We all depend on our washer for clean clothing, towels, blankets, and bed-sheets, but exactly how do we clean a washer itself? The answer partly depends on the kind of washer you have, therefore it is always a good idea to refer to the directions found in the owner's manual.
Does your washer have a tub clean cycle?
Over time, dirt, fabric softener, and detergent residue left behind following the wash cycle can allow mold and mildew to grow in the tub. Apart from being unhealthy, this can increase the risk for washer becoming smelly with the likelihood that the bad smell will transfer for your clothes and bed linens. To assist combat mold and mildew build-up, some newer washing machine models from manufacturers like LG, Samsung, Kenmore, and Whirlpool will have a “tub clean” or “clean washer” function; a cycle created specifically to clean the interior of the tub itself. If your washer has this feature, you need to use it at least once a month having a specially formulated cleaning product like Affresh:
- Fully unload the washer.
- Place one cleaner tablet into the tub, not in a dispenser.
- Select “tub clean” or “clean washer” around the control panel and press “start”.
- After the cycle is finished, wipe away any residue with a microfiber cloth.
If your washer does not have a dedicated self-clean function, you're not at a complete loss. After placing the cleaner tablet in the tub, run the washer through a normal wash cycle using the hottest water setting. Picking out a high-load size and a long wash cycle will help as well.
Do you have to use formulated tub cleaner tablets?
As an alternative to a formulated washer tub cleaning product like Affresh, you are able to clean and sanitize the inside of the bathtub with a combination of white vinegar and baking soda, or liquid chlorine bleach (remember that vinegar and bleach should never be used together).
- With the tub empty, select the highest load-size and the hottest water temperature.
- Add two cups of white vinegar towards the tub for a front-load washer; four cups for any top-load washer, along with a cup of baking soda (unlike tablets, the vinegar and sodium bicarbonate can be placed directly into the detergent dispenser). Alternatively, you can use a 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach rather than the vinegar and baking soda solution.
- Run the washer.
- After allowing the wash, rinse, and spin cycles to accomplish, run the washer through another complete wash cycle only using hot water (no vinegar, sodium bicarbonate, or bleach) to completely wash it out any residue.
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the tub.
Top load washer cleaning tips
When cleaning a top-load washer tub, consider lifting the lid after the tub fills to interrupt the wash cycle for thirty-to-sixty minutes to allow the vinegar and sodium bicarbonate solution, or bleach, time for you to break down bacteria and soap build-up within the tub. After allowing this time around for the solution to set, close the lid to carry on the cycle.
In addition, top-load washers have agitators, and frequently detergent dispensers as well, that can be removed. You should think about uninstalling these parts and soaking them separately in hot, soap and water then using a soft bristle brush to wash off any debris. Use freshwater to rinse them off, then dry them with a microfiber cloth before reinstalling the components.
Front load washer cleaning tips
Front-load washers can be especially prone to odors due to the water and bacteria that collects within the folds of the rubber door boot seal. After each use, you need to dry off the inside of the seal having a cloth. As part of a regular maintenance routine, give a 3/4 cup of bleach to a gallon water and use the solution to clean the seal and the inside of the door glass. You can use a scrubbing brush to clear the inside of the boot seal folds.
Detergent drawers and drain pump filters may also be uninstalled in order to be cleaned separately. Like a precaution, be sure to place a towel down when removing the drain pump filter like a considerable amount of water is likely to spill out.
Additional tips:
- Always go ahead and take clothing, towels, blankets, and bedding out of the washer promptly after the spin cycle has implemented to prevent odors from developing.
- Clean any debris, mud, or pet hair in the interior of the tub. It is possible to vacuum this material out of the tub after it has thoroughly dried.
- Leave the washer door ajar or even the lid propped open after use to help dry out remaining moisture.
Find the best washing machine parts with Repair Clinic
With years of repeated use, parts within the washer can fail, become damaged, or just display signs of wear-and-tear. A top-load washer's agitator or dispenser can crack or become discolored. A front-load washer's door boot seal may become torn or the boot seal retainer or retaining spring can break. Whether you have to repair your washer or simply want to keep it looking like new, you'll find the right parts for your appliance simply by entering the full model number in the Repair Clinic search bar. The navigation filters around the left side of the part results page will allow you to refine your search down to just the part or parts you want. Repair Clinic stocks parts for all the major brands of washers including Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, Samsung, LG, and GE, but you will want to make sure you're purchasing the exact part that fits your particular model.
