It's important to clean your washing machine's seals every 1-3 months to prevent the build of mould, bacteria and bad odours. Here's a quick and easy way to do it
While we rely on our washing machines to remove dirt from our clothes, it's just as important to regularly clean the machines themselves. Experts recommend cleansing your machine's seals every 1-3 months to prevent the build of mould, bacteria and bad odours, and ensure hygienic, fresh laundry every time. Cleanroom Panel
And there's an incredibly simple way to stay on top of this chore - using a condiment you will likely already find in your kitchen cupboards. While it is possible to buy products designed specifically for the task, or use bleach, that can prove to be costly. Instead, you can take a more natural approach, free of chemicals - and just as effective.
A post shared on the Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It Facebook page reveals that vinegar should be your go-to when it comes to cleaning washing machine seals. "While it's possible to use bleach to kill mould as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option," one user recommended.
"Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mould at the root, which means it's even less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use. White [vinegar] is better," they added.
Vinegar is actually an incredibly versatile cleaning tool. You can fill your detergent drawer with vinegar, which will descale and break down any built-up clothing detergent in the machine. Once this is all done, put the machine on its hottest cycle and run the machine on empty.
White vinegar can also be added to your machine every time you wash something. Add about 50ml or so to the fabric softener dispenser as part of your normal wash. This trick not only keeps your machine sparkly clean and disinfects it, but also helps soften your clothes. If you're worried about the unpleasant scent of vinegar, you can pick up some scented vinegar to solve the issue.
Cleaning the outside of your washing machine is important, too. Use a cloth dipped in a little vinegar to wipe the glass door and make it sparkle. It is also safe to use to clean the stainless steel drum.
And you can also use vinegar to keep your bathroom clean and sparkling. Pour vinegar into a plastic zipper bag, enough to fill it halfway, and then put the bag around your shower head so the holes and shower head are completely submerged in the liquid. Secure the bag using an elastic band and leave to soak for several hours - or ideally, overnight. The dirt and limescale will completely disappear, leaving the shower head absolutely gleaming.
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