How to Disinfect a Washing Machine

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It may seem strange because it always has soap and bleach swirling around inside it; but if you have an older washing machine, you may want to think about disinfecting it a couple times a year. Parts loosen up and can be havens for bacteria. First you'll need to clean it; then move to the disinfecting. Read on to learn how.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Non-scratching scouring sponge (one that is meant for non-stick surfaces)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup borax
1 quart of hot water
Bleach or vinegar
Baking soda
Heavy old towel, bath mat or blanket (100 percent cotton is best)
Lemon essential oil

How to Clean Your Washing Machine

Step1

Dissolve baking soda and borax with hot water.

Step2

Locate the stuck on detergent inside your washing machine. Don't forget to check the lid, too.

Step3

Gently scrub off all the caked-on soap using sponge and baking soda/borax mixture. Be sure to feel up underneath the the opening. This is an area that is often overlooked.

How to Disinfect Your Washing Machine

Step1

Add 2 cups of bleach or vinegar to the tub of the washing machine. Add 1 cup baking soda.

Step2

Add 1/4 cup of bleach to the fabric softener dispenser (if you have one).

Step3

Add 1 cup of bleach to the bleach dispenser (if you have one).

Step4

Run the machine on the hottest, heaviest cycle.

Step5

After the first cycle finishes, start the same cycle again. Add 40 to 50 drops of lemon essential oil to the tub. Place the heavy old towel, bath mat or blanket in the tub. Run again and use extra rinse cycle.

Tips & Warnings

Instead of using the baking soda/borax mixture, you can substitute about 1/3 cup of bleach instead. Make sure the area is well-ventilated if you choose this option.
The lemon oil is a natural disinfectant.
Using a heavy item in the second cycle helps remove any extra bleach and dirt from the machine. Cotton absorbs the most water and beats the washer walls the hardest.