How to Clean a Washing Machine (Front and Top Load)
When I first noticed my towels smelling musty right after I took them out of the wash, I thought I should just get new towels. Then I opened the machine, and the problem was the machine itself. If clean clothes don't smell clean, this is most likely the reason why.
Detergent scum, fabric softener, and moisture get trapped in your washing machine and mildew starts to grow. One effective way to eliminate this is to use grandma's trick of vinegar and baking soda and about an hour of mostly hands-off time.
To clean your washing machine, take the largest and hottest cycle and run it with two cups of white vinegar. Don't put in any clothes or detergent. Then, run it a second time with half a cup of baking soda. In between loads, wipe the gasket, clean the detergent drawer, and leave the door open. Do this every month.
Why your washing machine smells
Mildew loves moisture and darkness, so closed, damp washing machine drums are the perfect breeding ground. Each load creates a few problems. Liquid detergent and fabric softener leaves a film on the drum and hoses that trap body oils and dirt. In front-loaders, water is held in the rubber door gasket, so it’s an ideal scenario for mildew to grow.
A clean machine washes better. If you've been adding more detergent hoping to fix dingy laundry, you're probably just creating more buildup.
What you’ll need
- White vinegar (2 cups)
- Baking soda (about half a cup)
- A microfiber cloth
- An old toothbrush
How to clean a front-load washing machine
Step 1: Wipe the door gasket
Use a cloth soaked in vinegar to clean the folds of the rubber gasket located at the door. This area often harbours the source of the musty odour, including stagnant water, lint, or even a sock. Use the toothbrush to clean the grooves.
Step 2: Clean the detergent drawer
Most drawers have a release tab that lets you pop the drawer out. To clean it, soak the drawer in hot water with a splash of vinegar. While it soaks, scrub dry and reinsert the softener compartment, which is usually the dirtiest.
Step 3: Run a hot vinegar cycle
Empty the washer and use the longest/hottest setting on the machine. If the machine has a sanitize/tub-clean cycle, use that. Pour 2 cups of vinegar directly into the washer drum.
Step 4: Follow with baking soda
Baking soda is an effective odor absorber. To use it, sprinkle [ frac{1}{2} ] cup baking soda in the washing machine drum. Then, start another hot washing cycle. The baking soda will remove debris that the vinegar has loosened. Plus, the baking soda will absorb any remaining odors.
Step 5: Check the drain pump filter
Most front loads have a small filter door that is located near the bottom of the machine. Place a towel down, open the door slowly (water will come out), and clean the trap. This one step resolves more drainage complaints than anything else.
How to clean a top-load washing machine
Top-loading washing machines are more straightforward. To clean it, fill the tub with the highest load setting and hottest water setting, add 2 cups of white vinegar, and let it agitate for a minute. After that, pause the wash so it can soak for an hour before finishing that cycle. After that, do a second hot cycle with 1/2 cup of baking soda and clean the rim and lid where all the residue collects.
The habit that keeps it clean
For the next load, leave the door or lid open. Mildew can't grow in a dry drum, plain and simple. If you have a front loader, make sure to dry the door seal after the last load for the day. This is the reason that some machines have a bad odor and some don't.
While you are cleaning, remember your dishwasher can collect buildup too. The fix is just as cheap. Here's how to clean a dishwasher.
What not to do
Never combine bleach and vinegar — this combination can produce gases so toxic they can cause permanent damage to your lungs. If you want to use bleach, do a separate cycle for sanitizing with a rinse in between. Also, do not use a fabric softener as it is one of the biggest contributors to the buildup you are now cleaning. White vinegar will soften fabrics and do the job without the residue.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Monthly is ideal for the complete routine. If you're doing daily loads, wipe the gasket weekly.
Do I need washing machine cleaner tablets?
They're basic functions of vinegar and baking soda and work on the same principles. If your machine has years of built up gunk, prep it with a tablet first then continue to deep clean your machine using the cheaper products.
My towels still smell musty after washing. Why?
If the machine is clean, the towels have detergent buildup. Wash them by themselves on hot with one cup of white vinegar, and do not use any detergent. The vinegar will strip the residues that trap odors.
