How to Clean Your Washing Machine Without the Hassle

How to Clean a Top-Load Washer

To clean a standard top-load clothes washer, ensure there is no laundry inside and no detergent or fabric softener in any dispenser. Do not add any detergent to the washer during this process.

1. Fill the Washer With Hot Water

   Fill the washer drum with water, stopping it before it agitates. Use the hottest temperature setting on your machine.

2. Add Chlorine Bleach

   Add 1 quart of chlorine bleach to the hot water, but no detergent.

3. Run a Complete Wash and Spin Cycle

   Allow the washer to run through its longest wash and spin cycle so that it goes through a complete rinse and drain. Make sure the bleach is completely removed before the next step.

4. Fill Again With Hot Water

   Use the washer settings to fill the drum of the washer with hot water, stopping it before it agitates.

5. Add Vinegar and Run Another Cycle

   Add one quart of distilled white vinegar. Run the longest wash and spin cycle again and allow the washer to rinse and drain.

How to Clean a Front-Load Washer

Front-load washers need a different cleaning technique because they harbor soil and can develop bad odors from mold due to trapped moisture.

1. Add Chlorine Bleach to the Dispensers

   Add 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach to the detergent compartment of the dispenser drawer. Next, fill the bleach dispenser compartment with chlorine bleach to the highest level.

2. Run a Normal Cycle

   Set the washer to the normal cycle setting with warm water and allow the machine to run a complete cycle.

3. Wipe Seals and Door

   When the cycle is complete, use a soft, absorbent cloth to dry around the washer door opening, flexible gasket, and door glass. This will help ensure any mold residue (which would be killed by the bleach) is removed.

How to Clean Washer Dispensers

Built-in dispensers for detergent, fabric softener, and bleach need to be cleaned often so they dispense accurately. Too much detergent causes overflowing suds; too much fabric softener can leave blue or greasy-looking spots on clothing and bleach can ruin colored clothing.

• Heat 1 cup of white vinegar in the microwave or a small saucepan.
• Pour the heated vinegar into the dispenser and allow it to sit for a few minutes to loosen any buildup. If heavy residue is still visible, use a bottlebrush to loosen it.
• Run the machine using a normal cycle. The vinegar and laundry product residue will be dispensed into the wash water and flushed away.
  

How Often to Clean a Washing Machine

A standard top-load washer should be cleaned at least twice per year. If you live in a hard water area, clean it every three months to prevent mineral deposits.

High-efficiency top-load washers and front-load washers should be cleaned more often—usually every month. Clean more often if you wash exceptionally heavily soiled clothes or live in a hot, humid area where mold is more of a problem.

In addition to cleaning the washer drum, each dispenser should be cleaned every four to six weeks to keep it working well.

Tips to Keep Your Clothes Washer Clean Longer

• Open the lid: Leave the lid of a top-load washer open each load to allow the drum and seals to dry out and lessen the risk of mold and mildew growth.
• Wipe the drum: After washing heavily soiled clothing, wipe the drum with a nonabrasive household cleaner and rinse thoroughly or run a cleaning cycle.
• Check for rust: Little brown spots on your laundry may be rust from the washer. Use a flashlight to check your washer basket carefully for chips in the finish. You can either replace the washer basket (which is expensive) or get a kit to repair and repaint the porcelain coating.
• Keep the top clear: Never store or place laundry products on top of the washer at any time. Spills can damage the finish or electronic controls.
• Run cleaning cycles: Every month or so, use the machine's built-in cleaning cycle or run an empty washer with the hottest water setting.
• Use the right amount of detergent: Always use the amount recommended on the detergent container for each wash load to prevent residue build-up.