How to Clean Washing Machine l 3 Effective Ways

Have you ever noticed that your washing machine smells less like a laundry cleaner? Does it smell like a soggy, moldy bucket of towels? You haven’t done anything wrong. It just means that your washing machine needs a good washing.

In this article, we’ll teach how to clean a washing machine and make it look and smell clean and fresh. Watch our video to learn more.

What you’ll need

Here are some items that will make cleaning your washing machine an easy job:

➡️ Bleach
➡️ Affresh washing machine tablets
➡️ Household cleaning gloves

How to clean washing machine

The first thing to do is general cleaning of everything visibly dirty. There might be hidden dirt around the drum and the agitator. You don’t always realize how dirty things can get until you start looking.

We’ve tried several methods to eliminate buildup with the combination of dirt, liquid detergent, and dried liquid fabric softener. But the best and fastest way to clean was using a steam cleaner. The work went so much faster with it. We highly recommend getting one because it makes so many jobs easier when it comes to cleaning.

Click the link to watch more Steam Cleaning videos and reviews.

We recommend that you clean your washing machine every three months. The buildup of mildew, dust, dirt, and soap deposits can be harmful to your clothing and your health as well. It also causes your washing machine to stink.

If you have a front loader, you must clean the rubber gasket around the door because remains wet after loads. And it will be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Wipe it out with a clean microfiber cloth every time you use it to prevent mildew buildup.

Also, clean your dispenser drawer. Pull it out and clean it with vinegar. Use a toothbrush to get into those tight spaces.

Once there is no more visible dirt and buildup, we need to do a deeper cleaning and disinfecting. This involves removing and killing all the bacteria, molds, and also any unseen dirt. Here are three options on how to deep clean your washing machine:

Option 1: Use Affresh washing machine cleaning tablets.

It is the easiest and most effective hack for cleaning your washing machine. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s a slow-dissolve, foaming tablet that gets under residue, breaks it up, and then washes it away. It is so convenient and does a fantastic job cleaning your washing machine.

I use this once every three months to keep my washing machine clean and prevent mildew build-up and smell. Affresh works with both top and front-loading washing machines. Place one tablet in the washing tub, not the soap dispenser. Run your washing machine on a normal cycle on hot. When it’s done, if any residue is visible, wipe it off.

It’s a small investment considering everything you put on yourself, and your family comes out of the washing machine.

Option 2: Vinegar and baking soda, but not at the same time.

First, add 2 cups of white cleaning vinegar. Run it through a complete cycle on the highest level and the hottest water possible. Then run a second load with ½ cup baking soda. Again, on the highest water temperature available.

Option 3: Bleach

Run a load with hot water and 1 cup of bleach. Run it on hot for the longest cycle possible. It helps sanitize and deodorize your washing machine.

Once you’re done with laundry for the day, wipe down the inside of your washer. This dries off any excess water. Mildew loves dark, damp places so keeping your washer dry is key for prevention.

Also, always leave your washing machine door open when it’s not in use. If you close the door, you have trapped any moisture inside. The dark environment will invite mildew to come in and make a new home.

Finally, be sure to use the right amount of laundry detergent. Just use the recommended amount, depending on your load. More is not necessarily more.

Tried using a steam cleaner? Read our Dupray Tosca Steam Cleaner Review.