How to clean your washing machine? Lets do it!
You open you washing machine to take out your fresh clean laundry. Yet the smell that comes out of it is not your favorite wash softener but more like…. Wet dog. What to do? How to get rid of this smell?
Why your washing machine smells
Before we start using all kinds of remedies, let us first answer the question: why does my washing machine smell? It is likely that this has to do with the sustainability & efficiency of your washing machine. Most washing machines use less water these days, this is good because it reduces water waste and is good for the environment! However, the downside is that the washing machine is almost never completely filled with water. This means that remnants of soap, detergent and dirt remain in the washing tumble. That is a place where it congregates and as such creates the smell we all dislike.
What to do when your washing machine smells?
Oke so now you know what the cause is of your washing machine smelling like wet dog. Yet what can be done about it? And how do you prevent washing machines from starting to smell? We offer a few useful tips and tricks to clean your washing machine and to keep it clean longer.
Cleaning your washing machine
In order to clean your washing machine, undertake the following steps:
- Clean and rinse the inside of the rubber door ring thoroughly using hot water and a dishcloth or towel
- Take a quarter of a cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of water and put it in the soap box of the washing machine
- Put two cups of vinegar in the washing tumbler
- Run a standard washing program at a high temperature (°C 90)
With this method you will remove existing remnants and residue of dity and soap. On top f that you will remove any lingering smells from other sources.
How do you prevent your washing machine from smelling?
While it is good to know why your washing machine smells sour and how to remove it, you don’t want this in the first place. There are a few things you can do in order to prevent this. It is important to regular give some attention and love to your washing machine!
Firstly – the aforementioned steps 1-4 for getting rid of smells is something you should do on a regular (monthly basis)
But here are a few more:
- Keep the washing tumbler as dry as possible
In order to do this, remove finished laundry as soon as possible after having the laundry machine finishes running its program. Leave the washing machine door open when you are not using the washing machine. This way the moist air can leave the washing machine.
- Don’t use too much laundry detergent
Beware of how much detergent you use, many people actually use too many, carefull read the package for how much detergent you actually need to use. Using too much detergent can cause remnants of detergent to remain, thus causing the smell.
- Clean the filter and the soap dish.
Both the filter and the soap dish of your washing machine can be cleaned quite easily. You remove them, give them a good rinse in the sink and dry them off a bit before placing them back.
With these useful and easy tips you can make sure your washing machine smells just fine! Don’t have time for it? Not a problem, dobbi is able to pickup, clean and deliver your laundry so you can spend your time elsewhere.
Written by: Martijn Koetsier
dobbi – the most convienient dry cleaner at home.
Wij halen je was- & stoomgoed op, reinigen en leveren het schoon terug binnen 48 uur!
Yes! Your location is within our reach
Download our app now and receive your own laundry or suit bag with your first order
Phone at hand?
Scan & download dobbi
Aww, shucks! We can’t come to your door just yet
Leave your email address and we’ll let you know when dobbi is available for you.
Thank you!
When dobbi comes to your city, you’ll be the first to know.
