When you open the washing machine door, does a strange smell come to you? The laundry even smells unpleasant after washing? Then it will probably be time to tackle the problem at the source and clean the washing machine. We’ll explain how to do simple home remedies!
Why Clean the Washing Machine?
The washing machine is in continuous use in almost every household. Therefore, it is not surprising that residues of detergents and softeners (often due to overdose) remain, lint and hair deposit, and the residual water also favours the risk of mould formation. And the frequent benefits of short or energy-saving programs also ensure that bacteria are not killed properly by too low temperatures.
So over time, it not only becomes unhygienic, but the washing machine also no longer runs with optimal performance. The consequences: The laundry does not get properly clean and smells accordingly. Then the washing machine must be cleaned.
Cleaning the Washing Machine: When and How often?
If the machine or clothing smells unpleasant after washing, it is high time to wash the machine under a basic cleaning. To maintain the device permanently and keep it clean, the washing machine should be cleaned from the inside about once a half-year.
The machine front, as well as the rubber seal and detergent drawer, should be wiped regularly. This prevents dirt from getting stuck in the first place.
How do I clean my washing machine with simple means?
It is not always necessary to buy expensive special cleaners to clean the washing machine optimally. We will show you with which budget you can easily and cheaply reach a radiant machine – from the outside and the inside!
6 Tips: How to Clean your Washing machine
Cleaning the washing machine with vinegar
Vinegar has long been a popular household cleaner, as the acid removes stubborn dirt perfectly. Thus, one might assume that vinegar (or concentrated vinegar) is ideal for getting rid of limescale deposits in the washing machine.
This is only partly true: the acid removes the lime and dirt, but its aggressive effect attacks the machine, seals, hoses and metal parts after time.
To prevent this and still benefit from the great effect of the vinegar, we recommend cleaning only the detergent drawer with it. This also helps to ensure that dirt cannot get lost further inside.
Cleaning the washing machine with soda
Soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a true all-rounder in the household and is suitable not only for baking or beauty care but also for cleaning agents. This is because the miracle cure works reliably against fungi, germs and bacteria – and thus bad odours – and is also gentle on the environment.
This is how it is done: Put about 50 grams of soda
in the detergent compartment and start a wash to at least 60 °C.
Clean the Washing Machine with Citric Acid
An acid that is less aggressive, but acts just as well as acetic acid, is citric acid. With this, you can safely clean and descale the washing machine if you do not overdo it with the dosage – it is also an acid. The subsequent fragrance is another advantage of citric acid. To avoid skin irritation, you should always wear gloves when working with citric acid.
Here’s how it works: Put about 8 tbsp of citric acid in the empty drum and let the wash cycle go through at the highest temperature. If you have a machine with a pause function, you can interrupt the washing process in between, so that the acid can act even better.
Our tip: The juice of the lemon is ideal for cleaning the sealing rubbers. Add a little juice to a rag and go over the seals with it.
Cleaning the Washing Machine with Dishwashing Tabs
What excellently removes the lime and dirt from the dishes, is just as well suited for cleaning the washing machine drum: dishwashing tabs!
It’s as simple as that: Place one or two dishwasher tabs in the empty drum and run a wash with high temperatures (best cooked). Your washing machine is thus freed from lime, germs, bacteria and dirt, and you profit from the hygienically clean and good smelling laundry.
Cleaning the Washing Machine with Baking Powder
Just no soda at hand? Then you can also use baking powder for cleaning, as this also includes soda. Lime and bacteria are thus a thing of the past!
Here’s how: Micah two bags of baking powder with a little water. Put the paste either in the detergent compartment or directly into the empty drum and start a wash with high temperatures, for example cooking linen.
Cleaning Washing Machine with Washing Soda
Soda is sodium carbonate, which is why it is often confused with soda. Chemically speaking, although not the same, both substances still have a lot in common, especially the great effect as a cleaning agent and environmental compatibility. Thus, in drugstores, you will also find special washing soda, which is added to the detergent to perfectly clean the clothes. But that would mean purifying clothes and machines at the same time? That’s exactly what!
Here are how it works: Add one or two tablespoons of soda to the detergent the next time you wash. Due to the environmental compatibility, you can also do this quietly with every wash.
Our tip: If it is to be particularly thorough, put only soda in the drum or detergent drawer and start an idle to maintain the machine.
More Tips for Washing Machine Care
To keep your favourite helper in the home optimally clean, you should also consider the following tips:
- Dosing detergents and softeners correctly, because usually, you use too much of it so that the leftovers settle in the machine and pollute them. With ao.de, you will find a large selection of washing machines that help with dosing or even automatically take over for you.
- Also remember to empty the filter regularly so that footy, hair and co can’t clog it.
- Always leave both the drum and the detergent drawer open so that the last wash’s residual moisture can escape and thus no mould forms.
- Regularly carry out washing operations at high temperatures (approx. 90 °C, at least 60 °C)to kill bacteria, germs or fungi.
- Clean the device regularly from the outside and inside and do not forget to thoroughly clean the sealing rubbers, especially the washing powder compartment. Many washing machines in our range have a self-cleaning drawer, with which you can significantly make cleaning the washing machine easier.
With these simple home remedies, you will fight dirt, bacteria and lime and care for your machine optimally. For long pleasure in the device and hygienically clean laundry!
Please browse through our complete range of washing machines for every need or discover our best front loader washing machines, tested and recommended by our experts!
