How to Clean a Washing Machine: 4 Ways

Cleaning a washing machine from time to time is essential if you want it to work properly and safely. And just for you, 5-Minute Crafts has gathered several effective ways to make it clean and shiny again.

Preparation

Empty the drum of your washing machine. There should be no clothes inside it.

Method 1. Using baking soda and vinegar

What you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Tea tree essential oil
• A sponge
• A microfiber cloth

Steps:

1. Mix 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water to create a paste.

2. Take a sponge, dip it into the paste, and apply it to the inside of the drum. Rub the paste all over the drum.

3. Then take a microfiber cloth and wet it under running water.

4. Use the damp cloth to wipe away the soda paste from the drum.

5. After that, take a cup of white vinegar and add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to it.

6. Pour the mixture into the detergent tray and set it to the hottest possible cycle.

Method 2. Using bleach

What you’ll need:

• Household bleach

Steps:

1. Add 2 fluid ounces of bleach to the detergent drawer of your washing machine.

2. Run your machine on a hot cycle and then set one more cycle to make sure that all the bleach gets flushed out.

Method 3. Using soda crystals

What you’ll need:

• Soda crystals

Steps:

1. Pour 2 cups of soda crystals directly into the drum of your washing machine.

2. Set it to a hot cycle (preferably at 60 degrees).

Method 4: Using citric acid

What you’ll need:

• Citric acid
• A kettle

Steps:

1. Boil half a liter of water in a kettle and add 6 tablespoons (120 g) of citric acid powder to it.

2. Add the warm solution directly to the drum of your washing machine and pour some of it into the detergent tray as well.

3. Choose a 60-degree cycle and start the program.

Finishing the cleaning

Once the washing cycle is over, open the door of the machine and let it air-dry completely.