Many of us use washing machines regularly but give no thought to keeping the machines clean and in tip top working order. It’s easy to forget the fact that you really should clean your washing machine regularly. After all, you use nice-smelling detergents to clean your clothes, so isn’t that enough to keep your machine smelling sweet? Unfortunately not.
Think about it; your washing machine gets put through its paces – churning through dirty laundry day in and day out,. After a while, you may start to notice that your clothes start to come out smelling not so fresh. That’s because you need to attend to your washing machine and give it a bit of TLC. Here are a few tips to keep your washing machine clean, thus keeping your clothes coming out fresh and clean.
The Detergent Drawer
This is the first place that will build up with dirt and grime. Many washing machines allow you to completely remove the drawer, so you can take it out and give it a thorough clean. Failure to do this will mean that the clean water becomes dirty before it even reaches the clothes, plus you’ll end up with congealed lumps of detergent that may not dissolve properly and stick to your clothes. Not a good look!
Keep the Filter Clean
Your washing machine’s filter is a hive for fluff, gunk and all other nasties, so it’s imperative that you clean it regularly. If you don’t know where the filter is kept, refer to your user manual and follow the instructions. They are usually easily removable, and it’s advisable that you soak it in boiling water to get rid of the hard to get germs.
Run an Empty Hot Wash
To clean the main drum and the inside of the door, it is recommended that you run an empty hot cycle from time to time. This is a great way of cleaning the lime scale and other germs from the inside of the machine, without adding to it with more dirty washing. Any excess mildew or scum can be removed with a sturdy scrubbing brush.
Quality Detergents
Using quality cleaning detergents are not only good for keeping your clothes fresh and in peak condition, they can actually be good for your washing machine too. Your clothes deserve a bit of extra care and washing machines do too!
This post was provided by Kevin Garrat – a UK-based technology blogger, washing machines salesman and frugal living expert.