Just like the clothes you wash in it, your washing machine needs to be cleaned, too.
Think of it this way: the grime on dirty clothing doesn’t just disappear in the washing machine. It has to go somewhere! Without proper maintenance, it can get trapped in your machine, coming back into contact with your clothes on every wash.
Ready to learn how to clean your washing machine? Here’s a guide to cleaning both top-load and front-load washers, plus extra tips for ongoing machine cleanliness.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
How to clean a front-load washer
If you own a front-load washer, you’re in luck – they’re easier to clean! Simply follow these steps:
Remove the detergent dispenser and clean it in your kitchen sink using standard dish soap and water or a white vinegar soak.
Mix ¾ cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water. Using gloves and a rag or sponge, wipe the inside of the drum with your solution. Be sure to reach all sides of the spokes.
If your machine has a cleaning cycle, run it using chlorine bleach OR white vinegar as the cleaning solution (but don’t combine them!). If you can’t find a specific cleaning cycle, choose the longest and warmest one available.
And that’s it! For particularly smelly washers, sprinkle baking soda inside the drum, then run a second cycle with white vinegar in the detergent compartment.
How to clean a top-load washer
Top-loaders are slightly tougher to clean due to their shape, but you can still give it a good refresh. Here’s how:
After removing everything from the drum, select hot water with the largest, longest load setting available.
Allow the drum to fill with water, then pause the cycle before it starts agitating.
Add one cup of chlorine bleach directly to the washer drum, then allow the cycle to finish completely.
Remove and clean the detergent dispenser using dish soap or a white vinegar soak.
Repeat steps 1 and 2, this time adding 2 cups of white vinegar directly to the drum instead of bleach. Again, allow the cycle to finish completely.
How to clean your washing machine filter
For a more thorough job, you can also remove and clean the washing machine filter. If you don’t have your instruction manual, look up a tutorial for removing it from your specific model!
Once it’s free, soak it in a basin of hot water and 1 tsp of dish soap for about ten minutes. Then use a toothbrush to remove any remaining residue.
Tips for keeping your machine clean between washes
For lasting washing machine freshness, remember to:
Keep the door ajar between uses
Use a garment bag for small items to avoid clogging
There’s an even easier way to ensure you’re using clean, high-performance machines with every wash: visiting your local laundromat in Thornton! We handle all maintenance and cleaning, so you only have to worry about the laundry part.
To learn more, search WaveMAX laundry near me or visit our website.
