If you want your washing machine to continue working like clockwork, don’t neglect its maintenance! Just because it comes into contact with water a lot doesn’t mean you can skip cleaning the detergent drawer. Rather, this is where scale and mold settle easily and quickly. Fortunately, there is a simple and natural solution to get rid of it effectively.

Clean washing machine drawer with white vinegar – Source: spm
Cleaning the detergent drawer of the washing machine is not difficult, but you have to be careful and do it with precision.
- Unplug the washing machine.
- Pull out the drawer, slide your hand under it and gently press down on the plastic mechanism. The action will extract it completely.
- Prepare a solution of water, soap, dishwashing liquid, and vinegar in a bowl, then submerge the drawer in it.
- Clean the area where the drawer is located with a damp sponge or cloth. Take care to remove dirt and mold. You can help yourself with a toothbrush.
- Then, wipe the dirt out of the drawer with a rag. After soaking it should come off easily.
- Finally, rinse the garment under running water, dry it, and put it back in the washing machine.
Your washer may be doing a great job of cleaning, but there’s still a buildup of dirt, mold, detergent residue, and mineral deposits from hard water. This can turn clothes dull and gray or leave white streaks on dark clothes. Therefore, it is important that you thoroughly clean your washing machine:
Also read: What are the differences between powder detergent and liquid detergent? What is best for your washing machine?
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How to clean an empty washing machine with white vinegar?
Cleaning a washing machine with white vinegar is a relatively simple process with just a few key steps:
- Put the cloths that you usually use for cleaning in the drum of the washing machine. Thanks to this, one shot, two shots, will be disinfected at the same time.
- Pour half a cup of white vinegar into the washing machine. Acid can also sanitize your liquid dispenser, so it’s worth pouring a small amount into it as well.
- Set the program at 60-90 degrees and start washing.
- At the end of the cycle, leave the door ajar and wait for the white vinegar smell to clear from the washer.
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How to clean the drum of the washing machine with white vinegar and baking soda?
You can also combine baking soda with white vinegar for the best washing machine deep clean:
- Start by adding two cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser.
- Set your washer to run a high heat cycle (90° to 120°), making sure the drum is completely empty
- Let the washer run for a minute or two, then add 1/2 cup of baking soda before letting the machine run again.
- After about one minute and the water has begun to fill the drum, stop the cycle and let the water sit in the washer for 30 minutes, before restarting the cycle and finishing the wash.
- Run another high heat cycle to thoroughly rinse the machine.

Washing machine gasket cleaning – Source: spm
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How to clean the rubber gaskets of the washing machine?
Like the detergent drawer, these seals can often become clogged and become a haven for dirt, mildew, detergent residue, and your coin or hairpin.
Begin by cleaning the area with warm water and detergent, paying particular attention to the inside of the rubber seals and around the edges. Then simply wipe with a clean, dry cloth and make sure there is no residue before your next wash.
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How to clean the washing machine filter?
Most washing machines have a filter to catch lint, coins, hair clips, or whatever lurks in the forgotten depths of your pockets. It is usually located at the front of the washer behind a small hatch.
By keeping your filter clog-free, you can prevent water buildup, which is often the cause of leaks and water damage to both your washing machine and kitchen floors.
To clean the filter, simply unscrew its cap and remove anything clogging it. You can also submerge the filter in hot water if you find it difficult to remove the clog.
Cleaning the washing machine with soda crystals
Sodium carbonate is a naturally occurring compound that has been used traditionally to clean the entire home for over a century.
Soda crystals can be used to soften water and loosen dirt and grease. They are also free of enzymes and phosphates, making them perfect for people with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Also read: Any washing machine can dry clothes. Many people are still unaware of this feature.
Here’s how to use them effectively in your washing machine:
- Put 500 g of soda crystals in the empty canister.
- Run a hot cycle with additional options if possible. This will remove dirt, grime, and bacteria.
- If this is your first time cleaning with soda crystals, you may need to repeat steps 2 and 3 several times before you get the desired result.
Tip: Soda crystals are not only used to clean your machine, but can also keep it running smoothly with regular use during your usual cycle. Simply add a few crystals (about 25g for medium water, 50g for hard water or 100g for very hard water) to your regular detergent directly in the washing machine drawer or during the wash to disperse evenly.
Also read: A simple setting of the washer removes bad odors from the towels. It also kills bacteria.