How to avoid mold in the washing machine: life-saving tips

A washing machine is one of the most important appliances in the home, as it helps keep clothes, bedding, and home textiles clean and fresh. However, frequent washing in it can provoke the development of mold in the details.

This trouble manifests itself in the appearance of a musty odor and a deterioration in the quality of the appliance. Stains may remain on the washed items. If you notice at least one of these signs, it's definitely time to take care of cleaning your washing machine. OBOZ.UA found out how to do it right.

Prevention

When it comes to dealing with mold, one of the best approaches is to prevent it from developing at all. This is not easy, given that a humid and warm environment is created in the laundry room during operation, which is ideal for the development of fungi and bacteria.

To prevent this, never leave your laundry in the drum. Take them out and let them dry as soon as possible. Also, leave the appliance door and detergent tray open for a few hours after each use. This will allow your machine to dry inside. Don't forget to remove and rinse the detergent tray from time to time. And wipe it dry before putting it back on.

Another bad habit that can lead to mold and mildew in your washing machine is using the appliance as a basket for dirty clothes. Damp and wet clothes that are left in the drum for several hours before washing can lead to mold growth over time. To avoid this, put dirty clothes in a separate basket and dry them before putting them in the wash.

Cleaning your washing machine

There are many ready-made washing machine cleaners available on the market today. You can choose a liquid or powdered product, whichever is more convenient for you. Use it every 3 to 6 months according to the instructions on the package.

However, you can also use improvised products for this task. Chlorine bleach is a great way to clean the washing machine mechanism. Put on gloves and use a sponge to clean the door seal, the inside of the drum, the drum tray, and other parts. Then pour a cup of bleach liquid into the appropriate dispenser and run a long wash cycle at a hot water temperature. The drum should be completely empty.

If using bleach does not work for you for some reason, you can use products such as white vinegar and baking soda. The best way to clean the appliance with these products is to set the highest temperature and longest wash cycle on the control panel, then add 2 cups of vinegar to the detergent compartment and a third of a cup of baking soda to the drum itself. Make sure there are no clothes in the machine and start it running. When it rinses itself, don't forget to dry it from the inside.

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