Cleaning & HouseholdLife Style
When you think of your washing machine, you think of an appliance used to clean your clothes and laundry. And while washing machines are indeed used for this purpose, they can also become extremely dirty over time. Because washing machines are constantly hot and humid, they are an ideal breeding ground for mold and other bacteria. And these are certainly not things you want to come into contact with.
Prolonged exposure to mold can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation and allergies. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to remove mold from your washing machine and ensure that it stays away. First, you need to familiarize yourself with the gasket, the rubber seal located at the opening of your washing machine to prevent water leaks.
Grab the edge of the gasket with your hands to get under it. Use a solution of warm water and dishwashing liquid to clean the gasket before wiping it clean. You should clean the gasket using this method every week or so to prevent mold growth. If you notice that there appears to be a lot of mold under the gasket, use a cloth and bleach to clean the gasket before running your washing machine on an empty hot water cycle.
To keep your washing machine drum free of mold and bacteria, pour a cup of distilled vinegar into the machine and run it on an empty hot water cycle. The vinegar will naturally clean, disinfect and deodorize your machine. You should apply this method at least once a month to ensure that your clothes, laundry and family are safe from harmful bacteria.