How to clean the washing machine: tips and tricks
How many times have you happened to start the washing machine and of leave in the laundry until the next morning, why did you forget or simply because you were too tired to hang out the clothes? Here, this is one of those things that can be defined as one bad habit and that I have done too from time to time (I confess). There are others too, of course. Just as there are some precautions to follow if you want to have one washing machine that washes well and for many years. I know it's a boring and age-old task, but it must be faced: cleaning the washing machine must be on our to do list monthly things to do at home. At least until they invent washing machines that clean themselves (like self-cleaning pyrolytic ovens).
I have already mentioned why: one clean washing machine is synonymous with perfectly clean and sanitized laundry, optimized consumption And extended life cycle of the machine itself. But what makes our beloved washing machine “dirty”? The enemies we have to fight against are mainly encrustations of limestone, molds and bacteria, accumulations of detergent and of softener, miscellaneous residues of dirt. Defeating them is very simple and requires short while, just a little elbow grease (not too much) and some natural ingredient that we all have in the kitchen: vinegar white wine, baking soda and lemon. So our hands don't get damaged, we do not pollute the environment it's ours wallets thanks us. Are you ready to start?
How to clean the washing machine drum
Let's start with the basket. For clean the surface at stainless steel from limestone and at the same time disinfect it from the bacteria, I recommend that you schedule once a month a empty washing(preferably at high temperatures), by pouring directly inside the washing machine a glass of white wine vinegar and putting some even in the bowl some detergent. The vinegar in the washing machine is also useful against bad smells. To enhance its effect, you can add some sodium bicarbonate. A little trick: to avoid the formation of mould, remember to remove the laundry immediately at the end of each wash and of dry the basket. then leave thedoor always open when the appliance is not in operation, so as to favor the air passage and prevent the accumulation of water.
How to clean the gasket and rubber
The washer gasket and rubber are the most delicate parts where mold proliferates more easily. Here too I recommend a simple precaution: dry the gaskets well after each laundry, because it often happens that water accumulates and stagnates in the interstices. For a targeted clean, use a natural paste that you can make yourself at home, to be passed directly on the rubber parts with a toothbrush from teeth. Pasta can be a mix of various elements: vinegar, lemon and baking soda of sodium or only water and bicarbonate. The important thing is that the dough is homogeneous and creamy, not too liquidotherwise it won't adhere well to the rubber and won't do the job as it should.
How to clean the filter
Filter cleaning can also be managed once a year, fortunately. The water drain filter is usually placed down the front of the washing machine and is protected by a small flap. The filter must be removed when the machine is not running e after carefully turning off the water. When doing this, always keep a container under the flap, because it is possible that residual water and dirt may leak out. Once disassembled, clean the filter by putting it under a stream of running water and equip yourself with the usual toothbrush with baking soda paste. If the filter is particularly encrusted due to limescale and dirt, you can leave it sooner soaked in a solution composed of water and vinegar for some hours. The same mixture can be used to degrease the pan detergent and fabric softener.
As you have seen, you do not necessarily need chemicals to have a washing machine in good health and fully functional, despite many TV commercials trying to convince us otherwise. The so-called grandmother's remedies (assuming our grandmothers had a washing machine to wash the laundry) they should never be underestimated, also because they save a lot of time valuable (besides being effective). Seeing is believing!
