Why You Need To Clean Your Washing Machine?

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, buuuut if you're not cleaning your washing machine—as in the appliance that's designed to do the cleaning for you—then that top you're currently wearing (super cute, btw) likely isn' t as fresh as it might make you feel.

No, you're not being punk'd and no, Ashton Kutcher isn't going to surprise you any second now (although that would be pretty awesome, no?).

Truth is, your washing machine China Washing machine wash motors manufacturedoesn't actually clean itself while cleaning your clothes—no matter how logical that might seem. Rather, over time, soap, scum, and hard water can build up, creating a delish feeding ground for bacteria, says Melissa Maker, cleaning expert at Clean My Space, a housekeeping service in Canada. "Not cleaning your machine leaves it susceptible to redepositing dirt and residue back onto your clothing, which leaves it dingy-looking and creates a stinky situation."

Think: your college dorm's laundry room. But long gone are your days of textbooks and tailgates—and so should be those of gunk-ridden washing machines. Here's everything you need to know about how and when to scrub your machine to keep it (and your clothes, towels, and bed sheets) squeaky clean.