Honestly, I didn't know that cleaning your washing motorcar was a thing. I hateful, it gets cleaned every time you launder your clothes, correct?

Incorrect. If y'all think about it, your washing motorcar is constantly bombarded with bits of food, fibers, and other organic materials that can get caught in the nooks and crannies. Besides the wet, warm surroundings inside your automobile is a perfect breeding ground for mildew and mold, especially in the hard-to-accomplish areas, which may never completely dry. Third, detergents and hard h2o tin can build upwards, which can dull your apparel and clog the mechanisms. In short, all this crud equals a less than pristine machine.

To acquire how best to naturally clean a motorcar, I turned to my friend Marnie, a laundry goddess who showed me the ropes in her own laundry room.

Photography by Justine Paw.

Just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand are all you need to make your machine spic and span.
Above: Just a few unproblematic ingredients that you probably already have on manus are all you need to make your motorcar spic and bridge.

Materials

  • white vinegar
  • baking soda
  • hydrogen peroxide (optional; apply if you have mold)
  • rag
  • toothbrush

How to Clean a Front Loader

Stride 1:

Brainstorm past wiping down the nooks and crannies outside the drum. Marnie is shown here using a rag dipped in a little vinegar. Brand sure you don't utilise anything abrasive on the glass or enamel as it tin scratch. You can also soak whatever removable parts in a 2 to 1 water to vinegar solution.

How to Clean a Washing Machine
Above: Dip a rag in vinegar and wipe clean the door.
Eeeeww! This is the grime we got from wiping the rubber seal around the glass.
In a higher place: Eeeeww! This is the grime nosotros got from wiping the safety seal around the drinking glass.
Most front loaders have a rubber gasket. Using a toothbrush, peel back these layers and really get into the hard-to-reach spots. (Note the little bits at the bottom of the photo. Yuck!) If this area has mold or mildew, use a rag or brush dipped in peroxide to kill it, and then wipe it away. For any stubborn grime, you can also utilize the mildly abrasive power of baking soda.
Above: Most front loaders accept a rubber gasket. Using a toothbrush, peel back these layers and actually become into the hard-to-reach spots. (Note the little $.25 at the lesser of the photo. Yuck!) If this surface area has mold or mildew, use a rag or castor dipped in peroxide to kill it, and then wipe it abroad. For whatsoever stubborn grime, you tin can also utilize the mildly abrasive power of baking soda.

Pace ii:

Once the exposed parts are make clean, tackle the inside. Depending on the size of your model, fill up the liquid detergent dispenser with 1 or 2 cups of vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will help break down any hard water and soap scum and will disinfect the machine.

 Helpful readers have also suggested adding vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser as part of your normal wash.
Above: Helpful readers take also suggested adding vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser as part of your normal wash.

Step 3:

Set your machine on the sanitize or hottest cycle, full-load setting, and run–without whatsoever dress in it.

If your machine has a
Higher up: If your machine has a "sanitize" setting, use information technology.
When you're done, check the interior of the machine and wipe away any particles that may have come loose during the cycle.
Above: When you're done, check the interior of the auto and wipe abroad any particles that may take come loose during the cycle.

Step iv:

Your machine may as well benefit from an additional smell-and-soap-scum-fighting pace. If so, add together 1/3 loving cup blistering soda to the drum and run the machine on hot once more. To save water, you can alternating between blistering soda one calendar month and vinegar the adjacent. Just be certain not to mix the blistering soda (a base of operations) and the vinegar (an acid) in the same cycle as they volition neutralize each other. It won't harm the automobile, but yous volition lose the beneficial effects of each.

Running a cycle with baking soda will help deodorize the machine.
Above: Running a bicycle with baking soda will help deodorize the auto.
 That's it. Now Marnie's machine is truly clean. For best results, repeat this thorough cleaning process every four to six weeks.
Above: That'south it. Now Marnie's motorcar is truly clean. For all-time results, repeat this thorough cleaning process every four to six weeks.

How to Clean a Top Loader

Beginning fill your automobile with with hot water (no clothes). Stop the cycle afterwards it'due south full and add 3 cups vinegar and stir or agitate the machine. Permit sit one hour before you go along the bike. While you lot're waiting, utilise the mixture inside the machine equally your exterior cleaning solution, or use a trivial baking soda and water. (Recall don't mix vinegar and baking soda every bit their chemic properties abolish each other out.) With a rag and toothbrush, wipe downwards the exterior and scour difficult-to-reach areas. You lot can likewise soak whatsoever removable parts in this vinegar bath, while you clean the outside. When yous're finished, close the lid and go on the wash cycle.

Other Tips for Keeping Your Washing Auto Squeaky Clean

  • When the machine is not in use, e'er go out the door open to ensure that the interior dries thoroughly.
  • Never leave damp apparel in the washer–transfer them immediately to the dryer.
  • Proceed the peak surfaces free of lint and detergent.
  • Remove lint from the dryer screen after every use.

N.B.: This post is an update; it was first published on June four, 2015 on Remodelista.

For more natural cleaning methods, see:

  • Your Weekend Projection: Deep-Clean Your Dishwasher
  • The Minimalist: The Only 4 Ingredients Y'all Need to Make clean Your Entire Home
  • Your Weekend Project: Deodorize the Refrigerator with Just Two Ingredients