Home remedies and instructions for proper cleaning and descaling of the washing machine

At the latest, when the laundry does not get clean anymore or the washing machine stinks, it is time for a proper cleaning. Read here how to clean and maintain your washing machine in no time with simple home remedies.
Cleaning the washing machine – in 5 easy steps
1. Wipe the washing machine from the outside with a damp cloth from. If necessary, you can use some mild detergent. How to remove dust, detergent residues and other dirt.
2. Clean the lint filter. You will need a shallow container, to catch water, and a rag and a kitchen towel. ÖOpen the door, which is usually located at the bottom right or left of the front of the washing machine. Drain the water from the drain hose and then remove the lint filter. Clean the lint filter under lukewarm running water. Wipe the insertion channel with a kitchen towel.
In this video you can see how to clean the lint filter:
3. Cleaning rubber sealswater often collects, especially on the lower rubber seals of the flap, which can be responsible for odors. Soak up the water with a cloth and then wipe all the seals with a mixture of water and citric acid. Dissolve about 30 grams of citric acid in 1 liter of water.
4. Take the detergent compartment clean out and remove coarse soiling first with a soft cloth or sponge under running water. Then put it in a bucket or in the sink and put half a liter of vinegar or vinegar essence on it. Now add as much water as you need to cover the drawer. Leave the cleaning agent to work for a few minutes before rinsing the detergent drawer with clean water and putting it back in place.
5. Clean the drum the washing machine. The easiest way to do this is to wash the machine in idle mode (without laundry) at the hottest temperature (90 degrees is best). If you want to clean the washing machine properly, use one of the home remedies that we present to you below.
Clean the washing machine with these 5 home remedies
Baking sodasodium bicarbonate is a true all-rounder in the household – and this also applies to cleaning the washing machine. Add 50 grams of sodium bicarbonate to the detergent compartment and run the machine at 60 degrees or more.
Citric acidthe advantage of citric acid is the pleasant scent that it gives to the washing machine. Put about 8 tablespoons of citric acid in the empty drum and start the machine idling at the highest temperature. At the same time the household remedy will decalcify your washing machine. (buy citric acid here on amazon [ADVERTISEMENT])
Dishwashing tabs: what is good for cutlery and dishes is also good for the washing machine. Put a dishwashing tab in the empty washing machine drum and start a wash cycle at a minimum of 60 degrees. Also the tab is very suitable for descaling the washing machine.
Baking soda: no sodium bicarbonate at hand? don’t worry, even baking soda will clean your washing machine. Mix 30 grams of baking soda (2 sachets) with a little water to make a paste. Put the paste in the detergent dispenser and start the cycle at high temperature.
Soda: just like soda, soda is excellent for cleaning. washing soda, which is used to clean clothes, you can buy in the drugstore or online (ADVERTISEMENT). Add 1-2 tablespoons of soda to the detergent during the next wash cycle for a quick clean in between. Alternatively, pour about 50 grams of the household detergent into the detergent drawer and let the machine run empty at maximum temperature.
Cleaning the washing machine with vinegar – is it possible??
Vinegar is actually ideal if you want to decalcify your washing machine. However, the acid in the vinegar can attack the rubber seals and hoses of the washing machine in the long term, causing damage. In addition, vinegar usually spreads an unpleasant odor. Clean only the detergent compartment with vinegar. This is where the risk of damage is lowest.
How often should you clean the washing machine?
it is best to clean your washing machine thoroughly every 4 to 8 weeks, so that stubborn deposits and calcification don’t stand a chance in the first place. At the latest, if the washing machine stinks or the laundry smells unpleasant after washing, you should clean your washing machine.
Preventing the washing machine from stinking: 4 simple tips
following these tips will reduce the risk of mold, germs and deposits, and you won’t have to clean your washing machine so often.
- Always leave the washing machine door and detergent compartment open a little so that any remaining water can evaporate.
- Use the right amount of detergent and fabric softener to avoid buildup. Most of the time we use too much detergent.
- Wash regularly at high temperatures (at least 60°C). Towels, bed linen and underwear made of cotton, as well as cleaning cloths and dish towels, can usually be washed at high temperatures without hesitation – and should be, in order to kill bacteria.
- Regularly add soda to the detergent. Soda ash cleans laundry and washing machine, and is harmless to the environment. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the household remedy to the detergent now and then.
This is why you need to clean your washing machine
the task of the washing machine is to clean clothes and other textiles. Isn’t the washing machine itself always clean anyway?? Unfortunately not! And for these reasons:
Low washing temperaturesWashing at 20 to 40°C saves energy, but does not always kill all germs completely. They then remain in the washing machine and can provide for stink.
Water residuesWith each wash, a little water remains in the detergent compartment, on the seals and in the hoses. Unfortunately, this provides an optimal breeding ground for bacteria and mold.
Deposits: detergent residues, hair and lint remain not only in the lint filter, but also in the drum and the hoses. Mold and foul odors can also develop here.