Cleaning your washing machine might seem odd at first—after all, it’s a device designed to clean. However, ensuring this household essential is deep cleaned every month is crucial for its performance and longevity. In this guide, we’ll show you the most effective methods for cleaning your washing machine using both chemical and natural products. Whether it’s battling bad odors, preventing mold growth, or simply maintaining efficiency, regular cleaning is key to keeping your machine and your clothes fresh.
How Often to Clean Your Washing Machine
Ideally, you should clean your washing machine once a month. Think of it as a way to prevent problems, not just fix them when they happen. If your clothes don’t smell as clean as they should, or if you see things like pet hair or leaves stuck around the door seals, it means you probably haven’t cleaned the machine well in a while.
Why It’s Important to Clean Regularly
Apart from dirt, the soap from your detergent and bath products, and minerals from your water can accumulate and make a place for bacteria to grow. This buildup can block the parts inside your machine and affect how it works, such as causing water temperature to change unexpectedly or smells to pass from one piece of clothing to another.
How to Begin Cleaning Your Washing Machine
To start cleaning your washing machine, first clean the inside and the door seals with a general cleaner. For machines with a top opening, clean any filters or drains near the seal. If your machine opens from the front, find the drain filter (usually behind a small door at the bottom), empty it over a bin, and rinse it before putting it back. Keep a large bowl ready to catch any water that spills when you open the drain tube.
Items You Need:
- Washing machine cleaner
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloth
If your machine or freshly washed clothes start smelling bad, consider using a washing machine cleaner such as Affresh. Just follow the directions on the package.
Clean Your Washing Machine with Vinegar
For a natural cleaning option, you can use vinegar, a common item you probably have in your kitchen. Vinegar is great because its acidity kills bacteria, cuts through grime and buildup, and gets rid of odors, especially when you mix it with baking soda.
Before trying this homemade cleaning method, make sure to check your washing machine’s manual to see if it’s safe. If it’s okay, start by adding 2 cups of vinegar to the detergent dispenser and run a hot cycle. After that, put a half-cup of baking soda directly into the drum and run another hot cycle. To finish, spray the inside of the drum with vinegar (using a spray bottle makes it easier) and then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. This combination of vinegar and hot water can effectively remove a bit of soap residue buildup.
Here’s the deal: If your washing machine isn’t a high-efficiency (HE) model, it uses more water for each wash. So, you’ll need to use more vinegar—double the amount, or 4 cups, for a non-HE machine. This helps ensure the vinegar can work effectively throughout the larger volume of water.
How to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine
Top-loading washing machines come in two styles: traditional and high-efficiency. Traditional ones have a central agitator, while high-efficiency models, also called hybrid top loaders, use a flat, disc-shaped impeller at the bottom.
Here’s how to clean both kinds of top-loading washing machines:
- For traditional models, remove the agitator and let it soak in a sink filled with hot water, vinegar, and baking soda.
- For hybrid models, remove the impeller and soak it in a solution of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. (There’s usually a bolt holding this part, so it’s only suggested to do this occasionally for thorough cleaning.)
- For hybrid models, remember to clean and check the fabric softener dispenser for any unwanted buildup. It’s usual to find layers of detergent, fabric softener, and residue in any washing machine.
- For both traditional and hybrid top-loading machines, start a cycle with hot water and add a cleaning tablet, such as Oxy Clean or Affresh, following the package’s directions. For a natural method, fill the machine with hot water and mix in vinegar and baking soda. Always check the manufacturer’s advice before trying homemade cleaning solutions.
- For washers with rubber components or hoses, don’t use vinegar; it can cause the hoses to crack and leak over time.
How to Clean a Front-Loading Washing Machine
In washing machines, including front-loaders, things like leftovers from previous washes, food bits, remaining detergent, dirt, and tap water minerals can pile up. If you don’t clean it, this buildup can lead to up to 14 types of germs and 12 kinds of mold growing in a standard washing machine. To keep your machine running well, it’s very important to keep the tub clean.
Here are the recommended steps to clean a front-loading washing machine:
- Before starting, ensure the washing machine tub is empty of any laundry, and get rid of any leftover water by running a spin-only cycle.
- Add liquid chlorine bleach to the detergent compartment, filling it up to the maximum line. Remember: Avoid using the compartment specifically for bleach.
- Once you’ve added the liquid chlorine bleach, activate the “self clean” function. (Make sure not to leave liquid chlorine bleach inside your washer.) Close the lid or door of the front-loading washer and press the power button to start.
- Choose the self clean, self clean+, or pure cycle option, and then press the start or pause button to begin. The duration of the self clean cycle can differ across models, but it typically lasts about four hours for front-load washing machines.
- After the self-clean cycle finishes, use paper towels to wipe away any residue left in the tub.
- Start a rinse and spin cycle to get rid of any leftover residue. If needed, keep running more cycles until you can’t see any more mold residue.
- Keep the lid or door of the washing machine open to allow it to air dry. Also, leave the detergent drawer open to aid in drying.
- Clean the pump filter, which is usually found on the front near the bottom and behind a small panel on front-loading washing machines.
- If you notice odor or mold remaining, even after several cleanings, call a professional for service.
How to Keep Your Washing Machine Clean
Moving forward, aim to leave the door slightly open, about an inch, between wash cycles to improve airflow; this helps dry out the inside and slows bacteria growth. Also, clean the seals of your machine more frequently and keep the filters and area around the seal clear to prevent debris from entering the main drain filter. Regular use of your machine—daily or every other day—can also prevent bacteria from growing and reduce odor issues. This means less trouble with smelly laundry. There’s a positive aspect to keeping up with your laundry duties.