Clean your washing machine in half an hour: tips for easy cleaning and maintenance

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Although the washing machine helps you keep your clothes clean, it is not capable of cleaning itself, of course. So... this chore is down to you! Therefore, if your washing machine is giving off an unpleasant odor and/or is under-performing, it's probably a sign that you need to give your appliance a good cleaning.

To do this, you can use various methods, but most of them are quite time-consuming. So, what if you don't have the time? Well, here's a way to thoroughly clean your washing machine in just half an hour.

How to clean your washing machine in half an hour

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Many washing machines now have super-fast programs, which complete a wash cycle in just 15 or 20 minutes. These quick cycles can help you do a quick clean of the appliance. You will need:

• white vinegar (or citric acid)
• sodium bicarbonate
• a toothbrush
• a sponge or microfiber cloth

Here's how to proceed:

• Wet the sponge, wring it out and pour in a teaspoon of bicarbonate onto it;
• Wipe the sponge around drum, adding more bicarbonate when necessary. You need to coat the whole drum but don't go overboard with the amount of bicarbonate you use;
• Pour a teaspoon of bicarbonate into the door gasket/seal and scrub it with the toothbrush to remove any dirt and grime. Often, mold or slime will build up in the seal;
• Again using bicarbonate and the toothbrush, clean the detergent tray. When quick-cleaning, you may not have time to remove the tray and wash it separately, so at least try get into all the corners with the toothbrush;
• When you have finished doing the above, close the door and pour a glass of vinegar into the detergent tray. If you use citric acid instead, it is best to dilute two tablespoons in a glass of hot water, and then pour this mixture into the detergent tray;
• Run a quick-wash program at 40°C;
• As soon as the wash is finished, open the door and leave it open for at least a couple of hours.

Using this method, you can use the washing machine again just a few hours after having cleaned it. However, for a more thorough cleaning (or you have more time available), run a longer wash cycle at a higher temperature (60°C is fine) and again, leave the door open at the end.

It's best to always check the filter

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When you have time, and if you haven't done it for a while, you should also clean the washing machine's filter. A dirty filter will compromise the functioning of your appliance, so it's important to do this periodically.

Place a towel on the floor under the filter housing, open the filter's door and then unscrew the filter itself: some water will probably run out, so be prepared for this. Once you have removed that filter, put it in a basin of warm water into which you have added some hydrogen peroxide. Leave it to soak for at least 15 minutes, then dip a toothbrush in a little baking soda and scrub all parts of the filter to remove any dirt or mold. Rinse well and allow to dry thoroughly.

While the filter is soaking, you can also clean the filter housing itself with a cloth and a sanitizing degreaser or a little white vinegar. Once done, dry off.

Put the filter back into the housing and now, your washing machine is ready to get back into action!