How to clean a washing machine using things you already have at home
Cleaning the washing machine once a month not only keeps the appliance working well it also makes your clothes and linens cleaner.
It's one of the easiest parts of the home to clean and for the most part only takes a few seconds and the press of a button.
There are lots of washing machine cleaning products you can buy, but most contain only one dose and cost between $4.50 and $10.
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Washing machines need cleaning once a month. Getty
So you can save a lot by using cheaper pantry products that you likely already own, and if not they're cheaper to buy and will last longer than a one dose bottle.
For a detailed breakdown of how to clean front and top loader machines, click here.
Here are things you can clean the washing machine with that you already have at home:
Vinegar
White vinegar can be used for cleaning many things in the home. Getty
Probably the cheapest of all home cleaning products, white vinegar can be purchased at Coles and Woolworths for $1.85 for a 2L bottle.
Vinegar is great for neutralising odours and breaking down the limescale and detergent residue that can coat washing machine drums.
To use add two cups of white vinegar to the machine and run on the hottest, longest cycle.
Vinegar can also be used to clean mouldy door seals on front loaders and to soak mouldy detergent drawers in for both types of machines.
Before using vinegar ensure there is no bleach present as mixing bleach and vinegar results in a toxic gas.
Baking soda
Baking soda soda is a staple in the pantry and the laundry. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Baking or bicarb soda is another affordable pantry item that should be kept in your laundry anyway because of its many uses there. A 1kg bag of bicarb soda can be purchased for $3.50 at Coles.
Baking soda is an effective deodoriser and also a gentle and natural abrasive that can break down detergent residue and limescale.
To clean the washing machine with baking soda add one cup and run the hottest, longest cycle.
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Citric acid
Citric acid is a powerful soap scrud remover. Getty
Unless you do a lot of cooking this one is less likely to be in your kitchen already, but it's worth having it on hand as a cleaning supply.
Citric acid can be purchased for $3 for a 75g can at Coles and $5 for a 150g can at Woolworths.
It's great for descaling the machine and breaking down detergent residue, this makes it a particularly good option if you're battling persistent soap scrud.
In fact, it's even recommended by washing machine brand LG as a way to get rid of soap scrud.
Simply add 150g of citric acid (or two 75g cans) to the washing machine and set it on the hottest, longest cycle. Then run a normal hot wash cycle with nothing added to the machine.
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Washing soda
Also known as soda crystals, this product can clean things in every room of the house and costs just $5 for a 1kg bag.
It is great for breaking down residue from detergent, grease and limescale.
To clean the machine with washing soda add one and a half to two cups to a long, hot wash cycle.
Washing soda has many uses in the laundry. Woolworths
Oxygen bleach
Sodium percarbonate is a type of bleach you can use instead of harsh chlorine bleach, which isn't recommended for cleaning the machine.
It is a little more expensive than vinegar or baking soda but is a valuable addition to your laundry or cleaning cupboard, especially for brightening white washing. Oxygen bleach can be found at eco stores and online.
To clean your washing machine with oxygen bleach add one cup to a hot wash.
Before using bleach ensure there is no vinegar present as mixing bleach and vinegar results in a toxic gas.
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Sodium percarbonate or oxygen bleach is a better household cleaner than chlorine bleach. Getty
Hot water
If you haven't got any of the above on hand and need to clean your washing machine then just use hot water.
A long, hot cycle can work wonders for breaking down detergent residue.
If you find it was not enough to get rid of the issues plaguing your machine you can always run it again with just hot water.
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After cleaning the tub don't forget to wipe door seals, lint filters and detergent drawers. Getty
What if I only have cold water connected?
You can still clean your washing machine using cold water but it won't be as effective as with hot water, so you might have to run the cleaning cycle twice.
If using oxygen bleach, washing soda, baking soda and citric acid it is best to dissolve these in hot or warm water first before adding to the drum if you're using cold water to clean the machine.
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