A Helpful Tip Many People Use: Just Pour a Bowl of Salt Inside, and No Matter How Dirty the Washing Machine Is, It Will Become Spotlessly Clean Like New Immediately

Nowadays, washing machines are an essential appliance in every household, helping people save time and effort. However, if the machine is not cleaned regularly, it will accumulate a large amount of bacteria and dirt, which not only harms your health but also reduces the machine’s lifespan. A simple and effective tip that many people apply is pouring a bowl of salt inside the washing machine — no matter how dirty it is, it will instantly become clean and look like new.

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Cleaning the Washing Machine with Salt

After a long period of use, the inside of the washing machine becomes very dirty because clothes worn throughout the day carry bacteria and dust. These bacteria and dirt remain in the gaps of the machine. If not cleaned in time, your freshly washed clothes will still be contaminated with bacteria.

Dissolve salt in hot water, then add a small amount of detergent, stir well until it foams, and pour the mixture into the washing machine.

Did you know that salt has disinfecting and antibacterial properties, making it perfect for cleaning washing machines? First, dissolve salt in hot water, then add a small amount of detergent, stir until foamy, and pour it into the machine.

Next, fill the machine with water and let it soak for about half an hour, then turn it on to run a wash cycle. The dirt stuck on the drum walls will be flushed out through the drain.

Alternatively, you can replace table salt with baking soda. Baking soda is commonly used in cooking, but few people know that it is also a powerful cleaning agent suitable for kitchen utensils and washing machines.

To clean stains on the surface of the machine, mix baking soda with a little water to form a paste. Dip a damp cloth into the mixture and wipe the dirty areas. Baking soda contains natural disinfecting agents, which help eliminate bacteria effectively — much more than wiping with plain water.

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Other Ways to Clean Your Washing Machine

+ Using Hot Water and Bleach

Most modern front-load and top-load washing machines have a self-cleaning mode. If your machine does not have this feature, choose a cycle that heats the water to clean the drum.

Add a small amount of bleach to the washing machine to remove stains more effectively. Note: do not put clothes in until the cleaning cycle is completely finished to avoid staining and damaging garments.

+ Using Disinfectant

Prepare natural cleaning agents and a clean cloth to wipe the drum dry. Then, spray a disinfectant inside the drum to remove dust and bacteria built up over time. Any reachable areas should be thoroughly cleaned.

Use a handheld vacuum or vacuum sealer to completely clean the vents and internal compartments where dust accumulates.

+ Using White Vinegar and Baking Soda

For top-loading machines, fill the drum with hot water and add 3–4 cups of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda. For front-loading machines, pour the vinegar and baking soda directly into the drum before starting the wash cycle.

Set the machine to wash so that the vinegar and baking soda completely dissolve and penetrate deep into all corners of the drum, helping remove any remaining mold and residue. Let the mixture soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour so the acidic and alkaline agents can break down the buildup. Then let the machine drain completely. When the cycle is finished, use a clean dry cloth to wipe the drum — and the cleaning process is complete.