How To: Clean your washing machine!

Front-loading washing machines are energy efficient and use less detergent than top-loaders, and are by far the most popular machines in the UK. But they sometimes have a tendency to harbour mold and unpleasant smells. By giving your washing machine a quick clean once a month, you'll keep your front-loader fresh, which means cleaner clothes, too. This eco-friendly method doesn't use bleach, costs only pennies to make, and comes together with ingredients you already have on hand.

What You'll Need:

• 2 cups vinegar
• 1/4 cup bicarbonate of soda
• 1/4 cup water
• A sponge scourer

Directions:

1. Start by mixing together the bicarbonate of soda and water in a small bowl. This is going to be the "detergent" for cleaning the washing machine. Pour the vinegar into a measuring cup and head over to your washing machine.

2. Add the bicarbonate of soda mixture to the detergent container of your machine and pour the vinegar into the drum. Set your washer to normal load at the hottest water setting. Close the door and start the machine, letting it do all the hard work for you. The baking soda and vinegar naturally break up mineral deposits and any mould growth while cleaning and refreshing your washing machine.
3. Use a clean scouring sponge to rub around the opening of the washing machine, removing stubborn mold or residue. Wipe clean with fresh water.

4. Your washing machine is sparkling clean and ready to do a load of laundry! Give it a clean once a month to keep your clothes smelling fresh and your machine working in tip-top condition.

5. Once you're finished with your washing machine, take a few minutes to clean your tumble dryer too!

I hope this blog post helps! Check out our others for more helpful tip and tricks!

-M

13 Weird And Wonderful Ways To Clean Silver!

Aluminum foil

Tarnished silver is no match for this aluminum foil "recipe." Bring one liter of water, one tablespoon of baking soda and one piece of aluminum foil to a boil. Drop silverware in the pot for 10 seconds (longer if it's very tarnished), then remove using kitchen tongs. Magic! If built-up tarnish persists, make a thick paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and two tablespoons of water. Apply with a damp sponge, then rinse and dry.

Laundry detergent

To make your jewelry or silverware sparkle, line a medium-sized bowl with aluminum foil and fill it with hot water. Mix in one tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent, then soak your silver for one minute. Rinse with clean water, and air-dry.

Ketchup

If your silver is tarnished, ketchup can help. Squirt a small amount on a paper towel, and rub gently over the tarnished areas. If your silver isn't getting shinier, let the ketchup sit for 15 minutes, then rub with a soft cloth and rinse clean. For items that have textured details, as with some candlesticks or fancy silverware, use a toothbrush to clean between the crevices.
Corn starch
A paste of corn starch and water will make silver look new again. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, then rub off with something mildly abrasive, like cheesecloth or a rough towel. Tip: You can substitute cream of tartar if you're out of corn starch.

Hand sanitizer 

Hand sanitizer not only fights germs, but it's a great silver polish. Squirt a few drops on a soft cloth and rub away the tarnish.

Lemon-lime soda

Recapture shine by dunking your silver items in a bowl of lemon-lime soda for one hour. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Toothpaste 
Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste on a rag and polish your silver. Then rinse—and see how it shines!

Window cleaner

Spray window cleaner on a rag or toothbrush, and use it to gently scrub your sterling silver. You should be able to restore your silver its original shiny state.

Hair conditioner 

If you want to prevent tarnish, try rubbing conditioner on clean silver.

Chalk 
Silverware will stay shiny if you keep a few pieces of chalk in the drawer or chest where you store it. The chalk absorbs moisture, preventing your nice utensils from tarnishing.

Ammonia 

Brighten silver trinkets by soaking them for 10 minutes in a solution of one cup warm water and 1/2 cup clear ammonia. Gently wipe clean and dry.

Vinegar 

Return luster and shine to your silverware and jewelry by soaking it in 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed with 2 tablespoons of baking soda for two to three hours. Rinse under cold water, and dry thoroughly.

Lemon juice and salt
Your silver will sparkle after soaking overnight in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups water, and 1/2 cup of instant dry milk.

There you have it! 13 weird and wonderful ways to clean silver!
be sure to let us know if you have a better way.

Thanks for reading make sure you check out our other posts!

-M