Simple home remedies to keep your washing machine fresh
Taking care of your washing machine doesn’t have to involve expensive products. Many home remedies allow for effective cleaning of the appliance. If your clothes have an unpleasant smell after washing, take action immediately.
Keeping the washing machine clean is crucial to avoiding unpleasant odours that can ruin the freshness of your laundry. Regularly cleaning the detergent drawer and drum using vinegar can prevent mould and mildew buildup.
Vinegar mixed with a bit of washing-up liquid and water can also be used for thoroughly cleaning the rubber gasket located at the edge of the washing machine drum.
How to prevent limescale buildup?
Limescale in the washing machine is a very common problem if you live in an area with hard water. It’s better to prevent it than to replace the washing machine parts later, so try to clean it regularly.
Citric acid comes to the rescue, removing deposits, while bicarbonate of soda placed in the detergent compartment will clean hard-to-reach places and eliminate bad odours. You can also throw a few teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda into the drum, set a high temperature, and run a wash cycle.
For the longevity of the washing machine, it’s key to regularly clean the gaskets and the filter (every two months or more often if you have a lot of wool clothes or a pet in the house).
Both the filter and the gasket collect a lot of dirt that can affect the efficiency of the washing machine. You can also wipe the gasket with vinegar and water to prevent mould buildup.
Consistency is key
Remember that to maintain the washing machine's efficiency, it should be cleaned regularly and inspected. After each wash, leave the door slightly open to air out the drum’s interior—this will minimise mould and bacteria accumulation.
