How to Clean Your Washing Machine – April 15, 2020
Have you neglected to clean your washing machine? It can seem counter-intuitive at first—this is the machine
that CLEANS things, so shouldn’t it, by definition, be clean?
Nope. Dirt and grime from all those dirty clothes don’t wash away entirely and eventually builds up in your machine, as well as hard water minerals and possibly
mold and mildew. So, then you are essentially washing clothes in dirty water. Yuck!
The good news is there is a cheap and easy fix. All you need is some white vinegar, bleach and your washers hot
water cycle. Exactly which way to approach the task depends on what type of machine you have.
Front Loading Washing Machines:
Run your machine on a hot cycle using about two cups of vinegar (add vinegar to the detergent dispenser or right in the tub). Vinegar is great for cleaning grime and soap scum.
Once the vinegar wash cycle is complete, do the same thing again using two cups of chlorine bleach and the hottest water setting. This time, when the wash cycle is done, run an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the bleach has been washed away.
Don’t forget to clean the rubber seal around the door! Wipe it down using a solution of ¼ cup bleach and about a quart of warm water.
Wipe it down using a clean cloth as thoroughly as possible, then dry it with an absorbent cloth.
Top Loading Washing Machines:
Run the bleach clean first using about a quart of bleach. Fill with hot water and bleach, then let it soak for an hour or so to kill all the mold, mildew, and germs. Again, run a complete wash on the hottest water setting you have. No need to double rinse. Next, fill the washer with hot water and about a quart of vinegar. Again, let it soak for an hour. Then run it again using the hottest water setting.
Next Steps:
All machines will benefit from a simple wipe down with vinegar water. Be sure to get into the nooks and crannies, and don’t forget the inside of the door or lid!
If you can remove the soap, bleach and fabric softener dispensers, soak them in a sink or pail of soapy water for a few minutes. Clean each piece with a rag or brush. Rinse and dry them and put
them back.
Be sure to wipe down the outside of the machine with a damp cloth. Ta-da! Your washer is sparkling!
Check out these tips for how to clean your dryer vent from Ace Hardware.
Keeping your laundry area clear of clutter
