Cleaning a machine used to clean clothes might sound a little illogical, but it is necessary. This guide walks you through the steps of cleaning your laundry washer properly.
You use your portable washing machine to clean your clothes, but do you remember to wash it? The washing machine needs to be cleaned from time to time. Cleaning ensures that it functions effectively and removes dirt and odors.
Dirt from clothes often accumulates in your portable washing machine. This happens as you wash your clothes. You might not notice the trash until an odor starts developing.
The dirt can also be transferred to the next clothes you wash using the machine. This accumulated dirt can make your washing difficult, thus the need to get rid of it. Adopt good cleaning and maintenance habits of your washing machine to avoid such scenarios.
Cleaning the Interior
You should begin by washing the interior of your machine. This is because you could rest your wet hands on the exterior parts while washing the interior, hence dirtying them. You even start cleaning your car inside out, right? Of course, yes.
Below are the steps you should follow to keep both interior and exterior parts of your machine clean and working.
- Unplug your machine.
- Boil water.
- Make a homemade washing solution. You don’t even have to buy a washing product. You can make a homemade washing solution. It is effortless. First, add one part of white vinegar to one part of hot water. Then, add your regular laundry detergent.
- Clean the holes of the inner washtub of your machine, grooves, and edges of the door using the solution. Typically, dirt accumulates in these areas where mold and algae tend to grow.
- The next step is to rinse your machine using the rinse function of the device. Ensure to have cleaned all the small corners of your device before rinsing.
- Fill your portable washing machine with water.
- Add lemon juice to the machine. It helps to remove any rust and grime.
- Run a complete wash cycle and rinse your portable washing machine.
- Fill the machine with water again and add vinegar with baking powder. Baking powder and vinegar will help get rid of any odor in the washing machine.
- Leave the powder and the vinegar in the machine for 20 minutes, and then run a rinse cycle to dispose dirt off your device.
- In case of any stains inside your machine, add a bleaching agent to your device then run a rinse cycle.
- Finally, rinse your machine using warm water to remove any remaining solvents.
Cleaning the Exterior
Do you remember to clean the outer parts of your portable machine regularly? Well, if you don’t, then you are in the right place. Cleaning the outer parts helps to remove detergent residue and any other dirt which may have fallen off from your clothes.
Here are a few practical steps for keeping the exterior of your portable machine clean:
- After you’re done washing and rinsing the insides of your washer, turn off the inlet faucet feeding the machine. Turning it off will now shut the water supply to your portable washing machine.
- Boil water and add vinegar to form a vinegar solution. Vinegar is recommended because it is a fast germ killer.
- Open the lid of your machine to allow free air circulation inside. This step helps the interiors to dry.
- Wipe away any residue and stains on the outside using a cloth soaked in the vinegar solution. You can add a bit of washing detergent for effective removal of stains.
- Lastly, clean all the pipe connections and corners of your portable washing machine then leave it to dry.
Cleaning of the Lint Filter
Your portable washing machine has a lint filter that collects lint during the washing process. Take it out and run clean water on it after every ten cycles. Rinse and return it to the washer.
Note: lint filters are usually located at the bottom. Don’t know where yours is? Consult your user manual.
How to Drain and Store Your Portable Washing Machine
A washing machine will still retain some water after rinsing. How do you drain this water off for storage? You need to drain excess water from the device before storing it. If your washer is moved during winter, you have to winterize it using an anti-freeze properly. Doing this is the key to have your appliance ready for work anytime you need it.
Draining your washer is very simple. All you have to do is this:
- Tilt the hoses upside down for the water to drip.
- Let the water in the pump flow out by tilting the front of the washer to the ground.
How to Winterize Your Portable Washing Machine?
Winterizing is very crucial to your portable washing machine because it protects freezing within the hoses of your device. Freezing affects the functioning of your portable washing machine. Pour a spoon of an anti-freeze then run a complete wash cycle.
Doing this will help your machine endure the moist winter conditions.
Remember to run a full cycle before using the machine again. You can also use clove oil to kill molds in your portable washing machine. Ensure your windows and doors are open because clove oil is very pungent.
Where to get clove oil? You can obtain it from a chemist or a food store.
How Often Does Your Portable Washing Machine Need to Be Cleaned?
It is vital to wash your portable washing machine like any other machine. How often? Broadly, I will say regularly. It depends on how frequently you’re using the device.
In average, you should clean your washer at least once every two weeks. Cleaning regularly will prevent molds and odors from accumulating inside.
Storage of Your Portable Washing Machine
You should take note of ventilation when storing your portable washing machine. Allow any moisture in the device to dry by slightly opening the door. If you store your machine by covering it, use a material that allows air inside the portable washing machine.
Always store your machine in a cool and dry place.
Final Thoughts
Always remember to dry your machine during summer, or else its electronics will not function well. Drying will also prevent your machine and clothes from getting that awful smell.
Cleaning and taking care of your portable washing machine doesn’t just extend its life. It also makes the washer more efficient, so that it washes your clothes even better. I hope this article has come in handy.