Treat your hardworking washer with a cleaning of its own
If you’re a homeowner, you may use your washing machine regularly, only to notice one day that your clothes aren’t getting as clean as they used to. When this day comes, it’s time to learn how to clean your washing machine. Doing so will help improve its functionality, increase your appliance’s life span, and reduce the potential for developing mildew or mold. Don’t forget to deep clean your entire laundry room regularly using our laundry room cleaning checklist.
Pour 4 cups of white vinegar into the drum (the part that fills with water and spins your clothes), and then use your brush to scrub the interior. Set the washing machine to the highest and hottest setting, and run your empty washing machine. Next, add 1 cup of baking soda to the drum and run another cycle. After both cycles, wipe down the drum with a cloth.
Note: If you notice a lingering smell, rerun the machine but this time with soap. However, while vinegar and some laundry detergents are safe when used in tandem, never mix vinegar and bleach. Combining the two chemicals can create chlorine gas, which is both an irritant and can be fatal when inhaled in high dosages.
Make sure you clean the removable parts of your washing machine since it’s possible for detergent, lint, and debris to accumulate. By cleaning these parts, your washing machine will function more efficiently, and in turn, so will you.
Removable parts may include a soap tray, detergent cups, and bleach dispensers. Soak these pieces in hot water, and then use a cloth or old toothbrush to scrape off residual debris or dirt. Afterward, rinse and return all the components. Keep an eye out for signs of mildew, which can build up around the more intricate parts of your washer. Cleaning mildew out of your washing machine will cut down on smells both in your machine and on your clothing.
As you clean, keep an eye out for signs that you may need a washing machine repair. These include water flow and drainage issues, strange sounds coming from the machine, leaks, or electrical issues.
Locate the filter. Usually, you can find it in the front of the machine behind a hatch, at the end of the drainage hose, under the center agitator, or along the rim of the drum. The filter helps to reduce the buildup of lint and debris inside, and cleaning it is essential to maintaining a high-functioning machine.
You can either soak the filter in hot water with soap or mix a white vinegar and baking soda solution. Whichever option you choose, soak the filter, and then use a scrub brush to remove all the grime thoroughly. After you’ve adequately scrubbed the filter, rinse and dry it, then return it to its place.
The gasket is commonplace for lint, hair, and debris to build up, so make sure this is part of your washing machine cleaning regimen as well. To clean the gasket, either use a spray bottle or cloth to apply vinegar. Usually, you can locate the gasket at the back of the outer tub on the washing machine
If you think about how often you or someone else touches the door to your washing machine, it’s not surprising it may get dirty over time. That’s why it’s crucial to clean the outside of your washing machine. Using a damp, clean cloth, scrub down all exterior sides of the washing machine. You can use a vinegar and water mixture or an all-purpose cleaner. In addition, make sure to clean inside the lid where soap scum and lint may accumulate.
Don’t forget about the door handle. This is probably the exterior component that receives the most amount of touches, so make sure you scrub it clean.
You may need a little extra strength for this step if you’re dealing with a particularly heavy machine. Move the machine away from the wall, and use a vacuum to eliminate all dust, dirt, hair, lint, and any accumulated debris. Clean all surfaces near your washing machine since these areas may also have some lint buildup. You can save this task for your monthly or seasonal home cleaning checklist, as it's a once-in-a-blue-moon job that takes a lot of elbow grease.
Cleaning your washing machine yourself may take a bit of time and energy, but it will save you money in the short and long term. Your favorite sweater will surely thank you. And if you feel confident about this stage of the process, you can jump right on over to washing your dryer to complete the whole job.
The cost of hiring a house cleaner to deep clean areas of your home ranges between $200 and $400. That being said, they will cover far more than just your washing machine for this price, saving you a ton of time and trial and error. Professional cleaners also have experience spotting issues with dirty washers and dryers that you might miss.
Lydia Schapiro contributed to this piece.
Aim to deep clean your washing machine every one to three months, depending on how often you’re using it. Cleaning your washing machine is a preventive measure since your work will hopefully ward off potential issues involving lint buildup or mildew and mold growth.
To prevent mold from growing in your washer, use detergent recommended for your specific washer. Afterward, leave the door open after every wash and remove wet clothes as soon as possible. You can also use a mildew cleaner to wipe the gasket and consider using a dehumidifier where you keep your washer. If you think the problem is too big for you to handle on your own, contact a local house cleaner service.
When you deep clean your washing machine, using hot water is the best practice since it’s more effective than cold water at killing various types of bacteria and viruses. Plus, hot water tends to break down soap residue more efficiently.
