Can I Put Bleach in My Washing Machine? Yes, you can, but it needs to be done in a certain manner to get the right results. This is because you risk ruining your clothes if not done properly. Also, one of the best ways to eliminate horrid smells in the washing machine is to run a ‘bleach wash cycle’ and voila! You will soon have a fresher-than-fresh-smelling washing machine for days. So how do we do this? Well, here are a few steps:
Contents
- Things to Consider Before You Use Bleach
- Washing Machine and the Bleach
- When Using Bleach to Clean Clothes in Washing Machine
- How To Use Bleach In The Washing Machine?
- So, Can I Mix Bleach With Laundry Detergent in the Washing Machine?
- How Much Bleach Do I Put In My Washing Machine?
- Can I Put Bleach in My Washing Machine?: The Conclusion
Things to Consider Before You Use Bleach
Now, before you start your ‘little Bleach adventure,’ there are a few aspects to take care of. Let us take a look:
- Ensure to use gloves as you try and get dirty with bleach
- Be sure to dilute the bleach the right way in order to ensure safety
- Never mix bleach with any other cleaning products
- Keep the bleach away from your face and eyes at all cost
- Use bleach as you keep the windows open to stay safe.
So, Can I put bleach in my washing machine to clean it? Well, you can and here’s how:
Washing Machine and the Bleach
While the good old bleach can be used for various purposes, there is a way to use it in a washing machine. Here are the two different ways to use bleach in a washing machine:
- When cleaning clothes in a washing machine
- For cleaning the washing machine from inside
Now, let us get into the details about how to best use bleach in the washing machine:
When Using Bleach to Clean Clothes in Washing Machine
Before you clean your clothes in the washing machine, you need to ensure that you are using the right kind of bleach for the purpose. We recommend:
- Oxygen Bleach
- Chlorine Bleach
So, what are each of these bleach all about? Let us explore a bit:
1. The Oxygen Bleach/Color Safe Bleach
This is a mild version of bleach and is not as aggressive as the Chlorine type. This can be used safely both for your Whites and Colors. However, you cannot use this Bleach type in Wool, leather and Silk.
2. Chlorine Bleach
This is the bleaching type that is recommended when trying to clean some aggressive fabric types. This works wonders for hard-to-remove tough stains. Also, it is advised to use this away from kids and animals. And, of course, you cannot use this on Rubber, Woolens and Silk, Acetates and other fabric blends.
How To Use Bleach In The Washing Machine?
- Start by checking the label on the clothes you are trying to wash to ensure they are Bleach-safe.
- Testing your fabric before you get into the actual cleaning process is recommended. This way, you can ensure that it is safe for use. For this, dab some bleach solutions onto the fabric to check its behaviour. If all is clear, you can easily use this for the rest of the washing process.
- Now, when using it inside the washing machine, place the bleach into the Bleach Dispenser located inside the washing machine. For the rest of the steps, you need to follow the instructions as given in the manual for the quantity that you need to use.
- If using powdered bleach, simply add the powdered bleach into the tub before you add the clothes.
- Next, put the detergent as usual into the washing machine and proceed with the wash cycle.
- Wait for the bleach to mix with the water for about 2 minutes, and you are good to go.
- You can initiate the ‘Hot cycle’ for the best results, as it works well with the Bleach machine wash.
- After the washing process is done, you simply need to hang out the washed clothes to dry out and check for the tags to know exactly what to do.
So, Can I Mix Bleach With Laundry Detergent in the Washing Machine?
Well yes, you very well can, only in the right proportion according to the instructions given in the washing machine manual and also on the clothes tag as required.
The Rules to Follow: When Using Bleach in the Washing Machine
- Avoid pouring the bleach directly into the washing machine with the clothes inside, as this can cause permanent damage to the fabric.
- The bleach doesn’t need to be suitable for all kinds of clothes and fabrics; hence, check the labels.
- Also, check if all the clothes you wish to wash in the Bleach cycle are suitable for the ‘Hot wash.’ Some can get ruined pretty badly because of the same.
- It is not recommended that you perform spot-cleaning with bleach, as it does not work that way. For this, the entire cloth needs to be submerged uniformly in the bleach.
- Beware of over-bleaching, as it can lead to the Yellowing of the material, especially if you use Chlorine Bleach.
- It is strictly advised that the user should check and read the instructions on the clothes before they can use bleach on them.
How Much Bleach Do I Put In My Washing Machine?
Well, to start with, this greatly depends upon the brand you are using. However, like any other electronic appliance, one can easily use bleach to clean the washing machine. Bleach is one of the best and most preferred agents, as it offers heavenly-smelling results at the end of the cleaning process.
Below Are The Steps For Cleaning Your Washing Machine Using Bleach
- Start by checking if you can use bleach, if at all, in your washing machine model.
- Remove all the clothes from within the washing machine, as the machine should be empty.
- Remove and clean the filters; this is quite important, as the filters tend to get dirty over time. Not just that, it also traps hair and other chunky pieces of dirt that emerge out of the clothes.
- Now wipe the gasket of the machine.
- Do not over-clean the inner of the washing machine; you simply have to use hot water and a sponge to clean the dirt inside and remove the gunk caught in the filter.
- Within the detergent drawer, place 60 ml of laundry in the washing machine; there are chances that the detergent bleach can ruin your washing machine, also.
- Now, you need to set the option to ‘Hot’ and ‘Long’ wash cycles as the heat tends to activate the Bleach function.
- Once the cycle is complete, open the washing machine and check for the strong smell of the bleach. If it still exists, you need to run another wash cycle.
Also Read: 12 Best Washing Machine in India
Can I Put Bleach in My Washing Machine?: The Conclusion
So, you see, you can very well put bleach into the washing machine to clean the machine itself and the clothes. However, be sure to check for the instructions both in the Clothes and the washing machine model itself.