Nowadays, the washing machine is still one of the most expensive household appliances. If you don’t take care of it, it will get damaged pretty quickly. For good reason, the drum is the ideal place for the formation of mold and deposits that can shorten the life of the washing machine. Therefore, regular care is essential, and one of the best ways is to use the natural properties of certain ingredients.

How to clean the washing machine with citric acid?

If baking soda and white vinegar are among the most commonly used detergents for cleaning the washing machine, citric acid should not be missing. To do this, it is enough to put ½ lb. in the drum of the washing machine and run the longest wash cycle at high temperature. In this way, you can very effectively neutralize the unpleasant odors that can emanate from the device, and at the same time break down the lime deposits that have accumulated inside the washing machine. But that’s not all, because this process also eliminates fungi and bacteria that have previously formed in the drum. If you do not have citric acid, you can also opt for lemon juice or even a mouthwash, which is known for its disinfecting properties.

Other alternatives for cleaning the washing machine

Now let’s move on to the other methods that can be used to clean and disinfect the washing machine:

Use white vinegar and baking soda to clean your washing machine

White vinegar is the natural product par excellence when it comes to regular washing machine maintenance, and for good reason, its disinfecting and cleaning power works perfectly against lime and moisture traces inside the machine. Combined with baking soda, white vinegar allows better absorption of unpleasant odors, but also increases its cleaning power tenfold, removing lime scale, stains, dirt and traces of mold more easily.

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar in the drum of the washing machine and 4 to 6 teaspoons of baking soda in the detergent drawer of the washing machine. Start an empty wash cycle by selecting the longest mode and the highest temperature. Afterwards, it is important to also activate another rinse cycle to remove lime and vinegar residues. Also remember to remove the drain filter to clean it along with the seal of the drum of the washing machine.

Clean your washing machine with a dishwasher tab

One of the most ingenious ways to thoroughly clean your washing machine is to use dishwasher tabs. Regardless of whether you are dealing with light, medium or stubborn dirt, the tablets can work deeply.  To do this, you just need to get one or even two of these tablets, put them in the drum of your washing machine and start a wash cycle at 140 °F. At the end of the wash cycle, your machine should be completely cleaned. In addition, this method not only removes all the dirt stuck in your washing machine, but also prevents the formation of lime deposits.

Finally, note that regular cleaning of the washing machine is essential if you want to extend its life and maintain its efficiency. In addition, the laundry will have a better quality and your laundry will be fresher and exude a pleasant scent.