How to Clean Your Washing Machine
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You might not think that the inside of a washing machine needs to be cleaned. After all, isn’t it staying clean each time you run a load of laundry? Well, if you’ve ever noticed a slightly funky smell coming from your washer, you’re already overdue for a deep clean.
Contrary to popular belief, your washing machine can get dirty inside. Over time, detergent residue, minerals from water, dirt from soiled clothing and grime all build up inside of the machine, giving bacteria and mildew a foothold that can eventually affect the cleanliness of your laundry.
Not to mention, foregoing routine cleaning and maintenance can also reduce the lifespan of your appliance. That’s why it’s important to clean your washer regularly. And the good news is that it's easy to do. Just follow the steps below on a regular basis and you'll have a cleaner machine and fresher laundry to go with it.
Wipe and dry regularly
With every load of laundry that cycles through your washing machine, a small amount of detergent residue is left behind. This residue can build up more quickly than you realize. And, though it seems counter-intuitive, it’s possible for bacteria to make a home in this soapy residue.
Therefore, prevent bacteria from having a place to thrive by making sure to regularly wipe out any detergent, bleach, or softener left in their respective receptacles in your washing machine. If you have a drawer that pulls out to put in detergents and other liquids, set a reminder on your calendar to remove it every couple of months, wash it thoroughly in warm water, and let it air dry.
Additionally, you’ll want to wipe down the rubber seal on front loading washing machines on a regular basis using a solution of diluted bleach and water. To help this seal and the rest of the machine resist mildew over time, keep the washer door ajar when not in use. Doing so allows everything to dry more thoroughly in between loads.
Run monthly cleaning cycles on hot without clothing
Once a month, run an empty cycle on the hot temperature setting. This will help to remove detergent residue as well as bacteria, mold and mildew from the washing machine tub. Then, every three to six months, run a cycle with either a store-bought washing machine cleaner or a home-made version.
Home-made recipes usually consist of either vinegar or baking soda. It’s important to note that you should not combine these two ingredients in your machine. However, you can do an empty wash with each of them separately if you wish. The vinegar will address the limescale left by minerals in your water, while the baking soda can be a natural alternative to bleach for ridding the machine of bacteria buildup.
If you do opt for two cleaning cycles, look inside the machine for any remaining buildup after the first cycle and scrub it with a rough sponge to help remove it completely during the next cycle.
Clean the filter regularly
You may be surprised to learn that your dryer isn’t the only major laundry appliance that has a lint filter. Washing machines also have a filter designed to keep fabric lint from getting into the mechanics of the appliance. Some washing machine filters are labeled “self-cleaning” in product user manuals, but many need to be cleaned by hand. It’s best to clean your washing machine filter every two to four months. For top-loading washing machines, the filter is often below the agitator, but it can vary from model to model. To locate the placement of your machine’s filter, refer to your user manual. If you happened to have lost the physical copy of your washer’s user guide, you can usually find a version online by typing your machine’s make and model into an internet browser.
Because the access to the lint filter on a washing machine isn’t as straightforward as the one on a dryer, it is best to unplug your machine before removing it. Additionally, you may want to put a towel down to capture water that could come out with the filter.
Once you’ve removed your machine’s filter, start by pulling any visible material from it by using a paper towel or a small brush. Then, clean the filter in your sink with hot water (you can also use water to dislodge any material that might be stuck in the filter).
Check your manual for any other maintenance and cleaning advice
Your washing machine’s manual is a great resource for learning how to take care of your machine. It also often includes tips and recommendations for how to wash your clothes, bedding and other linens. When in doubt, always consult your manual for the best ways to go about the cleaning steps listed above or for further advice about specific maintenance as it relates to your model of washer. For instance, the filter location and recommended cleaning might differ between a traditional washer and a stacked laundry center or a pedestal washer.
By practicing these regular cleaning and maintenance steps, you can improve the hygiene of your washing machine, rid it of odors that might carry over to clothes and even extend the life of the machine itself. For a sizeable investment like a washer, spending a little bit of extra time on upkeep is well worth it in both the short and long run.