address all your queries before you embark on washing machine maintenance for your household.
Why is washing machine maintenance necessary?
You know, the washing machine is one of the fantastic companions supporting the household chores of homemakers. Using a washing machine means you no longer have to scrub and rub dirty clothes covered in sweat, mud, grease... Instead, you can spend time caring for your family while still having fresh-smelling clothes every day. So, where do those stubborn stains on your clothes disappear to?
An unsanitary washing machine drum will accumulate layers of dirt over time.
Most people often think that the dirt will be washed away with the water and your washing machine drum will remain as shiny as it was initially. That's not entirely true. You may not know that besides the dirt that can dissolve in water and easily drain away, there are stubborn residues that will cling to the washing machine drum, invisible to the naked eye. Over time, these residues will accumulate along with the humid environment, creating a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, which not only affects your family's health but also reduces the lifespan of the machine significantly. Therefore, you need to clean your washing machine immediately to prevent such concerns.
When should you clean your washing machine?
Typically, you should clean your home washing machine every 2 to 3 weeks. Because washing machine maintenance will remove all the residues left on the drum, ensuring better washing results. Besides, you should also remember to leave the washing machine door open to allow air circulation, creating a cool environment to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
What do you need to prepare before cleaning your washing machine?
Cleaning tools for washing machines such as: Cleaning sponge, specialized washing machine brush (available at supermarkets) or you can use a discarded toothbrush.
Cleaning chemicals (bleach, bleach water, etc.) available at supermarkets or you can use vinegar, lemon.
What are the steps to clean a washing machine?
To ensure the best cleaning of your washing machine, you need to remove all clothes from the drum.
Cleaning the exterior of the washing machine:
Use a cleaning cloth, dampened with a little neutral cleaning solution, to gently wipe the outside of the washing machine. Be careful not to scrub too hard to avoid scratching the machine. Also, make sure to clean the corners of the machine, you can use a brush to sweep away the dust in the corners of the washing machine.
Cleaning the interior of the washing machine:
Cleaning the washing machine drum
Step 1: Fill the washing machine drum with warm water to the highest level. If your washing machine does not have a hot water drain function, you should prepare and pour it in yourself. However, you should also check carefully how much heat your washing machine drum can withstand. Because for some plastic drums, hot water can cause deformation and damage. In case of concern, you can still use tap water without any problem.
Step 2: Pour about 2 cups of vinegar or cleaning solution into the water. Cover the lid and soak for 1 hour.
Step 3: Start the washing machine and select the longest washing time, then let the machine run through a full washing cycle as usual. After washing, use a clean sponge dipped in vinegar and scrub the inside of the washing machine drum again.
Step 4: Let the washing machine continue to run another normal washing cycle and finish.
Clean the detergent compartment: Pull out the detergent and fabric softener drawer and rinse it with cold water, then soak it with a little detergent and leave it overnight. The next morning, use hot water to clean them once again.
Clean the washing machine door: Gently open the washing machine door and use a damp cloth soaked in cleaning solution to clean both the inside and outside surfaces of the washing machine door. Note: Make sure to thoroughly clean the rubber gasket around the machine as bacteria tend to accumulate here.
Clean the Drainage Hose: Pay attention to regularly check the drainage hose of the washing machine. And make sure to wipe clean the contact area (junction) between the drainage hose and the machine, if there is any residue, use a cloth to clean it off. Also, you should consider replacing the hose with a new one if it is too old.
The washing machine cleaning process does not necessarily have to be done daily, you can do it regularly every 2-3 weeks. This way, your washing machine will not harbor disease-causing bacteria and ensure its longevity. Wishing you success!
