Is your washing machine getting a lot of use lately? With more time spent at home, you may be in deep with your spring cleaning or simply working towards keeping your home free of germs and allergens. Your washing machine is built to tackle large loads of towels, sheets, throw blankets, and even curtains and pillows. However, washing machines can easily collect dirt, bacteria and even fungus if they are not taken care of.

Disinfecting your washing machine is simple to do! Just run an empty cycle with hot water, put some distilled white vinegar and baking soda in, and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Restart your machine, let the water drain, and wipe it dry when you’re done. We also recommend Affresh Washer Cleaner, which is specifically formulated to break up dirt and residue in your washer (available for contactless pick-up at our office in Urbandale).

Keep the door to your washer open after every cycle to help it dry out and prevent mold. Wipe down the inside of the machine – especially the rubber seal and gasket – to prevent mold and odors.

Here are a few additional tips on how to prolong the life of your washing machine, from the repair and maintenance experts at Westside Appliance Repair.

Contact us if you have any concerns about your washing machine today! At this time, we only service washing machines in Central Iowa (appliance repair services are unavailable in Sioux City at this time).