The washing machine works hard at cleaning our clothing and textiles from around our home, but when is the last time you gave your washing machine a good overall cleaning? For me personally, I clean mine every other month!
It’s important to clean your washing machine on a regular basis to keep it functioning properly and to keep odors from building up. Here is How to Naturally Clean Your Washing Machine.
1. Fill up your machine with hot water. Measure out 2 cups of white vinegar with a measuring cup and dump inside your washer. Once the cycle gets to the agitation setting…turn off your washer and open up the lid. Let the hot water and vinegar sit in your machine for 4-6 hours or overnight. Come back after time has passed, turn on the machine and let it completely wash through.
2. Buy a cleaning spray bottle at your local discount store and fill it 90% of the way up with tap water. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of white vinegar and shake it up. Use this vinegar and water solution as a natural cleaning solution in your laundry room. I spray it on the outside of my machine and then wipe it up with a damp clean cloth and then towel dry. If the inside of the lid is dirty, the rim or the agitator…you can use this same solution to wipe it down and clean it. Old linens are great for this job because you can then wash them or toss them when done.
3. Don’t forget to pull out your washer every month to clean behind it and underneath it. If need be, get someone to help you! It’s important to clean up all of the lint and debris that gets caught underneath them and behind them in your laundry room. A good vacuum with a nozzle attachment is great for this job! After vacuuming the lint up…I like to sprinkle a little baking soda underneath to help keep odors from forming.
If you make cleaning your washing machine part of your regular routine…it will get easier and quicker. I like to do mine every other month but my mother only does her’s seasonally. However it works for you…make sure you fit it into your cleaning routine regularly. By keep it clean…it will perform better and keep odors away.
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I really need to do this but I have one of those low water use front loader machines. You can’t open it when there is water in it. And it does get to smelling bad.
My washing machine was smelling bad glad to know there is an easy solution. Good old vinegar this wonderful thing has lots of uses.
Wow thanks for a way to clean my washing machine.My washing machine had an order now I know how to get rid of it.
Vinegar can do so much. I have been buying machine cleaner, but I like that this is natural…and cheaper. We always have vinegar on hand, too.
I have cleaned my washing machine with a clorox solution , but have not moved it to clean underneath. I shall have to see if my son can help me do that the next time he visits. I always clean the dryer and vacuum in there.
(How to Naturally Clean Your Washing Machine) I am going to do this with my front loader machine. These wash machines can get on the stinky side if you don’t do this at least once a month.
I always need to remind myself to clean out my washing machine. it seems that is a chore that just gets away from me but this really makes it easy by using the vinegar and letting it sit. Good way to keep it clean and odor free.
I am so doing this like tonight. I can’t remember the last time I cleaned the washing machine. I love cleaning with vinegar it is amazing. Thanks for posting this one I sure needed a reminder. Have a great rest of the weekend.
I won a vinegar swag bag from Vinegartips.com last year and it had that tip and many more useful, economic ideas for vinegar. I’m fortunate I like the smell of vinegar.
I used to do this but unfortunately, at our new house, we have a front-loading washer (which I HATE.) There is no agitator, no top to open, etc. And in my opinion, they don’t clean as well as regular old top loaders!
This is such good info, and very inexpensive. I never thought about cleaning a washing machine, but who wants to buy a new machine if you make yours last! and clean better!
I love how versatile vinegar is for cleaning. Need to do the washer cleaning soon.