Washing machines are one of life’s greatest inventions in my book (imagine washing clothes by hand with a wooden scrub board with buckets of steaming water - yuck), and yes, they need routine maintenance - washing machines need to be washed too. Dirt, residue, build up and even mold or mildew can accumulate over time in your washing machine if left unmaintained- but fear not, periodic cleaning of this key appliance is all it takes to keep it running in top form and sparkling.
How to clean your washing machine:
1) Run a hot water cycle (empty - no clothes) with two cups of white vinegar (hello old cleaning friend).
Article continues below...
2) Clean the fabric softener receptacle, bleach dispenser, and inside rim and top of washer lid with some diluted vinegar - use q tips or an old toothbrush to really get in the corners. After the summer beach season is a really good time to do this to get rid of sand you don’t even realize accumulates in different parts of the washer.
3) Run an empty hot cycle again - no vinegar this time.
4) Polish/clean the inside of the washer and all over the outside with a soft towel and diluted vinegar.
5) Repeat at least twice each year.
09.02.10 @ 11:00 am
Diluted vinegar….how many parts vinegar to water?
09.02.10 @ 5:16 pm
In response to Breeze’s question - you don’t need to dilute the vinegar. Just run the 2 cups mentioned in your standard/normal size wash load cycle (it will combine with the water in the wash cycle).
09.03.10 @ 6:45 am
The switch on my washer needed to be replaced and when the Tech came out, the first thing he wanted to know if I ever used my washer and dryer and of course I said “yes” 2-3 times a week. He said my units were the cleanest he had ever seen and your instruction is what I have done for 60 years. I also take the dispenser out where you pour the softener and soak it in hot vinegar water, in the sink, for about 1-2 hrs to get the gunk out. This a monthly chore like changing my AC filter monthly or bi-monthly. I also take the screen out where the lint gathers in the dryerand wash it in hot soapy water, be surprised how much comes out even though I clean the filter each time I dry my clothes
09.03.10 @ 7:08 am
TIP: you won’t find this in your owners manual, but remove the front panel from your washer and find your drain pump filter. Clean it out once a year. You’ll be surprised what you find inside! House keys, weed eater string, drill bits, screw driver tips, etc. plus lint, animal hair. These will clog the drain pump filter causing your drain pump to overheat. Our washer is 3 years old, had no idea to do this. Wish we did - so simple - would have saved us $250!
09.03.10 @ 8:07 am
It’s usually one to one.
09.03.10 @ 8:59 am
this sounds like instructions for top loader. i have a front loader and the little dispensers on the front will not hold a cup ful of anything. can someone send instructions for a front loader.
09.03.10 @ 2:21 pm
Front loader instructions would be awesome! Any tips for those?
09.06.10 @ 12:45 am
may your front loader take only HE detergent and thats the reason for the small dispenser? HE detergent a lil goes a long way
09.06.10 @ 11:09 am
Could you possibly make these pages in a printable format? when I attempt to print them, it only prints the top hal and it has ads .
09.06.10 @ 7:01 pm
My washer is 13 years old and I am trying to kill it to get a new frontload. But it has lasted so long due to frequent cleanings as you mentioned. I have a big family and 2 large dogs so the upkeep is necessary for 12-20 loads a week (swim season is the worst).
09.07.10 @ 10:10 am
I have a question. When I was towels they smell nice and clean when I remove them but when they get wet again they smell musty. What is this? I have cleaned my washing machine with vinegar and then I cleaned it with bleach. Help! I am just about ready to throw away all my towels! I don’t really notice it on the clothes, just towels and washrags.
09.15.10 @ 6:45 am
Beth: I’ve noticed the same thing on occasion. It is very frustrating. If someone has an idea it would really be appreciated.
09.28.10 @ 8:57 pm
For the musty towel problem, we add about 1/3 cup vinegar in the softener section whenever we wash our towels in the front loader. Heard that it removes bacteria from towels and acts like a natural softener.