The benefits of running a sponge through the washing machine

Have you ever thought about applying a sponge in the tray of your washing machine? The answer is probably no, but it may come as a surprise that doing this can actually help you get your appliance thoroughly clean, resulting in cleaner loads of laundry.

The washing machine by default is at constant risk of the buildup of moisture and mold. After a load of laundry, there is inevitably going to be leftover water inside the appliance that is contaminated with germs and dirt. Luckily, there are some eco-friendly ways to remedy this problem.

Cleaning Inside the Tray

To begin, we have to give credit to the excellent disinfecting properties of white wine vinegar. It acts as a powerful disinfectant, detergent, and stain remover while posing no threat to the environment or your health. So how can vinegar be applied to the washing machine? It’s easy, just mix some vinegar with a little hot water and add the mixture into the washing machine tray. This will easily clear out any mold that the solution comes into contact with.

After you have let the vinegar do its work, it is time to grab our sponge. Now all you have to do is give the area rub down to remove the remaining broken-down dirt.

The same method can also be used with lemon juice, as its high acidity makes it a valuable partner in the cleaning process. Again, you will want to mix about half a glass of lemon juice with hot water. Next, get your sponge and soak it in the mixture. Apply the sponge to the surface inside of the tray, then wait a few minutes. During this time, the solution has time to react with the mold and fully break it down. Now all you have to do is dry off the tray.

If you have noticed the presence of limescale inside your washing machine, then citric acid is going to be the ideal solution. It works very effectively against stubborn deposits. Begin by adding 150 grams of citric acid to a liter of water. Soak your sponge and apply it to the affected areas. Wait a few minutes, and you will then notice that the limescale has disappeared.