A Great Tip Many People Use: Pour a Bowl of Salt into Your Washing Machine — It’ll Be Sparkling Clean Like New Instantly!

Nowadays, washing machines have become an essential household appliance, saving both time and effort. However, with frequent use, if the machine is not cleaned regularly, bacteria and dirt can accumulate, causing not only unpleasant odors and potential health issues but also reducing the machine’s lifespan.

A simple yet highly effective tip that many people swear by is pouring a bowl of salt into the washing machine — no matter how dirty it is, it will come out looking spotless and almost brand new.

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Cleaning Your Washing Machine with Salt

After being used for a long time, washing machines can get extremely dirty. Clothes worn throughout the day carry bacteria and dust, which can stick to the inside of the washer. Over time, these contaminants settle into the crevices of the machine. If not cleaned promptly, even freshly washed clothes can still harbor bacteria.

Here’s what to do:
Dissolve some salt in hot water, then add a small amount of laundry detergent. Stir until bubbles form, then pour the mixture into the washing machine.

Salt has disinfecting and antibacterial properties, making it ideal for cleaning. After adding the solution, fill the machine with water and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Then, turn it on and let it complete a wash cycle. The dirt clinging to the walls of the drum will be flushed out through the drain.

Alternatively, you can use baking soda instead of regular salt. Baking soda is commonly used in cooking, but few people realize that it’s also a powerful natural cleaner for kitchen utensils — and yes, it works great for washing machines too!

To clean the outer surface of your washer, mix baking soda with a little water to form a paste. Dip a damp cloth into the paste and wipe away any stains or grime. Baking soda’s natural disinfecting qualities will help remove bacteria that a regular damp cloth can’t.

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Other Ways to Clean Your Washing Machine

1. Use Hot Water and Bleach
Most modern top- and front-loading washing machines come with a self-cleaning cycle. But if yours doesn’t, select a wash program that allows hot water cleaning.
Add a small amount of bleach to help remove tough stains and grime faster.

⚠️ Important: Do not add clothes during this process — the dirt and residue removed from the machine could stick to your laundry and ruin it.

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2. Use Disinfectant Solutions
Prepare some natural cleaning agents and a clean cloth to wipe the inside of the drum.
Spray a bit of disinfectant inside the machine to eliminate long-accumulated dirt and bacteria around the air vents. For hard-to-reach areas, use a handheld vacuum or suction device to remove hidden dust and debris.

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

Set the machine to a normal wash cycle so the vinegar and baking soda can dissolve completely and reach deep into all corners of the drum, effectively killing mold and removing dirt.
Let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour, then drain all the water.
Once the cycle is complete, use a dry cloth to wipe the inside of the drum — and your washing machine will be perfectly clean and fresh again.