Are your washing machine and clothes dryer looking a bit grubby? Perhaps they’re even putting out a bit of a stink or not cleaning your clothes properly? It’s probably time to give them a good clean to get rid of any excess product build-up and kill any mould or mildew that may be lurking in the crevices.
How to clean your washing machine
This method works for both a front loader and top loader and is a cheap and chemical free way to spruce up your washer.
Step one
Take 2 cups of baking soda and put it in the drum of your machine.
Run a long, hot cycle or use the ‘self-clean mode’ if your machine has it.
The baking soda will act as an abrasive and remove any stains and mouldy patches.
Step two
Next, pour 2 cups of pure white vinegar into the drum and add 10 drops of an essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree or lavender) and run the machine on another long, hot cycle.
The essential oil and vinegar will disinfect the pipes and drum.
If you have a front loader, then be sure to remove the seal around the door and give it a good wipedown with vinegar to get rid of any mould.
Step three
Wipe down the door and agitator with a soft cloth, rubbing off any excess stains and product.
Step four
Remove all the detergent draws and give them a good scrub in a mix of vinegar and water to remove any detergent scale. Cleaning this regularly will prevent smelly clothing.
How to clean your dryer
Having a clean dryer is essential to having a safe home because dirty dryers can lead to house fires. Lint is highly flammable and if left to accumulate can cause big problems.
Get in the habit of removing the lint from your lint trap after every load and don’t be afraid to shake out any excess fluff that may be caught in the discharge hose (the silver hose) at the back of the machine.
You may also be able to remove the back panel of your dryer to remove any other lint that may have escaped the trap. Consult your user manual or pop in and speak to us in store for a demonstration.
Chris’s Cleaning Tips
- Always leave the washing machine door open to prevent mould and mildew
- Avoid leaving your washing in the machine for too long once it’s finished
- Use the correct amount of washing detergent to avoid build up in your machine and on your clothes
- Use a good quality detergent. We always recommend our own custom made product, Power of 4