Do you mistakenly believe that your washing machine must be clean because you add detergent to it almost every day?

In fact, it's quite the opposite: dirt and dust accumulate little by little in unseen areas, providing a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

And these molds and bacteria can then transfer to your clothes, which are supposed to become clean during washing.

For these reasons, your washing machine should be cleaned regularly.

However, a washing machine cannot be disassembled and scrubbed thoroughly.

So, how exactly should you clean it? In this article, we'll introduce some washing machine cleaning methods.

 Check if your washing machine cleaner is chlorine-based or oxygen-based!

Since washing machines cannot be disassembled, you have to rely on "washing machine tub cleaners." The type of cleaner you can use may be limited depending on your washing machine, so first check your washing machine's instruction manual.

Usable washing machine tub cleaners are generally either "chlorine-based detergent" or "oxygen-based detergent."

Chlorine-based detergents have powerful cleaning and strong sterilizing properties, but they can damage internal parts of the washing tub, and mixing them with other detergents can produce toxic gas, so they require careful handling.

On the other hand, oxygen-based detergents have lower cleaning power compared to chlorine-based detergents and a milder characteristic scent.

If specified in the manual, use the recommended cleaner. If either is acceptable, you can choose based on the degree of dirt in the tub or your personal preference.

Also, check the washing machine tub cleaner's packaging to see if it can be used with top-loading or front-loading (drum-type) machines before purchasing.

The best time to clean the washing tub is right after doing laundry!

Be sure to read the washing machine's manual and the cleaner's instructions carefully and follow them for cleaning.

The general process involves removing parts like the detergent/softener dispenser and lint trap, then simply adding the washing machine tub cleaner.

For chlorine-based cleaners, add the appropriate amount and let the machine's cleaning mode do the rest. For oxygen-based cleaners, add the appropriate amount along with water around 40 degrees Celsius and let the cleaning mode do its job.

Both types require several hours to overnight soaking before rinsing, so the ideal time is right after you finish doing laundry, or when you don't need to do laundry and have plenty of time.

While waiting for the washing tub to finish cleaning, you can wash the removed parts with a neutral detergent and a brush, and clean the washing machine pan (the area where the washing machine sits) and the exterior of the washing machine.

The recommended cleaning frequency for your washing machine is about once a month!

As mentioned above, cleaning the washing tub is simple: all you need is a washing machine tub cleaner, and then let the washing machine's cleaning mode handle the rest.

Since the back of the washing tub isn't visible, it's easy to neglect cleaning, which can lead to clothes smelling musty from mold. To prevent this, aim to clean it about once a month.

It might be a good idea to set a specific day each month for cleaning, perhaps when you replace your toothbrush.

While this takes care of mold and soap scum inside the washing tub, tackling mold and soap scum in the bathroom can be quite challenging...

For such stubborn dirt or hard-to-reach areas, it might be a good idea to leave the cleaning to professionals.

▶ If you're doing it yourself, try this | Kuuki no Ousama | Saikyokun