Step 1 was completed last week- I ran my washing machine's "bleach cycle." If you got your washing machine from the base, you should have gotten a corresponding set of English instructions. In this case, you already know which button to select. However, if your kid ran off with the instructions and they have never been seen again (bet you can't guess who this happened to), then you should fall on your knees and thank me. I spent an hour on jisho.com doing kanji translation. You're welcome.
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| On your machine's control panel, select the option with kanji that correspond to the left column's bottom line. That is the bleach cycle. |
Before starting the cycle, pour in bleach! I use about two cups. This is a completely random amount and may or may not be too much or too little. Do this first thing in the morning, on a day you do not plan to actually do laundry. My machine's cycle takes 12 hours to run completely. It's also quiet, so no need to worry about bothering any neighbors if you chose to run it at night, instead. The only thing I remember from my instructions is that running this cycle every six months is recommended.
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| Little TF thinks I bought her a new friend. |
Now that I've run the bleach cycle, I need to tackle the mold buildup in all those crevices. My hand cannot fit between the lip and the drum, so a mere washcloth is not up to the task. That's ok, the 100 Yen store comes to the rescue, once again! These soft, textured cleaning friends are sold in varying sizes and characters. I spray it with a cleaning solution and then work into all the nooks and crannies. I use Tilex (spore inhalation freaks me out), and then go back over with water a couple times to rinse.
Actually, now that I think about it, maybe I should have done this step before running the bleach cycle. The rinse water keeps running into the machine's drum. Rats.
Ganbatte!
-The Tofu Fox
PS: If your instructions also tell you how to clean your washing machine, you should probably follow those, instead.
There is also a mold preventative course that you should run once a month. Select the option above the one you chose (黒カビシャット). Start the course, after there is a little water inside add 220 ml of bleach. The course takes about 2 hours to complete, and should prevent mold from ever growing in the first place, thus making the course you are sweating through unnecessary!! YAY! That is only if mold somehow accidentally grows (if you don't religiously use the preventative course).
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't fill you in a long time ago : )
Another reason to keep your kid from absconding with the washing machine instructions. Thank-you, Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteUm, I never once did that ever. And our machine did not come with instructions. GROSS---I washed my clothes in mold water for three years!
ReplyDelete