Mold and humidity on the laundry and in the washing machine, it’s over!
When your laundry just came out of the washing machine and was supposed to be clean and fresh, but it smelled foul? Sadly, damp and musty smells are very common. They can be explained by a washing machine that is simply too scaled up. Fortunately, you can easily clean your washing machine and get rid of these unpleasant odors, both on your laundry and inside it, by following these excellent tips.
What is the best way to clean your washing machine?
In summary:
Washing machine anti-odor cleaning
What is the best way to clean the door seal on a washing machine?
What is the best way to clean the detergent drawer?
What is the best way to unclog the machine’s filter?
What is the best way to descale the machine drum and ducts?
In (almost) hopeless cases, clean the washing machine’s depths
What is the best way to get rid of bad odors in laundry?
Washing machine anti-odor cleaning
There’s no denying that our washing machines are often neglected because dirt rarely shows up inside! However, if you choose to wash at low temperatures most often, it’s very likely that residues of fabric softener, detergent, limescale deposits, and all kinds of dirt will end up accumulating inside the machine.
To have a machine and clothes that smell good, the first thing you should do is to thoroughly clean your washing machine.
What is the best way to clean the door seal on a washing machine?
Start by cleaning the door seal of the machine, a place where dirt often slips in:
Remove product residue and degrease the seal with a toothbrush soaked in dishwashing liquid. Rinse well afterward.
After that, wipe with a microfiber cloth and white vinegar.
Baking soda can be used if there is mold or the joint is very dirty.
In case the traces do not disappear despite your efforts, replace the seal directly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the best way to clean the detergent drawer?
In your washing machine, the detergent drawer can easily mold because of moisture and product residue… and therefore teem with bacteria that emit bad odors.
If you use boiling water to clean it, the residue will dissolve and you can easily remove it. Brush the detergent drawer with white vinegar and a sponge. In a jiffy, you’re done!
When the machine’s filter becomes clogged, how can it be unclogged?
As a washing machine’s filter becomes clogged or clogged with dirt over time (hair, fabric, handkerchiefs forgotten in pockets, etc.), waste water cannot escape. If stagnant water is left to build up inside your washing machine, it will inevitably cause bacteria to grow and bad odors to form. Therefore, it is essential to regularly clean the filter of a washing machine.
It’s as simple as removing it (depending on your machine model, it may be located at different places, check your instructions to safely remove it!) and running it under hot water. You can degrease it with a toothbrush and washing-up liquid, then rinse with clean water to dry.
Remember to use a mop to wipe up the water when you remove the filter from your machine!
What is the best way to descale the machine drum and ducts?
Don’t forget to clean the drum of your washing machine in style to ensure it is free of bacteria and mold… 3 liters of white vinegar will act as a powerful degreaser and eliminate scale and bad odors in your washing machine drum and pipes, so you can clean them in style. The tea tree essential oil will remove mold and odors inside the machine, as well as act as a strong mold remover. Add about 20 drops. Launch an empty program for a cycle at 60°C and see what happens!
If all else fails: clean the washing machine’s depths
It is possible that mold has lodged in hard-to-reach places in your washing machine or that the odor comes from the drain if, despite all these good tips, bad odors persist in your washing machine. Check the drains first if they are scaled, then rub with a bottle brush to remove the scale. If they are scaled, clean them with white vinegar and baking soda.
Afterwards, if the machine still smells bad, disassemble it (of course following the manufacturer’s instructions exactly) so that you can vacuum the stuck lint and dust.
Use vinegar and a few drops of tea tree essential oil to clean the wash tub and back of the drum.
Keep the following reflexes in mind when washing your machine to keep it smelling great all year round:
Make sure the door of your washing machine is left open after each wash to promote ventilation and prevent mould from growing;
Wipe the door seal after each wash to remove dirt that may have gotten stuck and prevent excess moisture.
What is the best way to get rid of bad odors in laundry?
Once your washing machine smells good, it’s time to get rid of any dampness or mildew that lingers on your laundry! All you have to do is iron your laundry in the washer! This trick also works for laundry you forgot in the machine, and which is starting to smell bad. Simply run your regular program and add some detergent, and you’re done!
If your laundry stinks really bad and/or is stubborn, you can add a third cup of baking soda to your usual detergent. You can also add vinegar and lavender essential oil to the fabric softener compartment to make your laundry smell good. You can be sure that your laundry will smell clean with these good tips!
In order to avoid bad odors on linen, you should also follow these few golden rules:
The laundry should be taken out of the drum as soon as the washing is finished, otherwise you may smell a foul odor in your laundry and in the machine
Make sure the laundry is well ventilated when air-drying, and do not let it remain damp for too long.
Put away your laundry as soon as it is dry, otherwise the bad smells will follow you into your closet!