Just last week, I ran out of Vinegar in my house – and everything came to a halt. We use it to clean everything from floors to our frying pans (bet you didn’t know that did you?!) Picked some up just two days ago on my trip into Fry’s, though it wasn’t on sale so I got the smallest one.
Every month, I clean my washing machine – usually try to do it at some point the last week of each month. Today is the day for that job – in fact, vinegar is “sitting” in there right now.
I’m guessing most people would run out and buy Tide Washing Machine cleaner — which I have used once (it was free on Facebook early last year) but I see no point in purchasing something so pricey when Vinegar & Tea Tree Oil work just as well.
Cleaning your washer with Vinegar is the easiest thing you could every do, & believe it or not, your washing machine NEEDS to be cleaned. The dirt that is washed out of your clothes (and in my case, cloth diapers) will produce bacteria in the machine, even with a stainless steel drum – bacteria can accumulate in the hoses also, which also need to be taken off and cleaned regularly too. Cleaning your washer will lengthen the life of your machine… and save you money down the road.
Believe it or not, cleaning does not require you spend oodles of money on expensive name-brand products – it’s as easy as grabbing a few cups of Vinegar from your pantry:
- Pour 2 C. Vinegar into the machine, add a drop or two of Tea Tree Oil as well (if you have some)
- Run it for 3 minutes on hot
- Then stop the machine – however you do that – I have to push the button in.
- Let it sit over night
- The next morning, pull out the knob, let it finish, and then run a rinse cycle on cold
By doing it at the same time every month, you will remember a little easier. End of month in our house reminds us to check the smoke detectors, clean the washer, and usually the burner pans on the stove as well. And other oddities around the house.
Tea Tree Oil is not required to clean your washer, I just use it because I have it. Those of you who aren’t familiar with Tea Tree Oil can head HERE to read more – I think I have about 5 bottles of various oils right now that I use around the house to do everything from scent laundry detergent to make air mist.
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