By Ivana Dragica |
How to deodorize your washing machine using natural ingredients |
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The thought of doing laundry generally makes you think of cleanliness, but cleanliness is often actually not what you get.
Many of us have come across a disagreeable odor in our laundry even if we just took it out of the machine.
People describe the worst of those odors as “the smell of a wet dog,” and it lasts after a number of washes at different temperatures and is almost impossible to get rid of.
There are many causes of bad odors. Causes include leftover dirt in the rubber, leaving laundry in the machine too long, or bacteria and fungi.
Sometimes the cause behind foul odors can be an unsuccessful combination of laundry detergent and fabric softener.
Fungus can feed on leftover foam from detergents, particularly if you tend to load up on the laundry detergent when doing the washing.
At first you might think the only way to fix this is with “heavy” chemicals, but that’s not true.
Ordinary household products will be of great use to you.
If you use commercial detergents, be sure to consider switching to eco-friendly detergents which, aside from preventing bad odors, also clean both your washing machine and laundry – and they don’t pollute the environment.
Find a recipe for eco-friendly detergents here.
What to do to get rid of bad odors in your laundry
Funguses like dark and moist places, and the washing machine is one such place.
There are numerous methods which you can use to clean your washing machine of unwanted deposits and impurities while also having clean laundry.
You should therefore use one of these proven recipes starting today.
White vinegar – a real salvation for your washing machine
White vinegar is a proven and natural way to eliminate all causes of bad odors and to keep your washing machine clean.
By adding white vinegar before every wash you will save yourself a lot of grief and also get rid of bad odors in your freshly washed clothes.
It kills bacteria, softens water, and successfully removes stubborn deposits, even stains in your clothing.
If you want to avoid the smell of vinegar, you can add some ten drops of essential oil so that your laundry will come out smelling beautiful.
A combination with essential oil is an excellent replacement for fabric softener.
Commercial fabric softeners, if used excessively, slow down the drying process for laundry, which is why it is more likely to take on a bad odor.
You would therefore be well advised to create your own fabric softener using vinegar and essential oils. You will never go back to your old ways again.
Monthly cleaning of your laundry machine
Pour a cup of vinegar into the slot where the fabric softener goes and add a cup of baking soda directly into the drum of your washing machine.
Let the washer run on the shortest program at the highest available temperature (95°C), and turn on an additional rinse.
What to do if your laundry stays in the machine too long
Many people are faced with this problem, but there is a solution to this as well.
To rid your clothing of bad odors, add a cup of vinegar or baking powder into the drum, add laundry detergent in its slot as usual, and turn on the machine.
When the detergent in the drum starts to foam up, turn off the machine and let it sit overnight.
In the morning, turn it back on again, allowing it to wash the laundry one more time with a normal program.
After the washing is done, dry the clothing well, if possible outdoors.
Removing impurities with borax
Borax is a natural cleaning product which destroys fungus, be it on clothing or in your washing machine.
You can use it to make your own laundry detergent or you can add it to an existing detergent.
Before washing, dissolve half a cup of borax in hot water. Add it to the slot for laundry detergent and wash your clothes as you normally would.
Known for its anti-fungal properties, Borax will also disinfect your clothes.
Water temperature is important as well
Using cold water when washing clothes is okay, but it is very important to preventively maintain your washer if you do so.
If you often use lower temperatures or actual cold water to do your laundry, it is necessary to clean your laundry machine thoroughly a few times a year because of the collection of the remains of detergents, grease, food and other dirt.
Just rinsing the machine with hot water will take care of those problems.
Maintain your laundry machine and keep it clean and fresh:
- Deodorize it with vinegar once a month.
- Always keep the door on your washing machine open after use; that will prevent the appearance of bacteria and mold.
- Wipe down the remains of soap and fabric softener at least every 2 weeks.
- Use the right detergent for your machine.
- Don’t use more detergent or fabric softener than is necessary (lately, most have been available in concentrated form; be sure to use no more than the recommended amount).
- Always wash your laundry at the right temperature.
- Don’t overload your washer with laundry.
Sources used in this article include:
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[url=http://wholelifestylenutrition.com]http://wholelifestylenutrition.com[/url]
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