Like every other appliance, your washing machine requires utmost care and maintenance. Cleaning your washing machine is one of the ways of keeping your device in good shape for optimal performance.
There are slight variations on how to clean different washing machine designs, but the objective is the same – keeping your washing machine spick and span tidy.
You would have probably asked how to clean your washing machine effectively. We will take you through proven steps to keep your device off dirt, grime, clogs, and other debris. A cleaned washer is more efficient and durable.
Why You Should Clean Your Washing Machine
Every appliance requires proper maintenance and care. Cleaning your appliance is an indispensable part of the maintenance process. An uncleaned washing machine will affect the functioning of the device. Below are the reasons you should regularly wash and clean your washing machine
Clears Dirt And Debris
Like every appliance, your washing machine gathers dirt and debris over time. If it is not cleaned and rinsed frequently and properly, it disrupts the functioning of the device. A washing machine filled with dirt and debris will not treat laundry effectively and professionally.
Remove Detergent Residues
Soap residues may gather in your device, especially when they are highly-concentrated cleaning solutions. Highly concentrated detergents may not dissolve easily during the wash cycle. Cleaning your washing machine helps clear this build-up of detergents.
Clear Clogs
Clogs are another disruptive factor in your washing machine. It impairs the functioning of the device resulting in an inefficient and ineffective Landry cycle. When your residues of detergents or flint build up over time in your device, it constitutes a clog.
A clog blocks your washing machine draining system, causing water to back up in your device. Water spillage and backup on the device always make your clothes soggy and wet. A thorough washing machine cleaning clears clogs and helps unblock your device draining system.
Checks Mold And Smells In Your Washing Machine
An uncleaned washing machine, when left for some time, is more likely to smell and build up mold. Mildew, dust and dirt, and clogs, when not attended to, will make the device smell. Molds and smells are undesirable for your clothes. A washing machine regularly treated with a good cleaning solution freshens your device and keeps it in good shape for your laundry activities.
Improved Performance And Longevity
Cleaning your washing machine is an essential aspect of machine care and maintenance. Maintaining a thorough and regular cleaning schedule for washing machines helps improve performance and longevity.
How To Clean Your Top Load And Front Load Washing Machines
There may be slight variations on how to clean your top load and front load washing machines due to the design and structure of both devices. Front-loading machines come with a rubber ring called a gasket at the machine’s door. Unlike top-loading machines, more residue, dirt, grime and gunk seem to settle on the gasket of front-loaders.
Although cleaning and washing between the two machine designs are almost similar, a specific cleaning technique could be more suitable than the other when washing the two due to their peculiar features.
How To Clean Your Top Loader Washing Machine
The major difference between a top-loader and a front loader is the loading point. While the loading point in your front loader is at the side of the machine, the top loader is at the top of the device. Hence, we will take you through peculiar steps to effectively clean your top-loading washing machine.
Empty Your Top Loader Washing Machine Drum
Before you start a cleaning process and your top-loader, ensure that the drum is cleared of all load and laundry solutions. Remove your clothes and drain out wastewater.
Set Water Temperature To The Highest.
Top loaders are traditionally made to take up heavy loads, especially with agitators. Use hot water to wash the internals of the top loader. Top loaders are best washed not just with hot water but at very high temperatures. Set your top loader to the largest load setting and select the most extended load cycle.
Fill Your Drum With The Hot Water
After following the above step, fill your top loader with hot water. If your top-loader washer had an agitator, stop the selected most extended cycle before it the agitator
Add Your Chlorine Cleaning Solution
Always add your Chlorine bleach to the hot water. It helps remove foul odours and also disinfect your washer. Chlorine bleach is a good additive for clearing bacterial build-up and gunk in your machine.
Hit The Complete Wash Cycle Which You Selected
With the chlorine cleaning solution applied to the hot water in the drum, allow the device to go soon, rinse and operate on the selected wash cycle. As your device spins, washing and rinsing your washing machine with the hot water and the chlorine cleaning solution, it removes debt, disinfects the washer, clears bad smells and also removes bacteria and fungi build-ups.
Empty The Washer Drum Again
After running the spin, rinse and wash cycles with a hot water solution of chlorine bleach, and empty the washing machine drum before you clean the device’s dispensers.
If your top loader washing machine is removable, remove it and dip it into a hot water solution filled with vinegar. Leave it for about 15 minutes. If it is non-removable, pour your hot water-vinegar solution into the dispenser and leave it for 15 minutes.
You can use a brush to scrub off residue that may stick to the dispense after applying the hot water-vinegar solution.
Refill Your Top-loader Wash Drum Again
After cleaning your dispensers, fill your top-loader drum with hot water again. Use that white distilled vinegar solution on your dispensers on the washing drum this time. Select the spin, rinse and wash cycle again. This will help clear all dirt, gunk, clogs, grime, lint m, bacterial and detergent build-up in the device.
Clean The Exteriors Of Your Top-loader
With the above step, you are now through with the interior parts of your top-loader washing machine. Now, clean the exterior part of your device. You can use slightly warm water to clean the exterior of your device. Dip a washing cloth into the water to clean and wash off stains, dust and grime on your device. Use a toothbrush soaked in the cleaning solution to penetrate hidden and tight corners and scrub off stains. Rinse and dry it after cleaning.
How To Clean Your Front Load Washing Machines
Front loading washing machines have their loading point at the side of the device, unlike the top loaders. The cleaning steps are similar, except for a few minor variations. Follow the steps below to clean your front loader perfectly.
Empty The Drum And Hit The Tube Clean Cycle
Before you start the cleaning process, remove all your loads from the washing machine’s drum. Next, press the tub clean button or set your device to the most significant load cycle.
Add Your Cleaning Solution To The Detergents Tray
After emptying your washer and selecting the tube clean, draw out the detergent tray and add your cleaning solution. You can use your Vinegar cleaning solution at this stage to clear the odour and first.
Run Your Wash And Rinse Cycle
After adding your cleaning solution to the detergents tray, allow your front loader to run both wash and rinse cycles. It will activate the actual dirt removing and odour removing process.
Empty The Device Again And Refill it With Hot Water
Next, remove the cleaning solution and empty the washing machine. Press the clean tub button or set your device to the hottest or largest load again. Refill it with hot water and add your soda solution. Then, let the machine run both wash and rinse cycles. The interior of your front loader is now clean.
Clean Dispensers
After clearing your front loader of all foul smells and dirt, remove the dispensers if they are removable and clean them. You can dip them in a hot water cleaning solution. Use your brush for non-removable dispensers. Dip the brush into the cleaning solution and remove all dirt, clogs and guns from the dispensers. Ensure that they are rinsed afterwards.
Wash And Scrub Your Front Loader Exterior
After completing the internal cleaning process, use a cleaning rag soaked in good cleaning solutions to wipe and wash the outer part of your front loader. Ensure to rinse and wipe it dry after cleaning it.
How To Use Vinegar On Your Washing Machines
Vinegar is another great solution for keeping your washing machine spick and span clean. Top loaders and front loaders can be washed with vinegar. Vinegar cleaning solutions are distilled from alcohol. Its slight acidity gives both your laundry and the machine a perfect refreshing touch.
Use Vinegar to clean detergent and fabric softener dispensers. Experts recommend only two cups of a distilled white vinegar solution for your dispensers. The essence of emptying the washer drum before cleaning the dispenser is to ensure that the vinegar and chlorine solution does not mix. It can produce a foul, pungent and dangerous smell.
Tips on How To Keep Your Front Loader or Top Loader Washing Machine Clean
- Use vinegar and chlorine bleach solution for your regular washing machine cleaning. Both are effective in clearing odour and mildew and freshening up your washer.
- Never allow them to mix. Mixing them can emit dangerous smells.
- Hot water is always more recommendable, especially when dealing with the interior of your washing machine.
- Always remember to rinse your washer after every cleaning process.
- If your washing has a removable agitator, remove them and clean them. If they are not removable, use a scrub and brushes where necessary.
- Remove clothes immediately from the drum after every wash cycle.
- After each cleaning process, always leave your washing machine open to allow ventilation.
- Clean the dispensers and dry them after the cleaning process.
Always mob up the exterior of your machine after cleaning it. Don’t leave it wet.