Say goodbye to bad washing machine smells with natural tricks
Preserving your precious washing machine to always have clean and healthy clothes is essential. Cleaning it then becomes a priority for both your clothes and your washing machine so that it works for longer. In addition, some maintenance actions are required to eliminate bacteria and bad smells that may appear.
A dirty or poorly maintained washing machine will inevitably result in laundry that is not very clean and can also smell bad. If you want to opt for natural washing methods to eliminate bad smells emanating from your device, here are some ecological tips for you to do so.
Why can a washing machine give off a bad smell?
The limestone contained in the water can be the first culprit. It can thus accumulate in the basket and pile up inside the pipes, making the water somewhat calcareous and unpleasant. In addition, debris can accumulate in the drum seal and cause a bad smell. Other causes can be cited, such as:
– The door and detergent drawer are not ventilated
– Detergent that can clog the detergent drawer
– Clothes that remain locked in the machine for too long
– Drain pipes that are clogged
– Poor wastewater disposal
What should be done to eliminate bad odors from the washing machine?
Clean the drum
This should be done periodically. Prepare a solution of water and white vinegar that you will spray inside the drum, then wipe with a microfiber cloth. White vinegar is an anti-limescale that removes residue and bad odors. To further deodorize your washing machine, you can add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice to the spray solution.
Another method is to pour a liter of white vinegar into the drum along with a cup of baking soda. Run the washing machine at 90° for 1 to 2 minutes, then stop the machine and let it sit for an hour. Then run the full wash cycle again. Clean at the end with a microfibre cloth soaked in white vinegar. Repeat this once a month. Renowned for its antibacterial action, white vinegar will effectively and naturally disinfect your washing machine.
Cleaning the detergent drawer of the washing machine
As soon as you notice a deposit of detergent in the detergent drawer , remove it and rinse it with warm water. Use an old, clean toothbrush to remove any residue that sticks to the walls. Once clean, put it back in place. Make sure it is dry to avoid mould.
Cleaning the drum seal
It is a more delicate operation since this material is made of rubber. It accumulates dirt and detergent residue, which generates unpleasant, sometimes nauseating odours. To clean it naturally, prepare a paste based on baking soda, lemon . Using a brush soaked in this preparation, make movements inside the rubber. Then rinse the seal with a damp microfibre cloth.
Cleaning the washing machine filters
Filters help prevent debris from migrating into the washing machine. It is therefore essential to clean them every quarter. To do this, turn off the water, then unscrew the inlet hose and clean the filters located at the ends of the latter, using a brush. Then put all the elements back in place. It is also important to check the drain pipe and make sure it does not contain deposits, in which case it should be changed.
An anti-odor tip for your washing machine
To do this you will need:
– 100 ml of alcohol vinegar or apple cider vinegar
– 5 drops of lavender essential oil
– 5 drops of tea tree oil
– 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
– 1 tablespoon of baking soda
Put all these ingredients in the drum of the washing machine and run a normal wash cycle. You can also use them to perfume your clothes instead of fabric softener. You will have perfectly scented laundry and at the same time your washing machine will no longer smell bad.
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