Getting the cleanest laundry is much more than simply throwing your load into the washing machine, separating whites from colored articles or even adding a smidge of bleach. Fun fact, you should be giving your washing machine a thorough cleaning every other week. So if you have ignored it for over a year, it’s probably a big reason why your clothes still smell. But fear not, cleaning your washing machine can become an easy routine if you follow these steps.

The Most Effective and Safe Cleaning Solution

To begin, simply set your washer at the highest settings, ie, hot, large load and the longest wash time. Allow the washer to fill for about thirty seconds, and then begin pouring your white vinegar solution into the hot water. Why white vinegar? Well, it the most natural and effective disinfectant. Close the lid and allow the machine to go through the wash cycle for about 3 minutes.

After three minutes have passed, open the lid and let the washer to soak in the vinegar for about an hour. In the meantime, it’s time to get down to scrubbing. Using white vinegar solution and a scrubbing sponge—or any scrubbing material for that matter—clean the lip that surrounds the cavity of the washing machine. Do this by scouring the outside and underneath (inside the lip). Within this particular region, dirt, soap scum and fabric softener can build up into a nasty crust, so it’s important to do this thoroughly.

After the lip has been cleaned, you can now grab an old toothbrush to get into the small cracks and crevices within your washing machine, using the same cleaning solution. After that has been taken care of, an hour has probably passed, so continue with the washing cycle until finished.

White Vinegar’s Best Friend

Washing your washing machine does not stop at cleaning it with white vinegar. With the inside of your washing machine still wet from the recently completed cycle, take a mixture of two parts baking soda and one-part salt and pour inside the machine. Using your sponge, it’s time to scrub once more, however, this time you have to get inside and clean the inner drum. This may sound a bit too painstaking to complete, but it’ll be worth it once you experience the delightful sensation of extra clean laundry.

After scrubbing is complete, run your washing machine through one more cycle on the highest settings. With yet another hour for the cycle to complete, this is where you can begin wiping away any dirt and grime that exists on the outside, with the same vinegar mixture. Of course, the smell of white vinegar may be too off-putting and pungent to use as a cleaner, however, take heart in knowing that the aroma will only linger for a couple of hours.

With your washing machine now clean and looking good as new, it’s time to load it up with that dirty laundry that has been lying around for two weeks too long. Heck, a clean washing machine might encourage you to do laundry once a week now, instead.

Not Everything Should Be Cleaned With A washing Machine

Though having a clean washing machine is vital to having optimally clean attire to flaunt, you should know that not all clothing articles can handle the punishing wash and rinse cycles. Clothing like suede coats, shoes and designer dress pants should be taken to and handled by a professional dry cleaning company like ourselves at London Cleaners. If you call us today, you can get 30% off when you bring us at least six pieces to clean.