Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Cleaning Your Washing Machine - A MUST DO!

Cleaning Your Washing Machine - A MUST DO FOR ALL!


I thought it was crazy when I read on Pinterest that people were cleaning their washing machines.  That's the appliance that's supposed to clean your clothes right?  Why would it be dirty?  Oh boy, was I wrong!

Here are the before and after photos of my washing machine.



Gross - right?  The blue gunk in the bottom left-hand phot is fabric softner.  I'm done using that stuff!!


Here is what I did:


1.  Fill the washer with HOT water. Add 1 quart of chlorine bleach - no detergent – and let the machine agitate for a minute, then let it sit for one hour.

2.  After one hour, allow the washer to run through its longest wash and spin cycle.

3.  Immediately fill the washer with HOT water again and add 1 quart distilled white vinegar. Let agitate for a minute, and again, let it sit for one hour.

4.  While it is soaking, dip a scrubber sponge in the vinegar water and detail all the nooks and crannies of your washer, including the knobs, the lid and the exterior.

5.  After one hour, allow the washer to run through its longest wash and spin cycle, again. 

6.  I made sure to do the first load with the clean washer as a load of towels.  I just wanted to make sure that no clothing was ruined! 


Thanks to this
blog for all the instructions!

DIY Laundry Detergent

DIY Laundry Detergent


1 - 4lb 12oz Box of Borax
1 - 3lb 7oz Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 - 3lb - Container of OxyClean
2 - 14.1oz - Bars of Zote (pink)
1 - 4lb - Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (or two 2lb boxes)
1 or 2 - 55oz - Bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric Softners (I used two)


1.  Grate Zote soap with a metal cheese grater (Worst part if you ask me!)

2.  Mix all ingredients in a large bucket (I used a 5gallon bucket)

3. Use 2-4 tbsp per laundry load (I use 2tbsp for a normal load and 4tbsp for my husband's dirty work clothes)


I got my recipe from here.  Thanks ladies!