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Even if the washing machine always looks clean, you should clean it regularly. Otherwise, your laundry may stink and no longer get properly clean. In addition, the washing machine provides an optimal environment for germs and bacteria.
Cleaning the washing machine – this is how you proceed
Today people like to save energy, which makes sense. However, washing is often or even mostly done with the programmes at low temperatures – a paradisiacal condition for bacteria and germs to settle in and multiply vigorously. At the latest, if you notice an odour in your washing machine, you should have it cleaned. It is advisable to do this every month.
- The easiest way to clean your washing machine is with a boil wash. Simply select a washing programme at 95 degrees. Germs are only killed at this temperature. With a boil wash, however, you should only wash your towels or tea towels. Other textiles could otherwise fade easily.
- In addition to boil washing, special cleaning tabs are recommended. With these, you not only remove bacteria, but also limescale in the washing machine. The tabs also usually work best at 95 degrees.
- If you don’t have anything else at home, you can also use dishwasher tabs. These work almost exactly the same way.
- If possible, do not use liquid household cleaners. They could damage the rubber seals of the hoses. However, apple cider vinegar is an excellent substitute for the cleaner.
- In addition, washing machines cannot dry out properly if you close them after the wash cycle. This encourages bacteria to remain and multiply. Therefore, leave the washing machine door open after washing and always rub the rubber seal on the drum rim dry.
- At least once a month, you should also clean any silt from the lint filter.
- A nice side effect: Proper care and regular cleaning are hygienic measures and serve to keep the machine clean. However, you will also increase the life of the washing machine.
These home remedies help clean your washing machine
You can also resort to simple home remedies when cleaning your washing machine.
- When rubbing the rubber seals, you can use vinegar from time to time. If it is an essence, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution. The seal, but also your respiratory tract, could be damaged. The rule here is: too often is harmful.
- Citric acid is also suitable for descaling. You can also use vinegar or citric acid to thoroughly clean out the drum of the washing machine. It is important that you allow both agents to evaporate thoroughly.
- Baking powder is an all-purpose agent and is also good for cleaning the washing machine. Mix a packet of it with a little water to make a creamy paste. Pour this into the washing powder compartment or directly into the empty drum. If you now let the machine run through empty in the boil wash cycle, your washing machine will be freed from limescale and germs will also be killed.
- Soda not only makes laundry clean, but also the machine. You can actually use this household remedy with every wash cycle and thus clean your washing machine steadily. Simply add two tablespoons of soda to the washing powder. For coarse soiling, let the machine run empty and only add soda to the detergent compartment.
Cleaning the washing machine – why do it at all?
The washing machine washes your clothes clean, but not itself.
- When you take your laundry out of the drum, it looks clean, but there are various germs inside the machine.
- Nowadays, washing is usually only done at low temperatures, such as 30 or 40 degrees. This provides a wonderful environment for bacteria to grow and multiply. Even detergents do not kill these germs.
- No washing machine is completely dry at the end of a wash cycle. So there is always some water left behind in which germs multiply. This water gets back into your laundry during the next load.
