A useful tip that many people apply is to pour a bowl of salt inside the washing machine; no matter how dirty the washing machine is, it will be instantly cleaned as if it's brand new.

Nowadays, washing machines are an essential household appliance that helps people save time and effort. However, if the washing machine is not cleaned regularly, it will accumulate many bacteria and dirt, which can harm your health and cause the machine to malfunction. A good tip that many people apply is to pour a bowl of salt inside; no matter how dirty the washing machine is, it will be instantly cleaned as if it’s brand new.

Cleaning the Washing Machine with Salt

After using the washing machine for a long period, it can get very dirty, because clothes worn throughout the day can carry bacteria and dust. These bacteria and dirt accumulate in the corners of the washing machine. If the machine is not cleaned on time, even clean clothes will still carry a lot of bacteria.

Dissolve the salt in hot water, then add a little laundry detergent and stir until the foam rises. Then pour the mixture into the washing machine.

Did you know that salt has antibacterial properties and is very effective for cleaning washing machines? First, dissolve the salt in hot water, then add a little detergent and stir until foam forms, then pour it into the washing machine.

Next, pour enough water into the machine and let it soak for about half an hour, then turn on the washing machine to clean it thoroughly. The dirt sticking to the machine’s walls will wash away with the water through the drainage system.

You can also substitute table salt with baking soda. This substance is commonly used in food preparation, but many people don’t know that baking soda can also be used as a cleaner for kitchenware and can even clean the washing machine.

To clean stains on the surface of the washing machine, you can mix baking soda with a little water to create a slightly thick paste, then dip a damp cloth into the mixture and wipe off the stains. Since baking soda has natural disinfectant properties, it will eliminate any bacteria sticking to the surface. If you just wipe with a regular damp cloth, it won’t be able to clean the machine properly.

Other Ways to Clean a Washing Machine

• Using Hot Water and Bleach

Most new front-load and top-load washing machines have a self-cleaning program. However, if your washing machine doesn’t have this feature, choose a washing program with a water heating setting to clean the machine.

Add a little bleach to the washing machine to remove stains more quickly. Note that you should not put clothes in the machine while it is cleaning, as the dirt inside the washing machine may stick to your clothes.

• Using Disinfectant

Add a little bleach to the washing machine to remove stains more quickly.

Prepare natural cleaning agents and a clean cloth to clean the interior of the washing machine. Take the cloth and wipe the inside of the machine thoroughly.

Next, spray some disinfectant inside the washing machine to remove long-standing dirt stuck to the air vents. Clean the areas where dirt has accumulated and that you can reach.

Use a handheld vacuum or a standing vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean the vents and any compartments inside where dirt might be stuck.

• Using White Vinegar and Baking Soda

For top-load washing machines, pour hot water into the drum and add 3-4 cups of white vinegar, and half a cup of baking soda. For front-load washing machines, pour the vinegar and baking soda into the drum before starting the washing cycle.

Set the washing machine to the cleaning cycle so that the vinegar and baking soda are completely dissolved, allowing them to penetrate deep into the drum, helping to remove any mold still stuck inside the machine. Let the machine soak for about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the acids and cleaning agents to thoroughly clean the machine. Afterward, let the machine rinse all the water. Once the cycle is complete, use a clean cloth to absorb any remaining water in the drum, completing the cleaning process.