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I always recommend that people choose a front load washing machine over a top load, simply because they use less water, energy and detergent. The only issue is that they can get pretty smelly if you don't clean them regularly. Especially if you are like me, and it's kept outside in hot and humid Singapore. The "washer funk" as I like to call it, can also start to rub off onto your clothes, which is when it's time to get serious and "fight the funk".
You can buy little packets of washing machine cleaning powder from most shops in Singapore, but they cost around $5 to $7 and they are usually packed with chemicals and perfumes.
The Organic Alternative
The good news is that you don't need to buy these packets, as there is a simple, cheap and natural way to keep your machine from getting funky and mouldy. Plus, you should be cleaning your machine every two to four weeks (depending on the usage), so this little trick will also keep your money in your wallet.
What you will need:
2 cups of white vinegar
1/4 cup of baking soda
1/4 cup of water
A sponge or cloth
Mix together the baking soda and water and add the mixture to the detergent container of your machine.
Pour the vinegar into the drum of your machine and set your washer to a normal wash cycle using the hottest water setting.
Once the cycle is finished, put some vinegar on a sponge or cloth and wipe down the rubber seal and the door.
You should also pull out your soap dispenser and give it a good scrub in the sink with some dish soap and wipe down the area behind the soap dispenser with vinegar. I'm always surprised at how much mildew can be found there, and the vinegar will help to "zap it".
This little trick takes only minutes and will cost you around $2. If you do this regularly it will help keep the "washer funk" away and keep your clothes smelling fresh without the use of chemicals.
Written by Marra Hensby for The Finder