It’s not really something that comes to mind too often, but cleaning your washing machine can be a life saver. If you clean your washing machine regularly, thoroughly and naturally then the benefits can be seen in so many ways. Your clothes will come out much cleaner, power bill won’t be as high with a properly functioning machine, health conditions can improve and much more! So read on below to find out how to naturally clean your machine and exactly how often you should be.
How often should you clean your machine?
A washing machine should be cleaned once every month to keep things fresh and healthy. Washing machines can collect a whole heap of nasties like dirt, grime, dust, dead skin and much more. Cleaning your machine once a month can help prevent the machine transferring all of this back into the fabric of your clothes each time you wash.
We recommend that if clothes containing concrete, grease and other substances that can come home from the workplace are washed in your machine then it’s a good idea to clean your washing machine more than once a month. A good minimum would be twice a month if possible.
How to clean a top loader washing machine naturally
- Set your machine to run on it’s hottest cycle and keep it empty of clothes and detergent
- Add 4 cups of white vinegar to the hot water and close the lid to let it mix for a minute or two
- Now put in 1/2 – 1 cup of baking soda
- Turn the machine off or pause it and let it all sit together for about an hour
- While your ingredients are doing their thing inside the tub, use an old rag and toothbrush dipped in the vinegar mixture
- Go around every inch of your washing machine that isn’t soaking in the vinegar mixture (including the soap dispensers) and give it all a good scrub
- After your tub has finished soaking, continue the cycle you were on before until all of the water is drained
- Now all that’s left is to wipe down the tub with a damp cloth and you’re done!
Bonus Tip: After each wash, keep the lid of your machine open to reduce the chances of mould inside the tub.
This method to clean your washing machine will take about the same amount of time it takes to fully clean your fridge and what’s better is that we didn’t need to use any harsh chemicals. Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog on how to clean a front loader naturally, too!