So I came across "How to Clean Your Washing Machine" on the internets last week and thought, "hmm, I wonder if my washing machine is dirty?"
Grody, gross, gross GROSS!!!!
So I quickly checked out the directions and got busy.
It's an easy 2-step process.
1. Set the washer on a medium size HOT load. Add 2 cups vinegar. The original directions said to let it sit for an hour for each step, but since this was an intervention a spur of the moment cleansing, I didn't have time for that. While the washer was steamy from the hot water, I used a towel to wipe the upper edges and lid.
2. Run a second medium size HOT load. Add 2 cups bleach. I ran one more "rinse" cycle to be sure the bleach was gone.
That's it! Here's the result:
Yes, there are still some stains around the base of the agitator, but we have hard/well water so there's not much I can do about that. Besides, I have a few more "stains" on my own body than I did 13 years ago. ;)
I'm linking up with:
12 comments:
What a great difference! And I like the analogy to your heart. Honestly, my heart needs vinegar and bleach an awful lot.
By the way, DO take care of that washer. I got a fancy new machine a couple of years ago, and I so wish I'd kept my old dependable Maytag. It used more water, but it got clothes SO MUCH cleaner. Now I don't use much water, but I have clothes that don't get clean and grey whites. Ugh.
you have GOT to be kidding!
that is a miracle!!!
girl, you know i am on this like white on rice!!!!
THANK you for these tips! My washing machine has looked like that for quite some time, but I never thought about it long enough to actually do something about it. I am very excited about cleaning it now!
LOVE this tip...but do you by chance remember if it said if this works for front loaders or just top loaders? We have a front loader and it doesn't smell too hot so I'm sure it needs a good clean too!
Hello, I'm Meredith, your OCD friend who actually cleans her washing machine regularly. (I have a serious problem.) One tip that I read years ago is to keep one of those cheapie foam paintbrushes in your laundry room and use it to clean around the lid to your washer. I don't suppose that would work with a front-loader but I have the old-fashioned kind with the lid on the top. Every week or so, I'll dampen the brush and wipe around/under the washing machine lid to keep it dust/lint free and sparkling.
I did this to my dishwasher a couple of days ago, but I only did it with the vinegar (how much did I use? Oh I just opened the big jug & poured some in....). It looks better, but I think next I'll try the bleach since we have the same hard well water & there are still some yellow stains. With the front loading washers the are instructions about how to clean it on a regular basis, but unless I put it on the calendar I don't remember how long it's been. I do wipe inside the rubber flap on the front with a bleach rag frequently & take the soap dispenser out & soak it in bleach water & scrub it fairly often because it easily gets moldy. Not sure the clothes are getting as clean with less water
either ....
WOWSA! it sparkles!
and i'm with richella -- got a fancy new bose front-loader a few yrs ago, & also SO wish i'd kept our old top-loader. we got rid of it b/c we thought it was leaving marks on our clothes -- & it turned out to be the well water (sniff, sniff). so if you ever get an urge for a front-loader, let's talk! i know i'm going against the entire crowd by disliking front-loaders, but you know rebel me -- that's just the kinda girl i am! (*snicker*) ;)
(and btw, good for you on the link ups! i've found them to be great avenues for exposure, as well as great opps to discover other fantastic bloggers!)
What a great post! I am now afraid to look in my washing machine, but I love the thought of it being clean. ;)
(that moment of discovery about the origin of the marks on our clothes should have read "sinking stomach of regret," not "sniff, sniff" -- you know, kinda like a high school kid who realizes that they just broke up with "the love of their life!!" LOL) ;)
did you ever imagine your post on your dirty washing machine would gather so many comments?? :) i posted on facebook one time, about my dryer breaking, and i think i had upwards of thirty comments. yet, when i post about things God is teaching me or something i am SURE others will learn from and be all over my comments- i get one or two. what is UP with washer and dryer obsession? :)
you know how you said you could totally use your washer as an analogy of your heart and sin? i often equate my heart and sin to closets. hidden spaces. places no one else looks. how i'll purge them and get them gorgeous, and slowly, almost without my noticing, clutter builds... wash cloths are thrown into a messy pile... folded clothes get jerked from their neat piles as i'm in a hurry and want to wear the shirt on the bottom of the stack, and don't have time to fix the seven shirts that just fell over into a heap that were on top of it. blankets get balled up and thrown into a closet, shoes get dropped in instead of lined up.... there are times i would rather die (almost) than let someone go into my closets or cabinets, pantry or cupboards. yet the rest of my house can be sparkling. all of the "outside" appearance looks wonderful, but if only people saw what was lurking behind those wiped down cabinets... stuffed into that closet. i feel that way about my heart so often! i have this outward appearance of being showered, make up on, sometimes a cute outfit, cute shoes, my kids cute outfits and perfect hair with a bow... but if people only heard the things i say to them, the things i mouth off to my husband, etc. there are so many hidden things behind a smile that i would just die if someone saw or heard.
sorry for the long comment, just couldn't help sharing as you brought up the washer analogy :)
Excellent information that every home can relate to! Welcome and thanks so much for sharing it at the Rock N Share! Hope to see you there again!
I'm just glad to know I am not the only one with issues of a dirty washing machine. Great thoughts on the analogy with the heart, too. Now I need to go clean my washing machine....
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