Like it is not enough that you have to wash laundry. GASP— now you need to wash your washing machine. What has this world come to? All kidding aside, from time to time, you do need to wash your washing machine to keep the buildup and goop out of it. Now, how does one go about cleaning their washing machine? Let’s find out!
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
1. Find out what kind of washer you have.
The first step to cleaning your washing machine is finding out what kind of washer you have. Do you have a front loading washing machine or a top loader washer? How old is your washer? Keep these things in mind before you begin cleaning your washer.
2. Read the owner’s manual.
In your desire to clean your washing machine, don’t forget to read your owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual can help you avoid doing anything wrong to your washer. Trust me, you don’t want to ruin anything in your efforts to have a clean washer.
3. Don’t take anything apart.
One thing I have come to realize when “cleaning”, don’t take anything apart that you cannot put back together. Instead of taking it apart, try to clean it while it’s put together. When you take it apart and you’re not a licensed professional, you ruin the chances of it working ever again—if it’s not done right!
4. Let the washing machine do the work.
I would assume that you could do this step with any washing machine. Basically, you turn the washer to the hottest setting that it will allow and you let it do its thing. You don’t want to have anything in the washer as you’re cleaning it. If your washer has a “sanitize” setting, this is perfect for cleaning your washing machine.
5. Hot water and soap.
If you don’t want to waste a whole cycle on cleaning your washer, one thing you can do is get a bucket of hot water and soap. Scrub the inside and outside of your washer, just like you’d clean anything else in your house.
6. Use baking soda to deodorize your washer.
You can use baking soda to help you clean your washer. Let’s say you cannot get rid of a gross musty smell in your washer, baking soda can help. Sprinkle baking soda in your washer between loads. I wouldn’t do too much of this because I don’t know if it will clog your washing machine or not. You can also use vinegar to help get rid of any gross smells in your washer. There is nothing worse than a washing machine that smells gross, trust me. You can also use vinegar or baking soda in your “empty load” to help get it super clean.
7. Clean the lip of your front loading washer.
To prevent water from coming out, most front loading washers have a lip/seal. Most of the time, this lip/seal gets really gross and dirty. Take some bleach and clean the inside of this lip. This will remove mold and help make sure all of your clothes are super clean!
8. Move the washer and clean underneath it.
Another part of cleaning your washing machine that you aren’t necessarily looking forward to is cleaning underneath it. It’s important to move your washer out from time to time to make sure there is no leakage and that everything is running smoothly. Plus, it never hurts to clean all of the lint and fuzz from underneath the washer.
9. Clean out the nooks and crannies.
While you’re busy cleaning your washer, one thing you should do is clean the books and crannies of your washer. If you have a top loading washer, you probably have a few more nooks and crannies than front loading washers. You’ll want to clean the inside lid of your top loading washer and get the inside of the lid as well.
10. Make sure to clean your washing machine once a month.
When it comes down to it, cleaning your washing machine is something that should be done at least once a month. Preventing mildew, mold, and buildup is always a good move. If the goal is to keep your washer running as smooth as possible, then you want to take these steps at least once a month to keep everything running smoothly.
11. Buy products to help you maintain your washer.
If you are not a person who loves cleaning your washer, there are products you can buy to help you avoid cleaning it. Kind of like your dishwasher, there are products that do it for you, so you don’t have to. Check out some of these products that can help you maintain your washer, so you don’t have to clean it as often.
Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner – Great for HE Machines, helps control odors
Tide Washing Machine Cleaner – Also available in stores
Oxi Clean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters – Works with HE Machines
Cleaning your washing machine can have many lasting effects. Like, keeping your laundry clean from rust and stains. It can also make the laundry room look nicer. Not having a dirty washing machine sure does come in handy.
12. Last tip: Have the washed maintained at least once a year.
Another thing that can keep your washer from getting build up is by having it maintained. A licensed professional can come in and make sure everything is running smoothly in your washer. You’d be surprised at how long of a life your washer can have by being properly maintained.
