If you’ve ever wondered why your washing
machine smelled funny or if you should be cleaning it, you need to
clean it. If you haven’t ever wondered about cleaning this hard-working
appliance, you still need to clean it. Add this simple step to your
laundry process and you’ll have fresh smelling laundry AND an odor-less
washing machine.
You can clean a top loading or front
loading machine with white vinegar or bleach. My preference is to use
either white vinegar OR non-chlorinated bleach because they are safe,
all-natural solutions, but some washing machine manufacturers recommend
only using chlorinated bleach. Most importantly, follow the
instructions for your specific machine or try one of these natural
methods.
Top Load
Cleaning your top loading washing
machine is simple, all you really need is white vinegar and some
cleaning cloths. Worried that your laundry room will smell like a
pickle? Once the rinse cycle runs you won’t smell the vinegar.
- Start by setting your washer to its hottest temperature, highest capacity and longest cycle.
- Add four cups of white vinegar to the hot water, close the lid and allow it to agitate for several minutes.
- Open the lid or pause/stop the machine and allow it to sit for an hour so that the vinegar can do its job to get rid of the bacteria, mold and mildew and the hoses of your machine.
After you have run a complete cycle with
the vinegar solution, you can repeat the process if your washing
machine is extra dirty. The vinegar does a great job of removing any
buildup, not to mention softening any soap scum and other residue that
may be in the washer and hoses. Let your machine agitate the solution
for several minutes and open the lid.
While you allow this solution to sit for
an hour, it’s time to tackle the exterior of the washer as well as the
fabric softener and bleach reservoirs. Using a cleaning rag or
microfiber cloth, dip it in the vinegar solution and wring it out. Wipe
down the exterior, lid and control panel, taking care to not get it too
wet. Remove the bleach reservoir and wipe down around the area where
scum and dirt tends to collect. Rinse your cloth and remove the
softener reservoir from the machine and wipe the exterior and interior
of it as well. Close the lid and allow the washer to complete its
cycle.
Front load washing machines are
relatively new on the home appliance market and have quickly gained
popularity for their efficiency and cleaning abilities. Despite all the
benefits they have to offer, there is one common complaint that seems to
plague owners: stinky laundry. Wiping down the interior of the washer
with cleaner, using extra detergent or running everything on the
longest, hottest cycle does nothing to help dissipate the scent.
However, one simple cleaning task will not only eliminate the issue, it
will keep your washer in tip-top condition.
HE washing machines use less water and
less energy which in turn can result in more mildew, mold, detergent
residue and buildup in your washer. Some washers have a separate
cleaning cycle as an option – I have that on my washing machine and run
that cycle after I wash cleaning rags every week. I’m pretty sure that
that is the secret to a non-smelly HE washing machine.
The best way to clean your front loading washer is simple:
- Select the hot water setting. If your machine does not have a hot water setting, then select a “white” or a “stain” cycle setting.
- Select the “extra rinse” option if your washer has that choice.
- Add ¾ cup of white vinegar OR ¾ cup non-chlorinated bleach (not both!) to the bleach dispenser or fill to its max level.
- Allow the cycle to run until it has completed.
- To ensure that no vinegar remains in your washer, manually select an additional rinse cycle if your washer does not have a 2nd rinse cycle selection.
After you have finished washing the
interior of the washer, take a couple minutes to clean the bleach and
fabric softener dispensers. These can be easily cleaned by simply
removing and washing in warm, soapy water to remove any residue or by
wiping them down with white vinegar on a cleaning cloth. Rinse and dry
them thoroughly before reinserting them.
Make sure you wipe down the rubber seal
on the door as it is a perfect hiding spot for mold and mildew.
Carefully pull back the rubber gasket and inspect to see if you have
mold, mildew or socks (as is the case with mine). Carefully wipe down
the area with white vinegar and a soft, white cleaning cloth. Rinse
with a cloth dampened with water and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth
to prevent any moisture build-up.
After cleaning these three zones, you
can wipe down the exterior and control panel with a gentle all-purpose
cleaning spray to remove any dust and dirt buildup. Maintaining a clean
washer and eliminating the stinky laundry issue is simple.
My number one maintenance tip? Be sure
to leave the door open to prevent moisture build-up in between loads and
clean it inside and out every month.
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