As mankind is progressing toward a greener world, people have been in search for more-environment-friendly and healthier alternatives that can replace industrial conveniences, among which are commercial toilet cleaners themselves. Some natural household products have been discovered to have excellent cleansing properties; and the great news is, they work well for toilets too! These natural toilet bowl cleaners are vinegar, baking soda, Coke, and ammonia; all of which could easily be found in your kitchen pantry, or bathroom cabinet.

What is the best cleaner for toilets?

A good toilet cleaner is expected to remove stains, slimes, and dirt from your urinals, toilet bowls, and bathroom tiles, and also disinfect them. So the best toilet cleaner is, obviously, something that does these tasks the most effectively and, beyond that, satisfies our other needs. And when searching for great natural cleaners, we are searching for natural ingredients that can perform these tasks as effectively as a commercial cleaner does. This is definitely a high bar to cross, given how potent bleach is as a biocide.

Clean toilet bowls naturally

Fortunately enough, cleaning toilet bowls naturally might not be a pipe dream at all. Under most circumstances, natural toilet bowl cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, etc. can perform the said tasks just as well as any commercial toilet cleaners. while also bringing some extra benefits like not having a bleachy smell, deodorizing your toilet, unclogging your toilet, or not eating away your skin or your lung, etc.

Through different mechanisms, these natural cleaners, while not literally burning away the bacteria the way bleach does, do create an environment too alkalic or acidic for bacteria to live, eat away mineral stains with the acidity, or produce the foam to wash away the stains.

In the next session, we will provide the instructions that can help you clean your toilet effectively with natural cleaners. As a note, for any of these methods, if your toilet bowl is particularly stained at the bottom, you may want to drain the water from the toilet bowl so the cleaning agents can contact better with the stains.

Clean toilet bowls with vinegar and baking soda

While both are excellent cleaners on their own, baking soda and vinegar are often used together for cleaning toilet bowls. This is because the explosive, fizzy reaction between these two agents can be utilized to take care of tough stains, as well as to unclog the toilet.

As a note, just like for all other uses, we don’t recommend combining the baking soda and the vinegar together as a cleaner. The reason is that these agents sit on 2 ends of the pH chart and combining them together does neutralize their acidity and alkalinity, which are the sources of power as disinfectants and cleansers in the first place. There are better ways to use vinegar and baking soda to clean toilet bowls.

Clean your toilet bowl with vinegar and baking soda by following these steps:

• Step 1: Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Do so by pouring at the top of the toilet along the rim, so the vinegar would cover and disinfect the entire bowl.
• Step 2: Let it sit overnight (or 8 hours). It will disinfect your toilet bowl as well as break down tough stains.
• Step 3: After the 8-hour wait, sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl and wait for another 15 minutes. The concoction will fizz up and wash down the stains even more.
• Step 4: Scrub the toilet bowl with a toilet bowl brush.
• Step 5: Flush the toilet.

As a note, you can also use vinegar to wash and disinfect other parts of your toilet, such as the toilet’s exterior, the flush handle, and the toilet water tank. For the toilet’s exterior, spray the toilet with the water-vinegar mixture, wait for 15 minutes, and wipe. For the water tank, the job would be slightly more complicated, so we will save that for another article.

Clean toilet bowl with Coke

Coca-cola makes up an excellent natural toilet cleaner thanks to the phosphoric acid it contains. It busts down stains, especially the mineral-induced stains caused by hard water. However, it doesn’t disinfect.

To clean a toilet bowl with Coke, follow these simple steps.

• Step 1: Pour 2 cups of Coca-cola into the toilet bowl
• Step 2: Let it sit overnight (or 8 hours).
• Step 3: Flush the toilet.

Clean toilet bowls with ammonia

The way ammonia works to clean is that of a surfactant; its saponification effects help the stains to get break down easier. While ammonia does kill some types of germs including E. coli, it doesn’t work against bacteria and viruses.

You can clean the toilet bowl with ammonia by making it into an ammonia/baking soda cleaning concoction, following these simple steps:

• Step 1: Pour 1/2  cup of ammonia and 1/2 cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl.
• Step 2: Let it sit for a few minutes.
• Step 3: Scrub the toilet bowl with a brush to clean any buildup.
• Step 4: Flush the toilet.

As a note, you must not combine ammonia with bleach, or a commercial product containing ammonia with one containing bleach, because that would produce toxic fumes.

More toilet cleaning tips using natural toilet cleaners from Sparkling and Beyond

So far, we have gone through a range of natural toilet bowl cleaners, and the guides on how to use them. The good news is that you will see even more of these natural cleaners in our other cleaning tips and guides: As a company that advocates the ecosystem, Sparkling and Beyond do put priority to help you greenify your DIY cleaning by introducing natural cleaning products. So stay tuned for more cleaning tips and guides, and remember to use our cleaning services whenever you feel that professional help is needed.

The washing machine is an equipment that people use frequently, but they usually forget to clean it regularly. The washing machine is the site in direct touch with the dirt people’s clothes, so cleaning the washing machine is extremely necessary. So how to clean the washing machine inside properly? Today, Sparkling and Beyond will share with you easy techniques to clean the inside of your washing machine at home safely and affordably.

Why is it necessary to clean the inside of washing machines? 

The drum is frequently exposed to soiled clothing, germs, and fabric dust. These contaminants will build up within the washing tub over time, obstructing the filter and draining mechanism and causing simple harm to the washing machine.

As a result, if the drum is not cleaned and removed in a timely manner, these residues will fall off and attach to the clothing while the washing machine is running. It not only results in a filthy wash, but it also leaves a musty odour on the garments.

Furthermore, frequent washing machine cleaning has several advantages, including:

• Extend the machine’s life span
• Deodorise, eliminate germs, residue, and dust inside of washing machine
• Aids in the cleaning of garments.
• Improve the efficiency of your machine.
• Prevent degradation and damage to the washing machine.

If you have a dryer at home, follow these suggestions to make your life easier.

How to clean the top-loading washing machine?

Step 1: Clean the outside.

With a moist microfiber towel, clean the outside of the washing machine to remove dust and residue. Water can help you clean the outside of your washing machine but if there are a lot of tough drains, light detergent can be used if necessary

Step 2: Wipe down the drum.

How to clean a dirty washing machine drum? 

When cleaning the drum of a top-load washing machine, you should use a washing machine cleanser. Or else you can replace it with 2 cups of bleach or vinegar.Next, dump the mixture and tub into your washing machine, close the door, and select either the self-cleaning cycle or the regular hot water cycle. Allow the water to drain, along with all of the foul residue, and you’ll have a clean washer. Remember that some contemporary front-loading washing machines offer a self-cleaning cycle that eliminates the need for soap or bleach. So it will be better if you double-check the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 3: Wipe the interior of the door.

Clean the drum as well as the interior of the glass or metal cover when the cleaning cycle is finished. If your washing machine has a detergent drawer, take it out as far as you can and clean with a moist microfiber cloth, eliminating any detergent residue. Clean the fabric softener and bleach dispensers with the same moist cloth; if necessary, remove stubborn stains with an old toothbrush; and you’ve finished the top-loading washing operation.

How to clean the washing machine agitator?

Step 1: Clean the drum, clean inside of washing machine

Empty the drum of the front-load washing machine before cleaning it. After that, take out the detergent tray and clean it, as well as any attachments.

Step 2: Remove any leftovers.

Tilt the cage and glass door with the spacer. Wipe these areas off with a solution made up of 3/4 cup chlorine bleach and a little water. Run the cleaning cycle on your front-loading washing machine right now. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers of washing machines advocate using a specific cleaning agent.

Step 3: Allow to air dry.

Wipe the lid, door, and door glass with a soft cloth or towel when the cleaning cycle is over.

How to clean a dirty washing machine drum using a specific drum detergent?

Bleach, on the other hand, is frequently used to clean washing machines. They have a foul odour and can block the septic system over time. Tub cleaners, on the other hand, can be used as a temporary substitute if you already have them. The steps will guide you how to clean the washing machine inside using a specific drum cleaning powder are as follows:

• Step 1: Remove all of the clothing from the washer.
• Step 2: Start the washing machine’s complete rinse cycle; the hotter the water, the better.
• Step 3: Into the drum of the washing machine, pour the washing machine cleaning powder. Note that you should not pour detergent or softener into the tray.
• Step 4: Use the machine’s washing tub cleaning mode to make the necessary adjustments. If not, a soft spin program can be used to dissolve the washing machine cleaning powder. Stop the machine after around 5 minutes and soak the washing machine detergent for about 2-3 hours.

Finally, you activate the flushing mode. After the rinse water has been removed, open the washing machine door to allow air to flow and assist the machine dry fast.

How to clean a washing machine to remove dirt from the exterior and clean the washing machine smell?

Many people make the mistake of thinking that cleaning a washing machine only entails cleaning the interior and ignoring the outside. But this is not the case; if you use methods to clean the washing machine inside without cleaning the exterior of the machine, dirt will infect and attach to the clothing after they are removed.

So, how to clean the outside of the washing machine and clean the washing machine smell? Simply use a cotton towel or sponge with a little detergent to wipe the outside of the washing machine before cleaning it regularly. A little brush may be used to sweep dirt away from small crevices for a long period.

How to clean the outside of the washing machine and clean the washing machine smell? (Source: Internet)

To clean the outside of the washing machine, Sparkling and Beyond recommends using a dishwashing detergent or a multipurpose kitchen detergent. This is a great surface polishing detergent that really makes the washing machine shine and look brand new.

What is the best way to clean the washing machine inside and replace the drain hose on a washing machine?

Check whether there are any symptoms of obstruction inside the washing machine drain hose while executing this washing machine cleaning technique. If that’s the case, use warm water to clean the insides. You just need to clean the spots on the outside.

Cleaning your washing machine with baking soda is another option. The exhaust is also soaked in the same combination as the baking soda method above. After that, you rinse the filth out of the washing machine with a delicate brush and remove yellow stains.

Sparkling and Beyond suggests changing the drain hose every three years to ensure that your washing machine runs properly. During usage, avoid clogging the tube.

Which cleaning guidelines for the washing machine should be followed?

Any of the methods listed above for cleaning the washing machine at home can be used to achieve great cleaning efficiency. However, it is suggested to minimise the use of washing machine cleaning procedures that utilise too powerful detergents because this might harm some of the machine’s internal parts. The finest alternatives for cleaning the washing machine are vinegar + warm water or baking soda.

You can also hire a mechanic to clean and generally clean the washing machine drum in addition to the ways listed above. This approach will remove the stains completely, but it may be costly for families, therefore it should only be used once or twice a year.

Note when cleaning the washing machine inside, keep this in mind.

In fact, there are several quick and easy ways to clean a washing machine, but you must also consider the following to ensure the machine’s longevity and quality:

• You should clean the inside of washing machines 
• Do not use strong detergents regularly, since this may cause harm to the machine’s internal components. The finest alternatives for cleaning the washing machine are vinegar + warm water or baking soda.

Wait about an hour after cleaning the machine before restarting the usual washing cycle. This will help in the removal of any residue or dirt that has remained after the last cleaning.

After cleaning, open the lid of the washing machine to allow the interior to dry naturally, rather than leaving it wet, which can encourage bacteria and mould growth.

Cleaning Services by Professionals

Check out more deep cleaning suggestions once you’ve finished cleaning your washing machine. Sparkling and Beyond does not clean inside washing machines, but we do provide standard and deep house cleaning services. You can either request an appointment online with us and let our experts do all of that hard work while saving time in return by calling 415-966-1101 or contacting us at sparklingandbeyond.com
Find this useful? Visit our website sparklingandbeyond.com or follow Instagram Sparkling and Beyond for more valuable contents like this coming up!

It is natural to assume that washing machines do not need to be cleaned as they will be cleansed simultaneously while washing clothes. Unfortunately, this is not true. The mold and soap residue will gradually pile up in the drum after each round of washing. Also, without proper cleaning, an unpleasant smell will generate from the washing machine. Therefore, it is important to polish the washer from time to time to clear any mold, dirt and soap scum. Sparkling and Beyond recommends 4 products for washing machine cleaning that can properly clean your washer: vinegar, baking soda, bleach and borax. We will provide simple steps of the usage of these products. You can easily follow the guidance and clean your washer effortlessly.

How can I clean my washing machine naturally? 

Many people prefer natural products for house cleaning due to health and safety issues. We fully understand this concern and therefore, we suggest vinegar and baking soda as they are natural products for washing machine cleaning. We will look into the cleaning methods for front-loading washer and top-loading washer as they are slightly different.

Clean your washing machine with vinegar and baking soda

Front-loading washing machine

1. Prepare the tools you need:
   1. Distilled white vinegar
   2. Baking soda
   3. Toothbrush
   4. Spray
   5. Microfiber cloth

2. Pour the vinegar into the spray and spread the vinegar inside the drum. Then, use the cloth to mop the drum thoroughly. This should remove all the dirt buildup.
3. Wipe the rubber gaskets clean with the cloth. Rubber gaskets are the seals attached to the washer’s door. These seals are the spots that can easily trap all kinds of dirt like mold, grime and hair.
4. Fill the detergent dispenser with 2 cups of vinegar. Run the washer with the longest washing mode and the hottest water.
5. It’s time to use baking soda. Spread half a cup of baking soda into the drum and run the machine again with the same mode in step 4 (the longest with the hottest water).
6. Apply the vinegar onto a cloth and mop both sides of the washer’s door as well as the whole front of the washer until they are all clean.
7. Leave the washer’s door half opened to let the washer dry by itself. In this way, you can avoid the mold pileups. You can also wipe the machine dry with a microfiber cloth.

Top-loading washing machine

1. Firstly, we need to fill the washer with vinegar and water solution. To do this, pour 4 cups of vinegar into the washer and set the washer for running. When the washing machine has been loaded with water and about to start, pause the washer and have the water and vinegar mixture to stay for an hour.
2. While waiting for the vinegar solution, we can clean other parts of the machine. Apply the vinegar on a microfiber cloth and wipe all over the washer, which includes the lid and the side and front of the washer.
3. To clean the detergent and fabric softener dispensers, brush them with a toothbrush will suffice to make them fresh and spotless.
4. When the vinegar solution is done, release the water. After this, pour a cup of baking soda into the drum and set the washer to run in a more stronger mode. 
5. Similar to the front-loading washer, you can open the lid to let the machine air dry or use a microfiber cloth to wipe the machine dry.

What are other good ways to clean a washing machine?

There are many other ways to clean your washer. We will look into the usage of bleach and borax in this section.

Clean your washing machine with bleach

Bleach is a stronger product for the washer cleaning and it can also effectively remove germs inside the machine. 

1. Pour 60 ml of neat bleach into the detergent drawer and set the washer to run in a hot cycle. Remember to run an additional rinse cycle to ensure all the bleach is removed. 
2. If you can still smell the bleach after this, another empty cycle should be run to be more secure.

It should be noted that bleach is highly reactive so it cannot be used with other cleaning products. Otherwise, your washer could be damaged. Also, bleach and hot water can create a large amount of foam so do not use more than the amount we have suggested.

Clean your washing machine with borax

Borax is another good product to clean the washing machine. The method we provide here is for the front-loading washing machine.

Front-loading washing machine

The tools you need are:

• 1 Ib Borax
• 3/4 cup of white vinegar
• Cotton cloth

1. Spread a pound of Borax evenly on the bottom of the drum and make sure not to spill out the Borax.
2. In the compartment where the bleach is usually poured,  put in 3/4 cup of the vinegar.
3. Leave the vinegar for 15 to 20 minutes so that it can remove any grimy spots.
4. Set the washer to run in the longest and hottest cycle.
5. When the cycle is done, use the cotton cloth to wipe clean the whole washer, which includes the drum, the gaskets and the latches.
6. Let the washer’s door be open so that it can dry up by itself.
7. Remember to use vinegar and a cloth to wipe the detergent drawer clean. 

Let us clean the house for you!

We hope these products for washing machine cleaning can help you effectively polish your washer. If you simply don’t have time to clean your house, let us do the job for you! We offer regular standard cleaning service that we will go to your house weekly or monthly to thoroughly tidy up each corner of your house. In this way, your place will remain a good level of tidiness. If you are interested in more cleaning tips and tricks, visit our website for more articles!

Many people might have the wrong impression that washing machines do not need to be cleaned because they will clean themselves while washing clothes. Unfortunately, in reality, the truth is ugly. Washing machines should also be cleaned like other household appliances. Otherwise, there will be bad odor accumulating in the machine and this terrible smell could stay on the washed clothes. In this blog, Sparkling and Beyond will disclose to you how to clean the washing machine properly. Front-load and Top-load are the 2 most common types of washing machines.  This blog will provide individual cleaning methods of both types as they are equally popular.

The cause of unpleasant odor in the washing machine

The smell from washing machines is mainly from the residue that gradually built up with each time of laundry. For top load washers, it is the soap residue pileup that creates the odor. As for the front load washers, the smell comes from accumulated grime, mold and detergent leftover. Therefore, it is important to clean your washer from time to time so that the smell will not generate and pollute your clothes.

Guide to clean front-load washing machine

The methods of cleaning front-load washers and top-load washers are different.

Let’s start with the front-load ones:

1. You will need: ¼ cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar
2. Blend the baking soda with water in equal amounts. We only need 1/2 cup of such mixture. Next, pour this mixture into the detergent dispenser of the washer.
3. Apply 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum.
4. Make the washer run in a high speed and high-temperature cycle.
5. When the cycle is done, wipe away any dirt that is still in the drum with a solution of water and vinegar.

Guide to clean top-load washing machine 

1. You will need: Microfiber cloth, washing machine cleaner tablet, toothbrush
2. Use the wet cloth to wipe the outside of the machine to clear any dust.
3. Mix the cleaner tablet with water and pour the solution into the drum. Let the machine operate in self-cleaning mode or normal hot water mode. When the cycle is finished, the drum should be spotless. Some newer versions of washers do not require any detergent in the self-cleaning mode so make sure to check this on the instructions of your machine. 
4. Clean the interior surface with a wet cloth.
5. Lastly, remove the detergent drawer and, again, wipe it with the wet cloth to clear any remaining detergent, softener, or bleach. A toothbrush can be used for more unyielding stains.

Some general washer maintenance advice

When not using the washers, it is important to keep the inside dry. Wipe the interior after each laundry and leave the door open to let the moisture out. For the front load type, remember to wash the detergent dispenser regularly with soap and water to prevent the buildup of detergent remains. As for the top load washer, make sure to load the proper amount of clothes, which is around 2/3 of the drum. If the drum is overfilled, there will be too much moisture left in the drum after laundry, making it harder to dry the drum. On the other hand, if the amount of clothes is under 2/3 level, excess detergent leftover will stay in the washer and accumulate rapidly.

Conclusion

It is important to clean your washing machine regularly to avoid unwanted odors contaminating your clothes. Simply follow the steps above and you will have a polished washer! Also, keep in mind to leave the washer dried when it is not running and wash the detergent container frequently. Lastly, make sure to wash the clothes in the right proportion. We hope this blog is helpful for your laundry. If you need professional cleaning services to take care of your appliances, Sparkling and Beyond are willing to help you! Visit our website sparklingandbeyond.org or dial 415-966-1101 for more information and free quotes!

Reference:

• This is why your washing machine smells, and here’s how to clean it
• How to clean a smelly washer
• How to clean a washing machine: 7 steps guide
• How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine