Even your washing machine needs washing

It’s necessary to clean all your appliances at least once a year, even those that use water to clean other things.  

Your washing machine deals with the dirtiest of laundry: diapers, grass-stained denim, food stains and worse.  

Your clothes emerge spotless, but they leave some of that gunk behind. Laundry detergents can build up in the tub, pump and hoses. That build-up can make your washing machine less efficient and can harm your clothes.  

Here’s how to clean it out:  

• Fill your empty washing machine tub with hot water. Pour in three cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. Run the washing machine through a complete cycle.
• Remove the fabric softener receptacle and bleach dispenser and soak them in hot, soapy water. Nudge stubborn dirt and stains with a cotton swab.
• Sponge off the agitator and all the of tub’s surfaces.
• Use vinegar and a washcloth to wipe down the machine’s exterior surfaces.
• Check your washer’s hoses for weak spots or leaks. You may need to replace your hoses every five years or so.