How to Clean Your Dishwasher and Washing Machine?
You might think that these helpful appliances, thanks to which your dishes and laundry get clean, can clean themselves, but unfortunately that's not the case. Food scraps and grease can remain in the dishwasher, and the washing machine filter collects fabric fibers and hair.
If the machine is dirty, it won't be able to clean your dishes or laundry properly. So what would be the most sensible way to clean these appliances? Actually, it's very simple and you only need household items – you don't need to bring any new cleaning products home.
Let's start with the dishwasher.
DISHWASHER CLEANING
Check the dishwasher floor
This is a good idea to do after each wash cycle. Pull out the bottom dish rack and see if any food scraps have been left on the machine floor. If there aren't any, then all is well, but if you do find something, remove it, otherwise it will start to decompose and create an unpleasant odor.
Clean the filter every couple of wash cycles
Regular cleaning of the dishwasher filter also helps prevent bad odors. Food scraps, jar labels, and detergent residue accumulate there, so scrub it with a brush under hot water every couple of wash cycles. If the filter isn't clean, your dishes won't be clean either.
Wipe the control panel with a cloth from time to time
You don't have to do this after every wash cycle, but you should keep an eye on the dishwasher control panel, as dirt tends to get between the buttons as well.
Once a month, clean thoroughly with vinegar and baking soda
If you do a more thorough cleaning of the dishwasher once a month, you'll avoid not only bad odors and dirt but also limescale buildup. First, wipe all the dishwasher surfaces with a cloth soaked in vinegar solution, and for cleaning fine cracks, use a toothbrush.
Now take a coffee mug, fill it with vinegar, place it on the upper dish rack, and run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle.
Finally, sprinkle regular baking soda on the dishwasher walls and floor, and run the machine once more, this time on a short cycle. It should be completely clean now!
WASHING MACHINE CLEANING
The same thing can happen with a washing machine as with a dishwasher – detergent residue accumulates there, which can start to smell bad. To prevent this, it's recommended to clean the washing machine once a week.
Clean the detergent drawer
You're probably well aware that the detergent drawer can get surprisingly dirty in a short time. However, cleaning it isn't too complicated. On most front-loading washing machine models, the drawer can be pulled out. If you have such a machine, pull out the drawer and scrape off the detergent residue from its sides.
Now take a brush and clean the drawer thoroughly. If you want to get rid of mold, soak the drawer in a vinegar solution.
Clean the rubber seal gaps
All sorts of small things tend to accumulate there, starting with buttons and coins, ending with socks without pairs.
Clean the washing machine filter
About once every three months, pull out the washing machine filter and clean it. This way your machine will work properly and probably last longer.
Run the machine empty with vinegar
Pour about a cupful of vinegar directly into the machine and run it on the hottest cycle. If you want to save electricity and don't want to use very hot water, you could set the machine to 60 degrees.
Do one more wash cycle, this time with baking soda
The last step should be familiar to you from cleaning the dishwasher – cleaning with baking soda. Put two tablespoons of baking soda in the washing machine drawer and press the "Start" button.
If you regularly clean both machines with vinegar and baking soda, they will stay clean and work properly.
A FEW MORE TIPS
We have a few more tips for you about both machines that will help you keep them clean and in working order.
- Leave the machine door open after a wash cycle so it can dry properly
- Don't use too much detergent. Surprisingly, detergent residue accumulated in the machine is often the main cause of bad odors.
- If you have hard water, use a water softener.
- Before putting things in the machine, remove excess dirt from both dishes and laundry: scrape dishes clean of large food scraps and shake out clothes so that, for example, mud or tissues don't end up in the machine.
