To clean the outside of a washing machine, follow these steps:
- Gather the right supplies, including a cleaning solution and microfiber cloths.
- Focus on removing dirt and grime from the exterior surfaces, including the control.
- Clean top-loading washing machines by cleaning the washer drum, removable parts, filter, gasket, and lid.
- Use a soft cloth and mild dish soap to wipe down the exterior of the washing machine, paying particular attention to the lid, knobs, and detergent dispenser.
- Check the owner’s manual before doing anything to your washing machine.
- Use the Bosch Washer Cleaner every few months to wash the drum and remove greasy residues.
- Learn how to make a DIY washing machine cleaner using a small scrub brush, white vinegar, hot water, a 24- to 32-ounce container, and washing machine cleaner tablets.
- Remove the control knobs if they come off and wash them in the sink. Wipe down the exterior of the washing machine with a microfiber cloth and prepare a solution of equal parts white vinegar, baking soda, and water.
- Stains and dirt can be removed by wiping a cloth/paper towel with spray cleaner in there and spinning it around.
- Maintain the washer exterior by wiping off dust and dirt with a damp cloth. Make a cleaning solution with ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water, pour 2 cups distilled white vinegar into the empty washer tub, and run an empty, regular cycle on hot, using two cups of distilled white vinegar instead of detergent. Add the vinegar to the detergent dispenser.
📹 HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE!(Quick & Easy!)
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE! Get Rid of Bad Smells! Does your front load high efficiency washer get stinky?
How do you clean the rubber around the drum of a washing machine?
To clean your washing machine, use white vinegar and a cotton pad to remove dirt and grime around the seal. Run the machine on empty to remove any traces of vinegar before using clothes. For best results, follow these general hygiene tips:
- Leave the door open to prevent mold and dirt build-up by draining hot air and moisture.
- Remove laundry after the washing cycle to prevent moisture build-up.
- Use a cotton pad to clean around the seal and run the machine on empty to remove any traces of vinegar.
How do you clean the outside of a washing machine drum?
To clean the surfaces of washing machines and dryers, it is necessary to use an all-purpose cleaning agent that is compatible with the material of the appliances. This can be done by wiping the surfaces with a cloth or sponge dampened with the cleaning solution, ensuring that the solution itself is also compatible with the material of the appliances.
How to deep clean a front loader washing machine?
To clean your front-load washer, start a wash cycle with vinegar and baking soda, ensuring the drum is empty. Sprinkle baking soda inside the drum, pour distilled white vinegar into the detergent dispenser, and run the washer on the hot water setting. This simple cleaning method will help your appliance last longer, make clothes cleaner, and eliminate the odor. Asurion experts offer assistance with troubleshooting issues and future interruption protection.
Front-load washers are highly efficient, using less water than top-loaders, but detergent and dirt may not completely rinse away. To prevent mold and mildew buildup, deep clean your front-load washer around every 40 cycles or once a month.
What can I use to clean my washing machine outside?
To clean a top-loading washing machine, follow these steps:
Empty the washer and detergent dispenser, select the hottest setting and longest cycle possible.
Fill the washer with water, stop the cycle before the agitator starts, add four cups of chlorine bleach, run the complete cycle, use vinegar for dispensers, fill the washer with hot water, add four cups of vinegar, complete the spin and wash cycle, and wipe down the exterior.
If you don’t have time or patience to scrub your washing machine’s crevices, consider using buildup-fighting products to keep it smelling fresh. Consult the instructions on the product and consult the product’s recommendations.
Place a tablet into your empty washing machine and run a cycle on hot water. Wipe off the residue afterward.
How do you clean the outside of a white washing machine?
To clean your washing machine’s exterior, use mild dish soap mixed with water and unplug it before cleaning. Use a microfiber cloth to clean buttons, dials, and crevices, then rinse and dry the surfaces.
Utilize self-cleaning washing machine cycles, such as DrumClean+, which removes bacteria and cleans the drum at a hot 70°C. If your machine doesn’t have a dedicated self-cleaning function, run it on an empty cycle at the hottest temperature without using detergent. This will help remove dirt and bacteria, keeping your appliance clean, hygienic, and ready for use.
Household products can also be used to clean your washing machine without harsh chemicals. These products can remove dirt and grime without spending a lot on expensive cleaners. Overall, cleaning your washing machine can significantly improve its appearance and functionality.
Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?
Chlorine bleach and white vinegar are common cleaning ingredients for mold, mildew, and everyday gunk in washing machines. White vinegar is highly acidic, effective in killing slimy accumulation in wet environments, while bleach is an oxidative agent that makes towels bright and white. The cleaning solution depends on the issue at hand, with bleach being more effective for mold or mildew and vinegar for odor removal. Some prefer white vinegar due to its milder nature.
If the washing machine has been neglected and is now a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, a power cleaner can be used by setting it to a normal wash cycle with hot water and adding a quarter of a cup of bleach. Check the washing machine manual for compatibility. To clean inside a washing machine, use a spray bottle, distilled white vinegar, baking soda, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and an old toothbrush.
How to remove stains from outside of a washing machine?
The top of the washing machine is a common spot for dirty clothes, so it should be cleaned regularly using a solution of white vinegar, baking soda, and water. This helps remove stains and dirt accumulation. If your model has knobs, use a toothbrush to access all nooks and crannies. To remove odor-causing germs and dirt, run a deodorizing cycle with warm water and ordinary baking soda after cleaning. Pour 2 cups of baking soda into hot water and stir, allowing the ingredients to sit together for half an hour before completing the cycle.
How do I clean and deodorize my front-load washer?
To remove residual laundry lint and moisture from the gasket, one should carefully pull it back and clean it away with a soft cloth or paper towel.
How do I clean the front of my washing machine?
It is recommended that two cups of vinegar be added to the detergent tray, either in the bleach section or the softener section, in order to ensure optimal cleaning efficacy and quality.
How do you remove black mold from a washing machine rubber seal?
To remove black mould from a washing machine seal, ensure the machine is empty and dry, wear protective gloves, and spray a bleach-based mould cleaner onto a microfibre cloth. Wipe the entire circumference of the seal, ensuring to get into the rubber seal folds. Remove any remaining mould and lint with the cloth, then inspect the seal for any remaining mould. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, leave the door open, and let it dry for at least an hour. Rinse the microfibre cloth in water and repeat steps 1-6 with the biocidal cleaner.
A biocidal cleaner should be used once every 6 months to prevent mould growth. Keep the door open after use until the seal and inside of the washing machine are dry. Black mould spores are invisible and can land on clothes without noticing, transferring to the washing machine drum, which has a humid atmosphere conducive to mould growth. Although drums are usually made from stainless steel, dirt and lint deposits still harbor black mould growth.
Should I use vinegar and baking soda to clean a washing machine?
Vinegar and baking soda are effective cleaners for washing machines, as they remove hard water deposits, dirt, and grime. You can substitute vinegar with citric acid or hydrogen peroxide. Soda crystals, also known as washing soda, are a powerful water softener and multipurpose cleaner. They dissolve grease, breaking down soap scum that blocks drains and encourages bacteria growth. To activate their cleaning power, place two cups of soda crystals in the washing machine drum and start a long, hot wash. Repeat this monthly as a maintenance cleaning cycle to keep your machine in top condition.
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I have to thank you Pan! My wife was demanding a new washing machine. I just bought this front loader a year ago. I found your article (I watch a ton of your detailing articles already) and I’ve followed it to a “T”. She just made one of my favorite dinners walking around the house saying “they don’t have a husband like mine” lol! Appreciate you brother!
I have that same LG washer you have. When you pulled back the the rubber seal there is a small round hole in it that likes to block up. That hole is to drain back water into the outer tub. When it blocks dirty water sits the seal area – and will smell of course. I use a round bristle tubing brush to clear that. Harbor freight or big box stores sell them to clean spray guns.
Thank you! Don’t forget to clean the space that holds the detergent tray! I just looked at mine and it was full of mildew and some kind of biofilm. My landlord replaced my old top-load with a brand new front-load and I absolutely hate it, but this article will help me learn to cope with the change. I’ve never had such disgusting issues with a top-loader washing machine. Now, I think I’ll run bleach through the new washer every week.
Add a cup of vinegar to your wash to eliminate odours from clothes, like those worn at the gym. Keeps your front-loader smelling good. It also softens the clothes, no need for fabric softener. Keep your front-loader door slightly open once you’re done washing, prevents the odours from forming inside.
I would suggest one minor tweak to your formula. Swap out the vinegar for citric acid. If your washer has limescale in it and your cleaning process does not remove all of it, that vinegar smell will linger for quite some time. Citric acid is nearly orderless and will not leave any lingering odors. This is especially true if you are cleaning things like coffee makers, dishwashers, tankless water heaters, etc. Keep up the good work Pan!
Adding fun guy? I am the fun guy. Also for anybody who speaks ‘traditional’ English, baking soda is called “bicarbonate of soda” (basically transliterated the same from French). “White vinegar” is “spirit vinegar” or “distilled (white) vinegar” in the US. I hope this translation helps any of my non-Canadian speaking friends.
Like he showed, leave the door open afterwards. Totally prevents mould/odours. I also stuff a kitchen towel into the door rubber at the bottom (with half the towel sticking out). This draws up moisture which then evaporates. Also, put soda crystals in with the detergent to help reduce limescale build-up. My AEG front loader is 25 years old and still going strong.
I think I’ll stick to my top loader machine. I leave the lid open always when done with a wash. I use the machine cleaning tablets 1-2 times a month (we wash everyday). Maintaining that rubber gasket is not for me. I keep my machine cleaned and I do wash my towels and bedding in hot water. I also use the least amount of HE liquid detergent to wash clothes. And I never ever use liquid fabric softener.
Couple of other important things to check- the outlet pipe, make sure there is a straight 2 or 3 degrees tilt towards the drain as crud will collectin the outletpipe. I flush my outlet pipe out once a month, lastly, I’ve back fed my machine with a garden hose draining all the gunk out through the small washing machine drain pipe at the front as shown, its crazy how much crap came out, I also rotate the drum at the same time. I use a Fairy Platinum dishwasher tablet as this has strong ingredients and degreasers to break down biological muck from inside the drum on drum clean mode (90 degrees Celsius). Comes out crisp and clean every time 👌
I bought my machine today, read instructions, put machine on eco clean cycle. About 3 hours it’s still filling and emptying. It’s now filling up to pass the plastic rim so I paused it. The machine is full of water . My question is what to do for ot to empty itself. Please help. I will call the dealers tomorrow .
Great article I know you had a lot of information to get in a short amount of time and you were trying to do it quickly that’s not easy to do. Question is hi just saw some grime as you say in a polite way, but basically kind of moldy and fuzzy on the glass part of the bottom when you open the door kind of mortified that it was that bad then I looked in where the rubber gasket is and it was 6/4 of an inch Heavy gunk all the way around inside the rubber gasket and kind of moldy;( you talked about it a little bit but I’m surprise you didn’t show how to clean inside of the rubber gasket, so that’s why I came to this article feel like the whole rubber part is we pulled off REmoved? Well and replaced but no scraped the scraper mean it’s scary. 😮
Question1: Does one add the baking soda to the drum and the vinegar to the detergent drawer and run the Hot water clean cycle together, or is this two different cycles? One cycle with the baking soda, then a second cycle with the vinegar? Question 2: Can I substitute TSP for baking soda? Thank You for a helpful article. Most of my mold build-up happens in the bottom of the door gasket (Black Mold) and I believe this is where the odors come from?
Many washers on the 2nd floor sit on or in a pan with drain that is designed to drain if your washer ever leaks. Some of these systems were plumbed into your dwv sewer system. When the trap dries out (and it will) sewer gas escapes up into your washer and makes you think the washer is the source. It isn’t. Put some water (1 gallon) in the pan underneath your washer and the trap will fill and your problem will disappear.
Found the old version of this article, and it inspired me to clean my washing machine which has had an iffy kind of smell to it.. The commercially awailable washing machine cleaning solutuons here in Norway never did a damn bit of good But even without any lavender or tea-tree oil i could not semse any iffy smell when I had run tjroug the teo cycles at 90’c The dispener drawer was a nasty thing, a thogh as nauls yellow/brownish residue had built up, i (wrongly) thought that id was dammage from the washing powdee, but after perusal the old article realised that it was residue, i siaked the affected parts n white winegar and a bit of hot water.. and now the dispenser drawer is clean enogh to eat my dinner from 😂 Thanks Pan, you are truly inspirational🙂
Thank you so much! As a mother with very young children, my daughter often pee on her bed so we havr to wash often her blankets, howerver after a while, since a few days there is now a smell in the washer bur also because it was never clean since we moved in. I can now get rid of odours and know how to clean it each months.
Hi… How do I remove stubborn build up in the rubber gasket if the vinegar solution doesn’t remove it… Thanks for this useful process, I’m very pedantic over my laundry and wouldnt want my machine to just accumulate gunk and I also wash items that my cats use so this process is exactly what I need!!!
Thanks for the article. I would like to clarify, if i should pour vinegar and baking soda at the same time? I mean soda contains alkali, vinegar – is a weak acid. From my chemistry lessons I learned that alkali and acid is directly opposite. Once you put it together it neutralizes each other. Could anyone explain it to me please, because I’ve seen this kind of thinking over the internet multiple times. However, in one website I’ve seen an instruction “take vinegar or baking soda”. Should I use vinegar and baking soda in two different washes? Thanks.
Hi, Thank you for your tips! Works a treat already and I haven’t even finished! Now I’m not sure if I understood it correctly. By dishwasher liquid you mean this which you pour into dishwashing machine,( finish type of stuff right)? Not the dishwashing for hand wash (like dawn or fairy?) thank you in advance for your reply!
After perusal this article, i went and looked at my front load washer and pulled that gasket back and nearly threw up! I’m embarrassed by the amount of mold back there! Fairly new washer too and I always leave the door open after a wash. Starting this process now. I’m a clean freak too, so this doesn’t set well with me lol Appreciate the helpful article as always, Pan!
I’m really confused about your measurements for your spray bottle. I’ve just mixed a cup of spirit vinegar and a cup of washing up liquid and now have a measuring jug that looks like I’ve made some kind of halloween meringue. Not convinced wasting 10 drops of essential oil in it is going to make it work through a spray bottle…
also after use, you can leave the top drawer slightly ajar as well as the front loading door. this will keep it clean with air and let the moister go out with natural vaporization. if you have kids and pets be careful with this tho. always wipe the excess water under the plastic shroud in the front loading area, after the washing. on normal use you can add some vinegar to the 2nd slot (softener) near the end of the washing to have smooth clothes. Finally you can use Baby Detergents with no fragrance to avoid exposing to PFAS alike chems found in detergent fragrances. instead you can use natural oils like lavender. the toxic thing with detergent fragrance is: even after heavy washing and drying of clothes, you can still smell them. which means they are somewhat water and detergent resistant with PFAS like elements they grab on to the very texture of the fabrics and our body while wearing them absorbs the PFAS thru our skin. According to latest studies, most of PFAS like chems are absorbed thru clothing with Fragrance of detergents. 🙂 hope it helps!
Hello ☺️ i have an old top load Maytag and it leaves white marks my dark clothes.. so i tried this deep cleaning plus i found the filters under the agitators and cleaned those.. my washer feels brand new but much to my surprise i still have white marks! I really had high hopes! Any idea what else could be the issue? .. thank you 😊
Very helpful article thank you ! I have a Samsung Serie 9 QuickDrive with an auto detergent and softener container, which means I put once in a while softener and detergent and the machine takes the amount it needs for the load. So I can’t put the vinegar there cause I already cleaned it not long ago, can I put the vinegar inside with the bicarbonate? Thank you xx
So many articles on cleaning these high efficiency machines and I haven’t found 1 yet that tells you to detach the fins inside and clean them! Just did mine and @$#%. The slime and gunk inside those fins almost made me puke. We tried everything in ours and it always stunk, until we removed the fins and cleaned underneath.
My front load washing machine drains at the beginning of a normal cycle (not sure if it also does at the beginning of a cleaning cycle) so it drops all the vinegar into the tub and then drains the mixture of vinegar and baking soda at the start. Any ideas on how to rectify this? Try the cleaning setting, or add the vinegar partway through? I’m assuming it’s not cleaning the tub well if it drains from the start.
I strictly go to the laundry mat in my local area. Just to wash the microfiber towels. I’ve decided long time ago since I’m using Chemical’s. To not use my home washing machines. This way I know for sure I’m not getting any kind of Auto cleaning chemicals stuck to my washing machine. Which can leech onto your clothes. And of course you can always do what Pan the organizer recommends which is an excellent idea.👍
I’ve had my machine for 7 years. Never knew about any of this. I would just clean the tray and wipe the rubber seal. The other day i noticed a bad smell and a washing load did not smell fresh. After doing the vinegar method my smell went away. I followed through with the baking soda tip just to be sure. I really appreciate the article!
Mixing baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) neutralizes the vinegar forming sodium acetate (a salt), water and carbon dioxide gas. I see recommendations everywhere for mixing the two…maybe the bubbles that form are thought to be “cleaning” when it’s just carbon dioxide. Stick to just vinegar. I enjoy your articles on car detailing but as a chemical engineer, I got to throw out some basic acid/base chemistry!
I washed my microfiber towels (dirty from DIY detailing my vehicle), then just did a “self clean” on my machine. Washed kids clothes after and one of the sweaters after wash had oil spots on them. I may have to do this cycle every time after washing towels? Have you found yourself having this issue after using Rags to Riches? I would like to avoid damaging clothes. Appreciate your help in advance.
I tried to find your name so I could address you properly … 😉 Well, no “luck” and so I just say … Hello Pan, Would you be so good to assist me in finding the safest, yet most effective way to deep-clean our washing machine gasget/rubber seal. To my dismay it has suffered quite a bit and I could really use your help!
I still have 2 problems: Inside the washer drum area there is hair (dog mostly) and gunk that I cannot access. Second problem, it is very dirty inside large filter at the bottom of the washer. I have wiped inside the area and the rag comes out black. Can I safely go into this area with a long brush? It’s coming out dirty but I’m not sure how far I can reach inside.
Thank you for the tutorial. I did this because our washing machine has been very smelly, particularly at the beggining of the cycle. When I opened the filter a whole lot of water came out (despite of having used it like a week ago for the last time) and the water was extremely stinky. I was sure the filter would be super dirty, but it was actually clean!!! now I am afraid we might have a bigger issue with the machine. Do you know what might be happening?
Help please!!! I cleaned out the washer filter just as you show in your article here. Put the filter back in and now the washer won’t run. I have verified the filter is in correctly but it won’t run because the door open symbol (shirt) on the light board is lit. The door of the washer is definitely closed and the filter is definitely on tight. What the heck is going on??? TIA
I’m a big believer in and user of essential oils, but they must be used properly. Essential oils are incredibly corrosive to plastics and rubber. Essential oils will not fully emulsify with most liquids, meaning that when you mix it with vinegar and pour it into your machine, the essential oils will stick to the sides of the portals that you pour your liquid into. I love to use essential oils in my laundry, but really the only safe way to do it is to pre-mix it with a dry powder such as borax, washing soda or a powdered detergent, or you could even pre mix it with a liquid detergent, but only if you add the detergent directly to the washer drum. 👍 Edit to add that for the cleaning solution, using essential oils is great for cleaning, but make sure you store it in a glass spray bottle! Many essential oils will actually eat through plastic overtime, and even which chemicals from the plastic into your cleaning solution. 🙅🏻♀️
I got a washer with my kitchen unbeknown to me the previous owner left an old damp towel. Inside the rubber ring was slimy black mold. I was he’d out the machine and removed the grime including taken drawer out. But the smell of mold remains I have boiled washed with every thing but its still smells. Could it be the hose?
Baking soda is alkaline, slightly caustic so will brake grime down. Vinegar is acidic (acetic acid) it will neutralise the baking soda and also help clean grime by breaking it down. I have heard people recommend mixing them to create a cleaning solution however that is pointless since acids and alkalines mixed neutralise each other 😂 One after the other is great though.
Do you have any tips for pet hair? I’m a dog groomer and I run my work clothes through the dryer first to catch some hair in the lint trap before I washed them, but I still end up with clumps of hair stuck in the little drain holes behind the rubber seal. I’m always cleaning up slimy hair out of there and I’m worried that it will clog the washer drains and I’ll have to pay for some expensive maintenance. My shop has had to buy 3 new washers within 5 years because the hair is so hard on them when we wash our towels. I don’t have a drain trap/plug to pull out and clean. It literally just all goes down the drain.
Hello Paaaaann !!! Je fais pareil ! Alors je fais 1 truc en plus, voir 2. Je lave le receveur du tiroir de lessive car ça peut s’encrasser de par sa localisation. Et aussi j’aspire et nettoie derrière et dessous la machine 1 x par an . L’arrière d’une machine est un attrapé poussière. Question ? Combien dure une machine a laver au Canada en moyenne ? Et chez toi ?
Why would you put an “essential” oil like lavender in your cleaning mixture? You’re trying to clean it, not get it smelly and greasy. It would also render the machine unusable for anyone with fragrance allergies (which is about 20% of the population) until you somehow got that smelly essential oil cleaned out of the machine. Please explain the purpose of adding oily perfume to a cleaning mixture.