How many times have you felt the frustration of having your washing machine pack up? If this has never happened to you, then you’re either very lucky, or you’re taking great care because you already know how to clean your washing machine. The latter is something we should all be doing regularly. It’s a simple task to perform with only a few commonly used products that can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Say goodbye to washing machine repairs and extend the lifetime of your current machine by cleaning it on a regular basis. If you’re wondering what special equipment you’ll need, the answer is none. You can simply give your washing machine a thorough clean with vinegar and baking soda. It doesn’t matter whether you own a top-loader or front-loader washing machine, the SweepSouth team has jotted down the easy steps required to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda.
Using Vinegar And Baking Soda To Clean A Top-Loader Washing Machine
Follow these 4 easy steps to have your top-loader washing machine looking and functioning again like the day you bought it:
1. Fill The Drum With Vinegar And Start A Cycle
Pour 4 cups of white vinegar into the drum of your washing machine before setting it to run for a cycle. The temperature settings for the cycle should be the hottest, while the speed should be on the highest setting.
2. Pause The Cycle
As soon as the machine has filled up with water, pause the cycle and let the mixture of water and vinegar sit for an hour. This will allow the vinegar time to break down dirt and bacteria. If it’s been a long while since the last time you cleaned your machine, let it sit for an extra half an hour. Once the time has passed, set the cycle to finish.
3. Set For A Second Cycle With Baking Soda
Upon completion of the first cycle, pour a cup of baking soda into your machine and set it to run for a second cycle. Use the same settings as before.
4. Finish And Dry
Once the second cycle is complete, open the lid and leave it to air-dry. You can also use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down if you wish to.
Using Vinegar And Baking Soda To Clean A Front-Loader Washing Machine
If you have a front-loader washing machine, you can use these 5 simple steps to give it a thorough clean:
1. Spray The Drum With Vinegar
Use a spritz bottle to spray vinegar inside your washing machine. Make sure to cover the entire surface area of the drum for the cleaning process to be as effective as possible.
2. Wipe The Drum With A Cloth
Wipe down the inside of the drum with a microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to also give the seals around the door a wipe, as these tiny little spaces are often where dirt creeps into easily.
3. Set The Machine For A Cycle With Vinegar
Pour 2 cups of distilled white vinegar into the machine’s detergent dispenser and set it to run for a cycle. The settings for the cycle should be the longest amount of time at the highest temperature.
4. Run A Second Cycle With Baking Soda
Once the first cycle is over, spread half a cup of baking soda into your machine’s drum and set it to run for a second cycle. The settings should be the same as before.
5. Allow The Machine To Dry
After completion of the second cycle, open the door and let your machine air-dry. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down if need be.
With these simple steps using basic, yet powerful cleaning ingredients, your washing machine will maintain a great working condition and leave you worry-free for a lot longer than you would expect. For more cleaning tips and methods, check out our article on how to clean a washing machine. Share these cleaning methods with others and enjoy the look and feel of expertly cleaned clothes.
