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Bleach can be a laundry savior, but only if used correctly. Adding bleach at the wrong time or failing to dilute it beforehand can lead to a laundry disaster (imagine your favorite clothes covered in bleach stains). Today, Mytour will guide you on the dos and don'ts of using bleach in your washing machine to keep your clothes clean, fresh, and bright.
Steps
Bleaching Clothes in the Washing Machine
Set your washing machine to the hottest water setting. High temperatures enhance the activation of bleach, making it more effective. Press the 'hot cycle' button or turn the dial to the highest temperature setting.
- Check the care labels on each item before washing. If the clothes cannot withstand hot water, switch the machine to a warm water setting.
Add a capful of laundry detergent to the machine. Laundry detergent will help remove dirt and stains from your clothes. Pour the detergent directly into the drum (or the designated compartment if available).
- For light-colored clothes, use a detergent specifically designed for whites to keep them bright.
- If laundry detergent is unavailable, you can substitute it with washing powder.
Add bleach to the dispenser for front-loading washing machines. Open the dispenser located at the front of the machine and pour in one capful of bleach. The machine will automatically mix the bleach with water once it fills up. This ensures that no clothes come into direct contact with undiluted bleach.
- If your front-loading machine lacks a dedicated dispenser, dissolve the bleach in one liter of water before pouring it directly into the drum.
Add bleach to the water if you're using a top-loading washing machine. Press the start button and wait for the machine to fill with water. Then, open the lid and pour in one capful of bleach. This prevents clothes from getting stained by undiluted bleach.
- It usually takes about 5 minutes for the machine to fill up.
- If your machine has a separate bleach compartment, add the bleach before starting the cycle.
Set the machine to a regular, long wash cycle. Adjust the washing machine to a standard, long wash cycle and press start. This ensures there's enough time for the bleach to penetrate the fabric fibers.
- If you're washing delicate items, choose an appropriate cycle.
Dry the clothes as usual. Hang the clothes on a drying rack or place them in the dryer. Since bleach residue in wet clothes can cause stains, avoid letting them drip onto carpets or other fabrics.
Cleaning the Washing Machine with Bleach
Set the machine to a long, hot wash cycle. Press the hot wash button and select the longest duration. High temperatures will activate the bleach more effectively and enhance the deep-cleaning process for the washing machine.
- Do not add any laundry items during this cycle.
Add 946 ml of bleach to the washing machine. Bleach will help sanitize the machine and eliminate lingering odors. Use bleach designed for laundry instead of regular cleaning agents, as it is gentler and safer for fabrics. Other cleaning agents may damage fibers and are not suitable for washing machines.
Pause the cycle to let the bleach soak for an hour. Wait for the machine to fill with water, then lift the lid or press the pause button. Allow the bleach solution to soak for an hour, giving it time to clean the drum thoroughly.
- For top-loading machines, leave the lid open to let bleach fumes escape. If using a front-loading machine, the chemical smell will dissipate after the cycle ends.
Restart the machine to complete the deep-cleaning process. Press the start button to resume the cycle. The water will drain, cleaning the machine's drainage system in the process.
- Clean the washing machine with bleach once a month to maintain its cleanliness and performance.
- Run an additional rinse cycle to remove any remaining bleach residue.
What You'll Need
Bleaching Clothes in the Washing Machine
- 1 capful of laundry detergent
- 1 capful of bleach
Cleaning the Washing Machine with Bleach
- 946 ml of bleach
Tips
- Opt for bleach with natural ingredients if you have sensitive skin.
