The washing machine is an appliance that we cannot do without at home, because it saves us the great effort of washing clothes by hand and allows us to always flaunt clean and perfumed clothes effortlessly .
However, its cleanliness should not be underestimated, since it often accumulates dirt that, if not removed, can be transferred to our clothes and affect washing.
But how do you know if the washing machine is dirty ? Very simple, just pay attention to these 4 signs! Let’s discover them together!
What will you discover?
- 1 Bad smell
- 2 black spots on the seal
- 3 dirty detergent containers
- 4 filters that get dirty quickly
- 5 tips for an always clean washing machine
Bad smell
If you often open the door of the washing machine , take out the freshly washed laundry and notice an unpleasant smell that comes from the drum but has also been transferred to the laundry, it is time to thoroughly clean your appliance.
The smell may actually be due to the buildup of cleaning products, limescale, or excessive moisture in the drum or drains. Whatever the reason, we have good news: it can be removed!
All you have to do is proceed with an empty wash by adding 150 grams of citric acid to 1 liter of water and pouring the resulting solution directly into the drum. Then set an empty wash cycle at high temperatures and… you have cleaned your washing machine from top to bottom!
And to avoid the musty smell of your washing machine, we also recommend that you always leave the door open to allow air exchange and avoid the formation of condensation.
Note: To keep your washing machine always clean, we recommend that you run the empty wash cycles once a month.
Black spots on the seal
Another sign that your washing machine is dirty are black spots along the seal caused by mold and standing water .
To remove them and get your washing machine looking new again, we recommend using vinegar, which has cleaning, anti-odor and antibacterial properties. Then fill a bowl with vinegar , dip a microfiber cloth in it, and wring it out.
Then stroke the seal several times until the stains disappear, and rinse and dry thoroughly until all traces of water are removed, as standing water is considered the main cause of mold growth!
Alternatively, you can make a kind of pasty mass by mixing a spoonful of baking soda and a teaspoon of Marseille soap and rubbing it onto the sealant with a soft brush. Then leave it on for about 5 minutes before removing the compound with a microfiber cloth, rinsing and drying thoroughly.
For an even more effective effect, you can add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the mixture, which can prevent mold formation thanks to its antifungal and antifungal properties .
Dirty detergent dispenser
In addition to sealing, dirt and mildew stains in the detergent container are also easy to find. Here too, the accumulation of detergents and fabric softeners can lead to limescale deposits.
In this case, take the right time to clean the tub thoroughly as this problem could affect the washing of your clothes. Then take the hydrogen peroxide, which is also good for removing mold from walls , and pour it into a small bowl. Then dip some cotton balls or cotton pads into it and place them in the detergent drawer.
Finally, let it sit for a while before removing it and using a toothbrush to remove all the black paint!
Note: Always use hydrogen peroxide in 10 volumes (i.e. 3%).
Filter gets dirty quickly
Finally, pay attention to the final sign that could mean your washing machine is dirtier than ever: the filter . In fact, since this component has the task of filtering all the dirt , if you notice that the device gets dirty quickly, it is advisable to proceed with an empty flush to remove the most hidden dirt in this device!
In addition, you should also dedicate yourself to cleaning the washing machine filter by first unplugging it, unscrewing the filter and cleaning it under running water.