When carrying out household chores, laundry is one of the most necessary. Thanks to this, we can not only prevent clutter at home, but also help ensure that our clothes are always clean, fresh and smelling good.
There are families who use washing machines daily and other people who manage by doing a weekly laundry, but in any case it is something that cannot be escaped. And using the washing machine regularly also requires frequent cleaning, which allows you to remove all the accumulation of dirt and remains of detergent or lint that are stored inside the washing machine during the washing cycles. Cleaning our appliance regularly is essential so that the clothes always come out clean.
One of the parts of the washing machine that accumulates the most dirt is the door rubber, a favorable place for the formation of bacteria and mold due to the accumulation of moisture that occurs between its folds. In this way, it is important to carry out regular maintenance that not only allows the clothes to come out as clean as possible, but also prolongs the useful life of this component for a longer period of time.
To do this, it is important to know the existing tricks and methods that will allow you to clean the rubber of the washing machine when it turns black. We tell you everything here:
What is needed to clean the rubber of the washing machine
It is possible that the rubber of the washing machine turns black for various reasons, such as the constant humidity of the appliance, the accumulation of residues such as soap or fabric softener, or the lack of ventilation. Therefore, cleaning it on time can help optimize washing and prevent clothes from coming out dirty after a cleaning cycle.
To clean the rubber of the washing machine, the following materials will be necessary:
- White cleaning vinegar -or bleach in some cases-.
- Baking soda.
- Hot water.
- Microfiber cloth.
- Soft bristle brush – or old toothbrush.
- Rubber gloves.
How to clean the rubber of the washing machine when it turns black
To begin cleaning the rubber of the washing machine, open the door and check the area to find any parts with mold or residue. Search intensively, opening each fold until you detect all the dirty areas, checking which ones need a deeper cleaning and which ones don’t.
Next, mix equal parts white cleaning vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar is not only a powerful disinfectant, but it also has deodorizing properties that will fight against bad odors present in the appliance.
To begin cleaning, put on rubber gloves and generously spray the solution over the entire surface of the rubber, especially in the areas where you have detected the most mold accumulation. After that, rub the affected part with a soft bristle brush – or an old toothbrush – it is important to go through all the areas, even those that are less damaged.
If the mold is very embedded, spray again and let the mixture sit for a quarter of an hour before starting to rub. If the mixture fails to soften it, it is possible to use bleach in the most dirty areas, since it has a greater descaling and disinfecting power than vinegar. However, be careful not to mix both, as together they could be toxic to your health.
On the other hand, sprinkle baking soda on especially dirty areas or areas that you detected were more difficult to clean during the initial analysis. Apply the product directly to the rubber moistened with white vinegar or bleach and scrub with a toothbrush to create a low-intensity abrasive action.
Afterwards, rinse the entire area with hot water to prevent debris from accumulating, as this is one of the main reasons why mold could reappear on the washing machine tires. To do this, use a microfiber cloth moistened with hot water and remove all the excess. It is especially important to ensure that no traces of the product remain if cleaning with bleach has been carried out.
Thus, it is also possible to program a quick rinse cycle to ensure that all possible product remains that may have fallen into the drum of the appliance are removed.
Finally, let the area dry outdoors, opening a window near the washing machine if possible. In addition, it is advisable to leave the appliance door open whenever it is not running, thus allowing it to air more easily and preventing the formation of bacteria and mold.
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