What Does Soil Mean on Your Washing Machine?
Generally speaking, soil on a washing machine isn’t cause for huge concern. Chances are good that it has a very simple explanation, which can be prevented in the future by washing hands before touching the washing machine. Theoretically speaking, it is possible for soil to get onto a washing machine for other reasons. In practice, the chances of that happening are so low that there isn’t much point to talking about them. Instead, the more common scenario is soil in the washing machine, which tends to have a very simple explanation as well.
Clothing can get dirty for a wide range of reasons. When they are brought into a washing machine, they will bring that dirt as well as those other substances into that washing machine with them. Most times, those substances will be removed by the end of the cycle. However, it is very much possible for some of those substances to remain in the washing machine under certain circumstances, thus resulting in an eyesore. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the chances of this happening, which should prove very useful for interested individuals. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when seeking to prevent soil from sticking around in a washing machine:
It Should Be Very Easy to Remove the Soil
It should be very easy to remove the soil, which makes sense because a washing machine is meant to wash. One suggested course of action would be putting in 4 ounces citric acid crystals, which are often used for removing unwanted substances, killing microorganisms, and otherwise cleaning. After which, interested individuals can fill the washing machine’s tub with hot water before running a regular cycle.
That should be enough to remove the soil, so once that has been completed, they should run a second regular cycle using laundry detergent to remove any citric acid residue that might have remained behind. Alternatively, if people don’t want to use their washing machine to clean itself, well, there is always the option of scrubbing the soil away on their own. Something as simple as either a household scrubber or a household sponge should suffice. Similarly, they should use a non-abrasive household cleaner because they don’t want to do any damage to the surface that they are cleaning.
Some Washing Machines Have a Self-Cleaning Feature
Speaking of which, some washing machines have a self-cleaning feature that is specifically meant to remove soil as well as other substances clinging to the interior. Interested individuals are going to need to get some cleaning tablets for washing machines, which they should be able to find at both grocery stores and hardware stores. After which, they can just use their washing machine’s self-cleaning feature plus those cleaning tablets to get the job done. Something that should be as simple as can be.
Use Pre-Wash
Plenty of people get dirt and other unwanted substances on their clothing on a regular basis. As a result, it should come as no surprise to learn that plenty of washing machines have features that are specifically meant to help out with said issue. To name an example, interested individuals might want to check to see if their washing machine comes with a pre-wash feature or something with a similar name. Essentially, this will add an initial cycle that will fill the tub with cold water, agitate the cold water, and then remove the cold water before moving on to the actual washing process. It is meant to shake some of the dirt loose before removing it, which should reduce the chances of the subsequent wash leaving dirt on the washing machine’s interior.
Consider Soil Level
Similarly, interested individuals should check to see if their washing machine has a setting for soil level, which should be very useful for removing dirt and other unwanted substances. Please note that the settings aren’t referring to the amount of dirt and other unwanted substances that can be found on the clothing. Interested individuals shouldn’t be using a heavy or an extra heavy setting for their normal clothing. Instead, these settings are meant to indicate the kind of clothing that needs dirt and other unwanted substances to be removed from them. Light or extra light are meant for more delicate fabrics as well as more delicate kinds of clothing in general. In contrast, heavy and extra heavy are meant for that which is particularly strong and rigid. As for medium, normal, and variations on said terms, those settings would be meant for everyday clothing.
What Are Some Other Suggestions for Using a Washing Machine?
There are other suggestions that might prove useful for the best laundry results.
Always Check the Clothing Label
If people aren’t sure how they should wash a particular piece of clothing, well, they should remember that is what the clothing label is meant for. There is no point to guessing how something should be cleaned when its clothing label should say everything relevant. Of course, interested individuals can go against said advice. However, there can be some serious consequences for that.
Separate Laundry Into Three Piles
Laundry should be separated into three piles, which should be dark-colored clothing, light-colored clothing, and white-colored clothing. This is important because dyes aren’t permanent. Whenever something dyed gets washed, some of that dye will come off, which creates the potential for that to settle on other pieces of clothing. This won’t be too noticeable on already dark-colored clothing. In contrast, this can be very noticeable on light-colored and white-colored clothing.
Any zippers on clothing should be zipped. In contrast, any buttons on clothing should be unbuttoned. In both cases, this is meant to protect the clothing. Zipped-up, the zippers won’t smash into hard surfaces. Unbuttoned, pulling forces will have a harder time damaging the button holes as well as the button threads.
Never Stuff a Washing Machine
Stuffing a washing machine is a bad idea. It makes the wash less effective because there will be less room for the clothing to move around, which is critical to the whole process. Furthermore, stuffing a washing machine can speed up the rate at which it accumulates wear and tear, which means repair and replacement costs sooner than necessary.
Be Careful with Fabric Softener
Fabric softener can be very useful. However, it comes with some potential issues as well. For example, its chemicals can be irritating for people with sensitive skin. Similarly, its chemicals can make a towel less absorbent.
You can also read:
- What is a Locking Washer and Why Would You Use One?
- How to Winterize Your Washing Machine
- What is Washing Soda? Everything You Need to Know
