Guaranteed tips on how to clean your washing machine using household ingredients

Are you troubled by musty, stained, or insufficiently washed clothes? The reason might be a dirty washing machine. Just like any other appliance, it requires proper maintenance. We will advise you on how to restore its original cleanliness and shine.

If you want to clean something, your tools must also be clean. Therefore, it should not surprise you that a clogged washing machine will never wash laundry perfectly. How can you restore its full potential and bring back the lost freshness to your textiles? We have several proven tips on how to effectively clean your washing machine using both commercial and home remedies.

Why Regular Washing Machine Cleaning is Important

The washing machine is one of the most important appliances in the household, but its maintenance is often forgotten. If you do not clean it regularly, over time, it will accumulate solid dirt (pet hair, human hair, or lint), limescale, and detergent residues. The result can be an unpleasant odor, stains on clothes, and reduced washing machine performance, which increases your energy bills.

Cleaning your washing machine will bring several benefits to you and your household:

• Odor elimination – the washing machine's damp environment is ideal for the multiplication of bacteria, molds, and yeasts, which cause the unpleasant smell of your clothes. Regular cleaning keeps your clothes clean and fresh.
• Health and hygiene – not only fungi and molds but also detergent residues can irritate your skin through imperfectly washed clothes. This increases the risk of allergies, irritation, or infections.
• Limescale prevention – by cleaning the washing machine regularly, you reduce the accumulation of calcium deposits in the drum, pipes, or water heater. Limescale is a common cause of malfunctions and shortens the lifespan of your washing machine.
• Preserving clothes quality – if you value high-quality and nice clothes, you certainly won't be happy with unsightly stains or damaged fabric. A clean washing machine helps extend the life of your wardrobe and maintains its quality for a long time.
• Extending appliance life – regular washing machine maintenance helps prevent failures, filter clogs, and excessive wear and tear of components. It saves you repair costs and keeps your appliance functional for a long time.

How Often to Clean the Washing Machine

The frequency of washing machine maintenance depends on several factors, especially the way it is used, water quality, and the type and features of the washer. The basic recommendations are as follows:

• Cleaning the drum and seals – recommended once every 1–2 months using a suitable washing machine cleaner.
• Cleaning the detergent dispenser – ideally, at least once a month, it is good to remove the dispenser, clean it with a sponge or brush, and rinse with water.
• Cleaning filters and pump – recommended as needed (if water drains poorly) or once every 3–6 months. It is necessary to remove solid debris, such as hair, lint, and fibers.
• Limescale removal – if you have hard water at home, it is recommended to descale the washing machine every 3 months using a limescale remover.
• Prevention after every wash – if you want to prevent the washing machine from getting dirty quickly, leave the door and dispenser open after each wash to remove excess moisture.

The regularity of cleaning the washing machine also depends on the specific type. If you have a front-loading washing machine, it will require more maintenance due to the seal around the door and poorer water drainage. A top-loading washing machine does not have seals where moisture is trapped, so there is no risk of mold. Limescale also accumulates more slowly in it.

How to Effectively Clean the Washing Machine

Cleaning a washing machine may not sound appealing, but it doesn't have to be complicated or expensive at all – many effective cleaners can be found not only in the store but also in your pantry or kitchen. We have some proven tips for you.

Commercial Washing Machine Cleaner

If you don't care for eco-friendly cleaning products and are concerned about strong cleaning power, reach for commercial washing machine cleaners. Their goal is to remove limescale deposits, detergent residues, and dirt. Simply pour them into the drum of an empty washing machine and run a hot program (usually at 60 °C). Follow the instructions on the packaging and the manufacturer's guidelines for your washing machine.

Cleaning the Washing Machine with Vinegar

Some people prefer more natural and ecological cleaning products without unnecessary chemicals. In this case, you can opt for vinegar, or acetic acid, which helps remove limescale, dirt deposits, and odor. It is a cheap and readily available solution, as you almost always have vinegar at home.

However, vinegar may not be strong enough to remove dirt and limescale deposits accumulated over years. Therefore, it is particularly suitable as a regular preventative measure. At the same time, you should not overdo it, as frequent use or high concentration can damage the rubber seals.

How to clean the washing machine with vinegar

• You will need white distilled vinegar (5–9%).
• Use it undiluted – it will automatically dilute with water in the washing machine.
• Add 1 to 2 cups of vinegar to the washing machine drum and run a wash cycle at 60 to 90 °C.
• After the wash is complete, wipe the seals and the drum with a cloth.
• Let the washing machine dry with the door open.

Cleaning the Washing Machine with Baking Soda

Some people combine vinegar with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) when cleaning. In fact, this step does not make much sense. Since vinegar is an acid and soda is a base, both components neutralize each other. Although an effective foam is created, the cleaning effect will be less intense.

Therefore, baking soda or edible soda (they are the same thing) is effective mainly when used alone. It can remove accumulated grease and unpleasant odor. When maintaining the washing machine, you can alternate cleaning with soda and cleaning with vinegar, but never at the same time.

In addition to baking soda, which is suitable for gentle cleaning, you can also use stronger sodium percarbonate (soda + peroxide), which is often called washing soda. It softens water, acts as a disinfectant, removes stains, dirt, and mold.

Sodium percarbonate is used for washing as a softener (along with laundry detergent), but it can also be used to clean the washing machine. It will help degrease the drum, remove residual products, and clean the rubber seals. However, it is not very effective against limescale – vinegar is better for that. Never mix percarbonate with vinegar.

How to clean the washing machine with soda

• You will need baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or washing soda (sodium percarbonate).
• Pour 2–3 tablespoons of soda into the washing machine drum and run the longest program at at least 60 °C.
• For a heavily clogged washing machine, you can use up to 1/2 cup of soda.
• You can prepare a solution in advance, but it is not necessary – the soda will mix with the water in the washing machine.
• After the program is complete, wipe the seals and the inside of the drum with a cloth.
• Let the washing machine dry with the door open.

How to Clean the Washing Machine Filter

With every cleaning of the washing machine (or once every 2–3 months), don't forget to clean the drain pump filter. This is because all solid dirt, such as hair, pet hair, fibers, but also various objects forgotten in clothes pockets, are trapped in it. It is usually located at the bottom of the washing machine.

Procedure for cleaning the filter

• Prepare a cloth or towel and a shallow container, such as a basin.
• Place the cloth or towel and container under the filter opening to catch the residual water.
• Open the cover, unscrew the cap, and let all the water drain out.
• Manually remove solid dirt and rinse the filter under running water.
• Return the cleaned filter and tighten it firmly.

Thanks to these tips, cleaning your washing machine will be a breeze. Just give it a little attention and care every once in a while, and it will repay you with perfectly washed laundry, a fresh scent, and, above all, a long lifespan.