When’s the last time you cleaned your washing machine?
Your washing machine cleans your clothes, so it doesn’t need cleaning itself, right?
Wrong.
Your washing machine needs regular cleaning just like all your other home appliances. Over time, the inside of your washing machine can become covered in a film of detergent. If the washing machine isn’t cleaned properly, there’s also a chance of mold and mildew growth.
Do you know how to clean a top load washer?
If you’re not sure where to begin when cleaning your top load washer, then we have you covered. You’ll find all the information you need to know about how to clean a washer in the guide below. Continue reading to find out more!
1. Scrub Clean the Inside and Outside
Scrubbing both the inside and outside of your washing machine can help tremendously with its cleanliness. To get a thorough clean, you can mix a quart of hot water with 1/4 a cup of vinegar.
You can then take a sponge and clean the entire washing machine. Don’t forget to grab an old toothbrush for cleaning purposes too. Check all pull-out dispensers for detergent, bleach, fabric softener, and more.
Clean these well with a toothbrush. If you can remove them from the unit, do so to ensure a better clean. Make sure to pay close attention to the inside of the door as well.
Detergent build-up can form in all those small cracks and behind seals, so check those areas well.
2. Run a Cycle on Hot Water Without Detergent
Running a cycle of hot water and no detergent can also help clean out your washing machine. Check with the manufacturer for your machine to determine if you can use white vinegar in the cycle.
If allowed, white vinegar is a great addition to a hot cycle with no detergent. It’ll help deodorize the machine and kill bacteria. You can then run a second cycle with baking soda and hot water only.
The baking soda will loosen any build-up of products in the machine. Once the cycle ends, take a soft cloth and gently wipe down the inside of the machine.
3. Clean the Rubber Seals and Filter
The rubber seals in your washing machine are at risk of growing mold and deteriorating if not cleaned and dried properly. Although you won’t need to scrub them with a toothbrush after every load, it’s ideal to wipe them down after each load.
Wiping them down will keep them dry and prevent mold and deterioration.
Many washing machines have lint traps as well. The lint traps in washing machines can become clogged over time. If your washing machine has one of these traps or a filter, then you should clean it on a regular basis.
The filter is normally located under the drum door. This is right above your floor. Read through the instructions for your washer to determine how to remove the filter and clean it properly.
Each washing machine differs so you’ll need to know the proper steps to take for your specific washing machine’s year and model. Before you remove it and clean it, however, be sure to place a bowl under your washer to catch any leaks.
4. Use Bleach as a Cleaning Agent
You can also use bleach as a cleaning agent in your washing machine if advised by the manufacturer. To clean it with bleach, you can add about 1/2 a cup into the washer’s drum.
You can place another 1/2 a cup into the detergent drawer. You’ll then want to run the washing machine on a hot cycle without anything in it but the beach. Allow the washer to fill up with water and sit for about an hour before running the cycle.
Once the cycle’s completed, run a rinse cycle to ensure all the bleach is removed. After the rinse cycle has ended, be sure to wipe down the inside of the machine to remove any leftover bleach.
When you do your next load of laundry, be sure to do a load of all-whites first. This will prevent any remaining bleach from causing damage to clothes.
5. Leave the Top Open When Not in Use
After running a cycle in your washing machine, you unload your clothes, and then what’s your next step?
Do you place the clothes in the dryer and shut the washer’s lid?
If so, you’ll want to get out of the habit of doing so. Shutting the lid directly after a wash cycle can trap moisture in your washing machine. If you’ve noticed a musty odor inside your washer, this could be the reason why.
Instead of shutting the lid, consider keeping it open. This allows the moisture inside the machine to air dry. Once it’s been left open for a few hours, you can then shut the lid if desired.
Do You Know How to Clean a Top Load Washer?
After reading through this guide, we hope you now know how to clean a top load washer properly. There are a few different steps to take to get it cleaned well. There are also several different cleaning methods to choose from.
Be sure to use the advice listed here in this guide to get you started.
Do you still need up cleaning the laundry room and doing the laundry?
If more help is needed, don’t panic. The professionals at Hubbard’s Maid Service are here to help. We have all the best cleaning tools and products to ensure proper cleaning.
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