Washing machines can build soap, limescale, dirt, and other contaminants. They can also be home to mildew or mold. It must be cleaned. What if there is no vinegar in your house?
You can clean your washing machine with cleaning tablets, dishwashers, or bleach. You should also scrub the washer’s gaskets, dispensers, and seals. To allow air circulation, keep the machine’s lid closed between uses.
Vinegar or baking soda are common and eco-friendly remedies for washing machines that have become dirty. Vinegar is not for everyone.
There are many options. It all depends on your budget, preferences, and needs.
You can read how to clean a washing machine with baking soda and where to put it. Also, another guide will help you know can baking soda damage your washing machine?
What can vinegar do to clean washing machines?
Vinegar is the magic sauce that can do everything. After learning all about the many benefits of vinegar cleaning the washing machine and entire house, we spent over an hour wondering why we had spent so much time on chemical cleaners for so long.
One for the mirrors and one for our bathroom… we had everything we needed, but we didn’t know it.
One example: We almost wept when we used vinegar to clean the washer. Our washer was not an easy task to clean. We had not cleaned it in years and didn’t know what it was supposed to do. But vinegar was able to wash away any dirt and grime.
Vinegar is an acidic compound that cleans washing machines easily. This makes it perfect for removing bacteria, mold, mildew, dirt, and limescale. Vinegar can be your best friend if your washing machine smells worse than your sweaty yoga pants.
How can we clean our washer without using vinegar?
1. Washing Machine Cleaning with Citric Acid
You can clean your washer with citric Acid, an organic way to clean it without using vinegar. That’s why lemon juice is such a powerful cleaning agent. It does not contain natural sugars.
- A natural disinfectant, citric Acid kills bacteria, mildew, and mould. It is a good alternative to limescale removal.
- Citric Acid, unlike lemon juice, is available in powdered form. You’ll need to mix the powder and water to make a cleaning paste or spray.
- Baking soda can be used to make the same results as vinegar. Some claim it’s even better.
- Citric Acid can also be used to wash clothes. Place it in the fabric softener dispenser. It will soften your clothes and help keep limescale under control.
- Use it as a cleaner to clean the washing machine main drum.
- In a drum, add one cup of citric Acid and, if you wish, half a cup of baking soda.
- The LG washing machine can be run on the clean setting or the longest and most efficient setting
2. Washing Machine Cleaning with Tablets
Washing machine cleaning tablets are becoming increasingly popular in today’s busy world. Some claim to be eco-friendly, others promise to descale and bleach, while others contain harsh chemicals or other harsh agents.
Some cleaning tablets may not be safe for a septic tank. An eco-friendly tablet is the best choice if you have a tank. You may still need to clean gaskets and seals, despite the claims. It should be easier if you use the tablets first.
You will also need to clean the dispenser separately since none of these tablets is intended for use.
3. Washing Machine Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide
A great alternative to vinegar is hydrogen peroxide for washing machines. Vinegar is sometimes preferred by those who use it for cleaning the main drum, but not for the smaller places like the gaskets or seals.
Hydrogen peroxide is a great way to remove limescale and eliminate most viruses and bacteria lurking around. It is a safer alternative to bleach but does not harm the environment much. However, it is slower than bleach in terms of its effectiveness.
It can be applied to dirty areas by simply rubbing it on. After that, wait for an hour and then scrub. For difficult creases, old toothbrushes work well. Another handy tool is the Q-tips or earbuds.
It can be used to clean the dispenser and the door.
After scrubbing the machine, you can clean its main body.
- Add 2 cups of water and half a cup of hydrogen peroxide to a drum.
- Next, turn the washer on the longest and hottest cycle. Some people may prefer a second rinse.
4. Washing Machine Cleaning with chlorine bleach
Because it leaves bleach marks on clothing, chlorine bleach can be problematic. It can’t be safely mixed into other products. It is important to wash your machine after using the stuff.
Chlorine bleach can be used with cool water. The maximum temperature at which chlorine bleach can be used is 104 F (40 C).
Pour about a quarter of the chlorine bleach into the drum. To clean the drum, it should be run on a cool cycle at 104 F (40 C). It is a great idea to rinse the drum once more.
5. Washing Machine Cleaning with Dishwasher Tablets
A dishwasher tablet is another popular way to clean inside a washing machine. It is important to place it in the drum and not the dispenser.
However, you must ensure that the machine is thoroughly rinsed after use.
Some people simply run the machine through a second wash cycle without adding any detergent. This will ensure that all residue and detergent are removed.
6. Washing Machine Cleaning with bathroom cleaner
Many people will use their favorite bathroom cleaners to scrub their washing machines. These products are made to remove soap scum and mould from damp areas.
It is important to rinse the washer after using this method. The residue shouldn’t get on your clothes or irritate your skin.
7. Use Baking Soda to deodorize your washing machine
It is not necessary to clean your washer again if it has been cleaned recently and still looks sparkling. Baking soda is the only thing you need to remove a mild musty odor.
It is well known that baking soda can deodorize. Many people are unaware that vinegar can neutralize baking soda’s deodorizing abilities.
Baking soda and vinegar can be a great combination, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work well together. Baking soda alone is a better option than vinegar when trying to eliminate odors.
To use:
- Mix 2 cups baking soda and equal (or slightly more!) warm water.
- Place the mixture in your machine’s drum and let it sit for half an hour.
- Turn the washer on high.
- After the washing machine is finished, open the door and allow it to air dry.
8. Use Tea Tree Oil to deodorize your washing machine
Tea tree oil can easily remove that musty scent but has a strong odor. Lemon tea tree oil is available if you don’t like standard tea tree oils.
It aslo acts as a natural disinfectant to eliminate bacteria, mould, and fungus.
To use:
- Two teaspoons of tea tree should be added to the drum.
- It can be run on the self-cleaning cycle or the hottest setting.
- Let the door air dry.
9. Use Oxygen Bleach to deodorize your washing machine
The sodium percarbonate is what makes oxygen bleach. It is safer than regular bleach but stronger than baking soda (sodium carbonate).
You can use the following as a substitute for baking soda:
- Mix 2 cups of the liquid with equal (or slightly more!) warm water.
- Place the mixture in your machine’s drum and let it sit for half an hour.
- Turn the washer on high.
- After that, open the door and allow it to air dry.
10. Clean the Dispenser Tray
You must clean the dispenser tray separately. You can clean the dispenser tray using the same methods, but some of them are removable. This allows you to soak it in the sink, scrub it and then put it in the dishwasher.
An old toothbrush and Q-tips can come in handy to remove scum from hard-to-reach corners and crevices. Use a paper towel or a cloth to clean the main compartment of the dispenser.
11. Clean the filter
It’s vital to wash the filter regularly for your washing machine to do its job properly. This can be found near or within the fabric softener dispenser. Some machines keep them behind a door at the top or bottom of their machine.
Some filters can be difficult to open. Also, some filters may need a coin or screwdriver to open. Some are very tight and require you to be strong or to use a tool such as fat nose pliers to achieve enough torque and grip.
Water may also rush out of filters near the bottom, especially if they are located close to the top. A tray or a small pan can be placed below the filter.
After the water has dried, open the lid and remove any coins, paper clips, or hair ties.
Finally, clean the filter. Some filters are removable in semi-automatic washing machines, so you can clean them just like you would with a removable dispenser. Some are fixed, so you will need to clean them gently with a toothbrush, towel, or cloth.
How to maintain the Hoses on a Washing Machine?
Check the hoses connecting the hot and cold water to your washing machine every so often. Remove them and check for obstructions.
The hoses should be fitted with a filter to keep dirt, sand, and other contaminants out of the machine.
How to keep a washing machine clean and fresh?
Every once in a while, washing machines need to be scrubbed. A few tricks are gonna help you keep your machine cleaner and extend the time between cleans.
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- Dry Seals and Gaskets: Standing water and damp can be breeding grounds for bacteria, mould, and mildew. Between uses, clean the seals and, if possible, the gaskets if you have front loading.
- Increase the temperature: Washing clothes at lower temperatures is becoming more common. This is a cost-saving measure, better for the environment, and prolongs the clothes’ life. Low-temperature washes can leave behind buildup and may not kill bacteria or mould.
- Detergent (Less Is More): Too much detergent can cause scum and buildup. Use only the minimum amount. Do not exceed the recommended amount. More doesn’t always mean cleaner. It can also mean that you haven’t washed your clothes thoroughly after using soap, which can cause skin irritations and rashes.
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- Keep the door open: Keep the door open between uses. This is one of the best ways to reduce bacteria, mildew, and mould growth. Front-loaders can be very simple. You just need to keep it open. To prevent your top-loader from opening like Jaws, you can use a sponge or foam brick to wedge the door.
- Use powder instead of liquid: Powder detergents are less likely to cause damage to a machine than liquid. Fabric softener almost always comes in liquid form. If you want to avoid vinegar, citric Acid is a good alternative. Another option is lemon juice. If you have a tumble dryer, you can use dryer balls to replace fabric softeners. You can use either two tennis balls or wool dryer balls.
- Keep the soap dispenser open: Soap dispensers can often stay moist even after being closed, just like the gaskets and the door. This is another reason soap dispensers can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. It is possible to dry the drawer by leaving it open between uses.