How to clean a washing machine – No extra products needed!

If you’re Googling “How to clean a washing machine”, chances are your machine is, either very dirty, or your clothes smell bad after you wash them. 

Any way you go around it, it’s bad. You need to make sure your washing machine is in top condition, especially since you use it multiple times a week. And you want to keep using it many more times from now on. 

You might think that cleaning your washing machine is hard or complicated, but it’s really not. All you need is a cleaning cloth, or disinfectant wipes, maybe a small brush, and some vinegar. No need to buy extra products! It’s as simple as that. 

Below I’ll tell you how to clean a washing machine, but first let’s see why you should do it:

WHY YOU SHOULD CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE RIGHT NOW

No matter how much you use it, or what detergent you use, the machine will likely accumulate dirt and grim over time. It usually gets stuck behind the crevices, and because of it, bacteria, mold and mildew start to grow. And that’s a big no-no for you and your family’s well being. 

There is also the build up of water deposits from your water and your laundry detergent. That can make your washing machine wear out faster, because it has to work harder. 

Either way, you have to know and consider the fact that washing machines need to be cleaned at least once a year, if not more. Below you’ll find out how to clean a washing machine. 

HOW TO CLEAN A WASHING MACHINE

First thing you need to do is to CLEAN THE EXTERIOR. 

• Take a wet cleaning cloth and start wiping down the door of the washer. 
• Next, scrub and wipe the inside of the washer seal, ideally with a small brush (an old toothbrush will work fine). This will help get rid of the sludge and gunk you will, most likely, find on the door and between the seal and the washer. 
• Use a small brush to clean the rubber seal. TIP: Pull back the washer rubber seal and clean there, too, you will be surprised what you can find there.  

Second area you need to focus on is the DETERGENT DISPENSER. Open it and wipe it down with a wet, warm cleaning cloth, and some vinegar. There is usually some build up there, too.

Finally, and most importantly, CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE WASHING MACHINE.

To do that, you need to do a wash cycle with vinegar. Add 2 cups of white vinegar in the interior compartment, then run a normal cycle.

If you want to clean a top loader washing machine, then fill it up with hot water and add 1 quart of white vinegar. Let it soak for another hour, then run a normal washing cycle.

After the cycle is done, use your cleaning cloth again, with a bit of vinegar, to scrub away any gunk around the detergent and fabric softener dispensers, and the door. 

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR MAINTAINING A CLEAN WASHING MACHINE

TIP 1 – Keep the door of the washing machine open after a cycle. This helps prevent bacteria growth, because after a cycle, the interior is damp, and can create nasty stuff. 

TIP 2 – Remove laundry from the machine as soon as the cycle is done. This will help prevent bad smells. It will also decrease dampness, so no more grounds for bacteria growth.  Check out this link for more Laundry Hacks!

CONCLUSION

This is how to clean a washing machine. Start from the exterior and work yourself inside the actual machine. No extra products needed, just water, a cloth and vinegar.