Your washing machine works hard to keep your clothes clean, but over time, it can accumulate detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, dirt, mineral deposits from water, and even mold and mildew. This buildup can lead to unpleasant odors, leave residue on your clothes, and reduce the efficiency and lifespan of your appliance. Regularly cleaning your washing machine is essential for fresh laundry and a well-functioning machine. Asubra Cleaning provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to effectively clean your washing machine, ensuring it stays in top condition.
Why is washing machine cleaning important?
Beyond just making your laundry smell fresh, a clean washing machine offers several key benefits.
- Eliminates Odors: The primary reason for a smelly washing machine is the buildup of mold, mildew, and bacteria, especially in warm, damp environments like the gasket of a front-loader. Regular cleaning eradicates these odor-causing culprits.
- Prevents Residue on Clothes: Detergent and fabric softener can accumulate in the machine’s drum and dispenser. This residue can transfer to your “clean” clothes, leaving streaks, white marks, or even a musty smell.
- Improves Washing Efficiency: A build-up of mineral deposits (hard water) and grime can affect how well your machine operates, potentially impacting water flow and drainage, leading to less effective cleaning cycles.
- Extends Appliance Lifespan: Regular maintenance, including cleaning, helps prevent clogs and wear and tear on internal components, potentially extending the life of your washing machine and saving you money on repairs or early replacement.
- Ensures Hygiene: A clean machine means truly clean clothes, free from unseen bacteria and allergens that might otherwise be transferred from the machine itself.
Cleaning front-load vs. Top-load machines
While both types of machines need regular cleaning, their designs require different areas of focus.
Front-load: Gasket and dispenser cleaning
Front-load washing machines are known for their efficiency but are also notorious for mold and mildew buildup in specific areas.
- The Gasket (Door Seal): This rubber seal around the door is a prime spot for trapped moisture, lint, hair, and soap scum, leading to mold and strong odors.
- Weekly Wipe-Down: After every wash, pull back the folds of the gasket and wipe away any moisture, lint, and debris with a clean cloth. Leave the door ajar to allow it to air dry completely.
- Monthly Deep Clean: For persistent mold, mix 1 part bleach with 1 part water (or use a dedicated mold cleaner). Dip a cloth in the solution and thoroughly wipe down the entire gasket, paying attention to all crevices. For stubborn mold, you might use an old toothbrush. Let the solution sit for 5-10 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
- The Detergent Dispenser: This area accumulates sticky residue.
- Remove (if possible): Many dispensers are removable. Take it out and rinse it under hot water to remove all detergent and softener residue. Use an old toothbrush or a small brush to scrub away any hardened buildup.
- Clean Housing: If not removable, wipe down the inside of the dispenser housing with a damp cloth and a small brush.
- Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before reinserting.
- Drum Cleaning Cycle: Most front-loaders have a “Tub Clean,” “Sanitize,” or “Self-Clean” cycle. Run this regularly (monthly) with a washer cleaner tablet, white vinegar, or bleach as directed below.
Top-load: Drum and filter maintenance
Top-load machines are generally less prone to gasket mold, but their drums and filters can still accumulate grime and mineral deposits.
- The Drum:
- Empty Washer: Ensure the machine is empty.
- Hot Water Fill: Set the machine to its hottest water setting and largest load size.
- Add Cleaner:
- Vinegar Method: Add 4 cups of white vinegar directly to the drum.
- Bleach Method: Add 4 cups of bleach directly to the drum.
- Commercial Cleaner: Follow instructions for a washer cleaner tablet or liquid.
- Run Half Cycle: Start the wash cycle and let it agitate for a few minutes to mix the cleaner.
- Soak: Pause the cycle and let the water and cleaner sit and soak for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour (or longer for very dirty machines).
- Complete Cycle: Resume the cycle and let it finish.
- Wipe Down: Once complete, use a clean cloth to wipe down the inside of the drum, especially the top ring and any accessible parts.
- Detergent Dispenser (if applicable): Wipe down or remove and clean as with front-load machines.
- Filter/Lint Trap: Some older top-loaders have a removable lint trap or filter. Consult your machine’s manual to locate and clean it regularly. If clogged, it can impede drainage and washing efficiency.
- Agitator (if applicable): Wipe down the agitator with a damp cloth. Some agitators can be removed for deeper cleaning underneath.
Natural cleaners & commercial solutions
You have options for what to use inside your machine for a deep clean.
- White Vinegar: An excellent natural cleaner and deodorizer. It helps dissolve mineral buildup (hard water) and soap scum.
- How to Use: Add 2-4 cups directly to the detergent dispenser or drum for a hot, empty cycle. For extra cleaning, pause the cycle midway for a soak.
- Baking Soda: Works as a natural deodorizer and can help with light scrubbing.
- How to Use: Add 1/2 cup to the detergent dispenser along with vinegar, or use it as a paste to scrub specific areas.
- Chlorine Bleach: A powerful disinfectant and mold killer.
- How to Use: Add 2-4 cups directly to the drum for a hot, empty cycle. Never mix bleach with vinegar or any other cleaners, as it can create dangerous toxic fumes.
- Commercial Washing Machine Cleaners: Brands like Affresh, Tide Washing Machine Cleaner, or OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner are specifically designed to clean and deodorize. They often come in tablet or liquid form.
- How to Use: Follow product instructions carefully. They typically involve adding the cleaner to the dispenser or drum and running a dedicated cleaning cycle.
Deep-clean routine: Weekly, monthly, quarterly
Establishing a regular cleaning schedule keeps your machine performing its best.
- Weekly:
- After Every Use: Wipe down the door and gasket (front-loaders). Leave the door ajar to allow the drum to air dry.
- Wipe Down Exterior: Quickly wipe down the exterior of the machine.
- Monthly:
- Run a Cleaning Cycle: Perform a full cleaning cycle using white vinegar, bleach, or a commercial washing machine cleaner.
- Deep Clean Gasket (Front-Load): Thoroughly clean the gasket and dispenser, scrubbing away any visible buildup.
- Clean Dispensers: Remove and clean all detergent and fabric softener dispensers.
- Quarterly (Every 3-4 Months):
- Aggressive Cleaning Cycle: Run a more aggressive cleaning cycle (e.g., using both vinegar and baking soda in separate steps, or a stronger commercial cleaner).
- Check Filters/Traps: Consult your manual to locate and clean any lint filters, drain pump filters (often behind a small panel at the bottom of the machine), or coin traps. These can become clogged and cause slow draining or odors.
- Wipe Down All Accessible Areas: Pay attention to the top of the machine, under the lid (top-loaders), and behind the machine if accessible.
Troubleshooting common issues (odor, mold, drain slowdown)
Knowing how to address common problems can save you a service call.
- Persistent Odor:
- Cause: Almost always due to mold and mildew buildup, particularly in front-loader gaskets or neglected top-loader drums.
- Solution: Run a hot cleaning cycle with bleach or a strong commercial cleaner. Follow with a second hot cycle with vinegar (never mix them!). Meticulously clean the gasket and dispenser. Ensure machine airs out after every use. Consider using high-efficiency (HE) detergent if you’re not already, as it produces less suds that can leave residue.
- Visible Mold (Black Spots):
- Cause: High moisture, lack of air circulation, detergent residue.
- Solution: For severe mold on the gasket, use a bleach-water solution (1:1) and an old toothbrush to scrub. Let it sit, then wipe clean. You might need multiple applications. For mold inside the drum, run multiple hot cycles with bleach.
- Drain Slowdown or Standing Water:
- Cause: Clogged drain pump filter, lint trap, or drain hose.
- Solution:
- Check Manual: Consult your washing machine’s manual to locate the drain pump filter/coin trap (often behind a small panel at the bottom front of front-loaders or sometimes at the back for top-loaders).
- Prepare for Water: Place towels and a shallow pan underneath, as water will likely come out.
- Clean Filter: Carefully unscrew and remove the filter, clearing out any lint, hair, coins, or debris. Rinse it thoroughly.
- Check Drain Hose: Ensure the drain hose at the back of the machine is not kinked or clogged.
- If problem persists: It might indicate a more serious pump issue requiring professional repair.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your washing machine will ensure your clothes come out truly clean and fresh, and your appliance operates efficiently for years to come.
Does your home need a thorough clean, beyond just your appliances? Asubra Cleaning offers comprehensive residential cleaning services, ensuring every corner of your home, including your appliances, sparkles. Contact us today for a free estimate and experience the difference professional cleaning can make!
