How to clean the tray in the washing machine: recommendations and personal experience

Maintaining the cleanliness of your clothes and the effectiveness of your washing machine both depend on keeping it clean. The tray or detergent dispenser is one spot that is frequently disregarded. Detergent, fabric softener, and other laundry product residue can build up in this compartment over time, resulting in mold, mildew, and foul odors. Using advice from professionals and firsthand knowledge, we’ll look at a few easy yet efficient ways to clean the washing machine tray in this post.

It’s important to comprehend the importance of routine washing machine tray maintenance before beginning the cleaning process. Because you pour your detergents and additives into the tray, it is prone to accumulation and bacterial growth. Ignoring to clean it could lead to unpleasant odors, deteriorate the quality of your laundry, and possibly even pose health risks. You can extend the life of your washing machine and guarantee peak performance by including tray cleaning in your routine maintenance schedule.

Experts frequently advise utilizing a solution of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda to clean the washing machine tray. The acidic qualities of vinegar aid in the dissolution of residue and the destruction of bacteria, while baking soda works as a mild abrasive to remove tough dirt. To start, take the washing machine tray out and soak it for about half an hour in a solution of equal parts vinegar and hot water. After that, sprinkle baking soda onto the tray and scrub away any leftover buildup with a soft brush or sponge.

Using specific cleaning agents for washing machines—which are easily found in stores—is an additional strategy. Convenient and efficient, these products are designed to specifically target mildew, mold, and detergent residue. Just do as directed on the package, which usually entails filling the tray with the cleaning solution and starting a hot water cycle without doing any laundry. These products might be more expensive, but they can be especially helpful for severely soiled trays or lingering smells.

Why does dirt appear in the machine compartments??

Although the washing machine and water are in constant contact, this does not shield its components from certain problems:

  • Mold can appear in the machine due to constant dampness;
  • hard water causes lime scale to form on the surfaces of the washing machine;
  • powder or conditioner particles are trapped in the "pockets" for detergents.

All of these impurities harm laundry; items become unrinsed and develop an unpleasant musty smell. The operation of the entire mechanism is impacted when dirt and mold from the tray enter the drum. As a result, it’s critical to promptly clean these departments and prevent the reemergence of dirt.

How to clean?

The powder compartment can be cleaned in a few different ways. Store-bought or homemade remedies are both acceptable options.

Household chemicals

You need to keep in mind that the machine’s compartments are made of plastic in order to select the appropriate product and avoid damaging it. Try these for plastic surfaces:

    Special descaling agents for washing machines and dishwashers: Antinakipin, Chistin, Eonit, WPRO, etc. As a rule, they are available in the form of powder, which is used to remove scale from the heating elements of the machine. In our case, to remove plaque, you can make a paste of the product and smear it on the dirt in the tray, and then run the machine at idle with the product, as indicated in the instructions.

Powders for descaling have a variety of applications.

In your kitchen, you most likely have a suitable remedy.

As an aside! Acidic or alkaline cleaning solutions should never be used on plastic since they will erode the material.

Folk recipes

Use folk remedies instead of household chemicals if you don’t have any on hand or if using them bothers you:

    Soda is a universal cleaning agent. For small soiling of pockets, it will be enough to prepare a soda solution (baking soda and water in a proportion of 1:1), soak a rag in it and wipe the dirty areas. Baking soda is especially good in the fight against mold. If you need to "defeat" stale stains, prepare a paste of baking soda and apply it to the entire surface of the tray. After 30-40 minutes, wipe off.

Powdered soda is a common cleaning agent.

Crystals of citric acid are useful for removing scale.

Lime deposits are corroded by acetic acid.

Good to know

These suggestions might be helpful if you are having trouble cleaning the pockets in your automatic washing machine:

  • If the soiling of the compartments is small, you can remove them without taking them out of the machine.
  • To get the tray, pull it out as far as it will go and push the button or clip located in the air conditioner compartment.
  • The hard-to-reach places are conveniently cleaned with an old toothbrush.
  • Wear gloves when using household chemicals or vinegar.
  • Carefully read the composition of the chemical product before using it: the product can be dangerous for plastic. Sometimes the main component of descalers is citric acid, which you can simply take from the kitchen shelf and do not overpay.
  • If you take out the tray, don"t forget to clean the machine surfaces it comes in contact with as well.
  • After each wash cycle, wipe the tray dry.
  • Organize a "general cleaning" for the washing machine at least once a month.

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Personal experience

My own washing machine arrived in an extremely ugly state. This is what I obtained after using various products to clean the tray.

There was powder, mold, and plaque all over the tray.

I started by attempting to use the Cif cream with whitening effect and microgranules. I use the cream in the kitchen with success. This product’s creamy consistency is one of its positive aspects. It is easy to apply and stays in the tray without spreading or overflowing. It smells nice as well. After using the product for fifteen to twenty minutes, I scrubbed with a brush. Undoubtedly, the impact was negligible. Fresh stains are most likely to be removed by this cream. In complex cases, it won’t be helpful.

I then tried a Faberlic oven and stove product that was based on caustic soda. Another benefit is its consistency. It appears as a viscous, colorless gel. The smell is disagreeable, but it’s not overpowering. Following a 15-minute soak, a minor enhancement was observed. It thus functions a little bit better than Cif cream.

The tray looked like this after being treated with common household chemicals.

After that, I looked into folk cures. I started with using baking soda. I scrubbed all the surfaces with the baking soda using a toothbrush. Minus: You had to rub very firmly in order for the baking soda to "work."

Tray following the application of baking soda

Lastly, I left my tray immersed in a 9% vinegar solution for the entire night. Soaking is a hassle because of the large tray. To prevent the vinegar from leaking out of the pockets, I had to make some adjustments. The lime scale remained in the morning, but the tray turned a noticeable whiter color.

Although vinegar couldn’t remove limescale, it did greatly refresh the tray.

You can infer from my experiment that, when applied promptly, all remedies are beneficial.

Step Description
1 Inspect the tray for any visible debris or mold.
2 Remove the tray from the washing machine.
3 Soak the tray in a mixture of warm water and mild detergent.
4 Scrub the tray gently with a soft brush or sponge to remove dirt and grime.
5 Rinse the tray thoroughly with clean water.
6 Dry the tray completely before placing it back into the washing machine.

Cleaning the washing machine’s tray is a chore that’s sometimes forgotten but is crucial to keeping it functional and extending its life. To ensure that your clothes come out clean and fresh from every wash, you can avoid the accumulation of dirt, detergent residue, and mold by cleaning the tray on a regular basis.

Eliminating any obvious residue or debris from the tray is one of the first steps in cleaning it. Usually, this can be accomplished by using a damp cloth or sponge to clean the tray. Particular attention should be given to the edges and corners where dirt tends to collect. A vinegar solution or mild detergent can be used to dissolve and remove stubborn buildup or stains.

After removing any visible dirt, it’s critical to address any mold growth or residual smells. Running a hot water cycle with a cup of baking soda or white vinegar added to the detergent dispenser is one efficient way. This will assist in cleaning the tray and getting rid of any bad odors. As an alternative, you can use commercial washing machine cleaners by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

It’s a good idea to clean the washing machine’s interior after cleaning the tray. Use a moist cloth to wipe the door seal and any other parts that are accessible to get rid of any dirt or mold. Furthermore, look for any debris or obstructions in the drainage hose and filter that could be impeding the machine’s functionality.

You can make sure that your washing machine keeps working effectively and efficiently by adding these easy cleaning steps into your regular maintenance. This will not only leave your clothes cleaner, but it will also help save money on future, expensive repairs or replacements. You can prolong the life of your washing machine by giving it some time and attention.

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Sergey Ivanov

I like to help people create comfort and comfort in their homes. I share my experience and knowledge in articles so that you can make the right choice of a heating and insulation system for your home.

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