How To Deep Clean Your Washing Machine

Washing machine cleaning tablets don’t reach all the areas where mold and mildew grow. Use household ingredients to finish deep cleaning your machine.

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Doesn’t it seem like a machine regularly filled with soapy water ought to clean itself in the process? Unfortunately, washing machines are not self-cleaning, especially if you only launder with cold water, as many people opt for these days. If not maintained properly, your washer will develop mold, mildew, and bacteria that can cause it to smell and keep it from properly cleaning your clothes.

How Often Do Washers Need Deep-Cleaning?

In most households, you should deep clean your washer once a month. There are situations where you may need to do it more often, such as when you find a dirt ring at the top of the drum or around the door gasket or any time you wash a load of oil-stained or greasy work clothes. In humid environments or homes without air-conditioning, you may find your washer starts to smell of mildew more often. You can prolong the time between deep cleaning by using washing machine cleaner tablets, but you’ll still need to clean the gaskets and lid every month.

Equipment and Materials You’ll Need

• Microfiber cloths
• Old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush
• Bucket or deep bowl
• Towels
• Distilled white vinegar
• All-purpose cleaning spray
• Baking soda

Step 1: Clean the Gasket

Combine 1 cup of hot water and 1 cup of white vinegar in the bucket. Dip a microfiber cloth into this mixture and scrub the hard rubber gasket at the top of the tub barrel. Once you’ve removed all the buildup, wipe it with a fresh cloth dampened with plain water. Never use straight vinegar to clean the gasket, or you may damage it.

Step 2: Clean the Dispensers

If your bleach and fabric softener dispensers are removable, take them out and wash them in a sink of hot, soapy water. Use an old toothbrush to clean any grime in the corners. Rinse and then let them air dry. While they dry, clean the area where the dispensers ordinarily go using a damp microfiber cloth. Once the dispensers are dry, reinstall them in the machine.

Step 3: Clean the Washer Tub and Lid

Run the wash cycle on the hottest water setting using the highest water level. Add 2 cups of white vinegar as the tub fills, but do not add detergent or any other laundry product. Once the cycle finishes, open the lid and clean it with an all-purpose cleaner.

Step 4: Clean the Agitator

If your top-loading washer has a central agitator, remove it and wipe it inside and out using all-purpose spray and a microfiber cloth. Use scissors to carefully snip away any tangled threads or hair you find stuck on the agitator, then put it back in place.

Step 5: Rinse

Steps 3 and 4 loosened hidden grime. To finish deep cleaning and deodorizing your top-loading washer, pour 1 cup of baking soda (bicarbonate) into the tub with two towels, then run a cold water wash/rinse cycle with the highest water setting. The towels will scrub any hidden grime we’ve loosened, while the baking soda will neutralize any remaining vinegar and finish deodorizing your washer.

After cleaning your washing machine, inspect your washing machine’s hoses. Replace them every three years or immediately if you see signs of wear.

Equipment and Materials You’ll Need

• Lint-free cleaning cloths
• Old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush
• Bucket
• Several towels
• Distilled white vinegar
• All-purpose cleaning spray
• Baking soda

Step 1. Clean the Gasket

Place a thick, folded towel on the floor in front of your machine to protect it from moisture. Add another for your knees if you like. Spray the rubber gasket inside the door with all-purpose cleaner and wipe it with a fresh cloth. Using your fingers, gently expand the gasket and repeat inside the ridges.

Step 2. Disinfect

In the bucket, combine 2 quarts of hot water and 1 cup of white vinegar. Dip a cloth into this mixture and wipe the gasket and grooves, saturating them well. Let this mixture sit in place for several minutes while you proceed with the next step. Never use undiluted vinegar or bleach on the gasket in your machine’s door or you may damage the rubber seal.

Step 3. Clean the Dispensers

Remove the soap and fabric softener dispensers and wash them in a sink with hot water. Use the scrub brush to loosen any soap scum. Rinse the dispensers well and let them air dry. Dip a clean cloth into the vinegar water and wipe the area where the soap and fabric softener dispensers usually go. Put the dispenser containers back once they’re dry.

Step 4. Sanitize Your Front-Loading Washer

Fill the clean, empty detergent dispenser with white vinegar. Do not add additional detergent, bleach, or fabric softener at this time. Run the machine using the hottest setting (usually “sanitize”) or the self-cleaning cycle if it has one.

Step 5. Clean the Exterior

While the machine runs, clean the outside with all-purpose cleaner and fresh microfiber cloths. At this point, you can pick up the towels on the floor and empty the contents of the bucket.

Step 6. Dry the Gaskets

The previous step may have loosened hidden grime, so finish deep-cleaning your front-load washer by drying the interior of the machine with a clean towel. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the gasket, including between the folds.

Use the Correct Detergent

If you prefer washing in cold water, choose a detergent specifically designed for cold temps since it won’t leave an odor-causing residue in your machine. High-efficiency (HE) washing machines also need special detergents that are designed for use with less water. Using a standard detergent in an HE machine leads to residue and buildup in your machine and also on your clothes.

Use the Right Amount of Detergent

If you’re not using a laundry pod, you’re more able to adjust the amount of detergent you use. Clothes that aren’t too dirty don’t need a lot of detergent, so use less to avoid leaving residue. Heavily soiled loads, like gardening clothes or stinky sports uniforms, need the full amount indicated on the detergent’s instructions. If you do use pods, you’ll find the manufacturer’s instructions often recommend using more than one pod for such loads.

Stop Using Liquid Fabric Softener

Liquid fabric softeners work by coating clothes with a petroleum-based surfactant. They’re designed to leave a light coating on fabrics. If you use cold water, it’s like trying to wash a greasy dish in a sink of cold water — it’s just not going to get clean. If you’re concerned about static cling, use vinegar in the rinse cycle. (The smell will disappear when your clothes dry.)

Let it Air

After use, leave your washing machine door or lid open for at least an hour so the inside has a chance to dry completely. In homes with curious children or pets, try a magnetic washing machine door hook to hold the door open only wide enough for air.