How to Clean Your Washing Machine From Top to Bottom

Pour 4 cups of white vinegar into the drum (the part that fills with water and spins your clothes), and then use your brush to scrub the interior. Set the washing machine to the highest and hottest setting, and run your empty washing machine. Next, add 1 cup of baking soda to the drum and run another cycle. After both cycles, wipe down the drum with a cloth. 

Note: If you notice a lingering smell, rerun the machine but this time with soap. However, while vinegar and some laundry detergents are safe when used in tandem, never mix vinegar and bleach. Combining the two chemicals can create chlorine gas, which is both an irritant and can be fatal when inhaled in high dosages. 

Make sure you clean the removable parts of your washing machine since it’s possible for detergent, lint, and debris to accumulate. By cleaning these parts, your washing machine will function more efficiently, and in turn, so will you. 

Removable parts may include a soap tray, detergent cups, and bleach dispensers. Soak these pieces in hot water, and then use a cloth or old toothbrush to scrape off residual debris or dirt. Afterward, rinse and return all the components. Keep an eye out for signs of mildew, which can build up around the more intricate parts of your washer. Cleaning mildew out of your washing machine will cut down on smells both in your machine and on your clothing.

As you clean, keep an eye out for signs that you may need a washing machine repair. These include water flow and drainage issues, strange sounds coming from the machine, leaks, or electrical issues.

Locate the filter. Usually, you can find it in the front of the machine behind a hatch, at the end of the drainage hose, under the center agitator, or along the rim of the drum. The filter helps to reduce the buildup of lint and debris inside, and cleaning it is essential to maintaining a high-functioning machine. 

You can either soak the filter in hot water with soap or mix a white vinegar and baking soda solution. Whichever option you choose, soak the filter, and then use a scrub brush to remove all the grime thoroughly. After you’ve adequately scrubbed the filter, rinse and dry it, then return it to its place.

The gasket is commonplace for lint, hair, and debris to build up, so make sure this is part of your washing machine cleaning regimen as well. To clean the gasket, either use a spray bottle or cloth to apply vinegar. Usually, you can locate the gasket at the back of the outer tub on the washing machine

If you think about how often you or someone else touches the door to your washing machine, it’s not surprising it may get dirty over time. That’s why it’s crucial to clean the outside of your washing machine. Using a damp, clean cloth, scrub down all exterior sides of the washing machine. You can use a vinegar and water mixture or an all-purpose cleaner. In addition, make sure to clean inside the lid where soap scum and lint may accumulate.

Don’t forget about the door handle. This is probably the exterior component that receives the most amount of touches, so make sure you scrub it clean.

You may need a little extra strength for this step if you’re dealing with a particularly heavy machine. Move the machine away from the wall, and use a vacuum to eliminate all dust, dirt, hair, lint, and any accumulated debris. Clean all surfaces near your washing machine since these areas may also have some lint buildup. You can save this task for your monthly or seasonal home cleaning checklist, as it's a once-in-a-blue-moon job that takes a lot of elbow grease.