Your washing machine could use a clean. It accumulates bits of food, fibers, and other organic materials; the wet, warm environment is a perfect breeding ground for mildew and mold; and detergents and hard water can build up. Here's how to naturally clean a front-load washing machine.
1. Materials
– white vinegar – baking soda – hydrogen peroxide (optional; use if you have mold) – rag – toothbrush
1. Wipe down the door, nooks, and crannies with vinegar.
2. Scrub the rubber gasket around the door with an old toothbrush.
3. Tackle the inside.
Fill the liquid detergent dispenser with 1 or 2 cups of vinegar, which will help break down any buildup and disinfect, too.
4. Run through a cycle.
Set your machine on the sanitize or hottest cycle, full-load setting, and run–without any clothes in it.
5. Optional: Run through again with 1/3 cup baking soda.
Add to the drum and run on hot again; just be sure not to mix baking soda and vinegar in the same cycle as they will neutralize each other.
6. Done!
Check the interior of the machine and wipe away any particles.