This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
It is hard to have clean laundry without a clean washer! Check out my tips for how to deep clean your washer!
My tips and tricks will leave your washer clean, sanitized and ready to focus on what counts–cleaning your clothes and linens!
And if you are looking for more, be sure to check out my
Instagram page where I will walk you through how to deep clean your washer!
❤️ Why You’ll Love to Deep Clean Your Washer
I love to deep clean my washer. It ensures my laundry comes out fresh and spotless every time. Over time, residue from detergent, fabric softener, and grime can build up in. my washer, leading to unpleasant odors and potentially affecting the performance of my machine.
By deep cleaning, I not only eliminate these residues but also extend the lifespan of my washer, reduce maintenance costs, and promote a healthier laundry environment.
This simple yet effective task transforms my washing machine into a pristine, efficient appliance, making laundry day a more pleasant and rewarding experience.
🧽 Materials: Deep Clean Your Washer
You might be wondering about the vinegar in your washer to deep clean your washer. There is a lot of information out there that says to keep vinegar out of your washer. I am not advocating for putting vinegar in your washer every time you do wash! But for a deep clean, it helps!
Vinegar works by loosening zinc salts or aluminum chloride. This means that dirt won’t stick to your clothing and the same for all the grime you’re deep cleaning out of it with this method!
Vinegar is safe for natural rubber seals and any parts made from polypropelene, silicone, fluorocarbon, and virgin Teflon, as well as butyl synthetic rubber seals. Distilled white vinegar usually measures between 2.4-3.5 ph depending on the brand.
🧼 How to Do
Usually the icky smell comes from build up of detergent and moisture so mold and mildew grow. Saturating an area in vinegar is a great way to prime spaces for easier cleaning with 10 to 30 minutes of soaking.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
A deep clean for my washer keeps it running smoothly. It also keeps my clothes and linens cleaner. Here are some additional tips for keeping your investment running top-notch!
Clean the Detergent Dispenser: I remove the detergent dispenser and soak it in a mixture of hot water and vinegar. I scrub away any remaining residue with an old toothbrush.
Wipe Down the Drum and Door Seal: After the hot water cycle, I use a clean cloth soaked in vinegar to wipe down the inside of the drum, the door, and the door seal. I pay special attention to areas with visible mold or mildew.
Tackle the Drain Filter: I locate and clean the drain filter, which can collect lint, my hair, and other debris. I soak it in vinegar if necessary, then rinse thoroughly.
Run a Second Hot Water Cycle: After cleaning, I run another hot water cycle without any vinegar to rinse away any remaining residue and ensure a thorough clean.
Air It Out: I leave the washer door open after cleaning to allow it to dry completely and prevent mold and mildew buildup.
Regular Maintenance: To keep my washer in top shape, I perform this deep cleaning routine once a month or as needed based on usage.
🗒 Variations
If you’re looking for alternatives to vinegar for deep cleaning your washer, here are some effective variations I recommend:
- Baking Soda and Water: I combine 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of water and add this mixture to my washer’s detergent container. I run a hot water cycle. Baking soda is excellent at neutralizing odors and breaking down grime.
- Lemon Juice: I add 2 cups of lemon juice to the drum and run a hot water cycle. Lemon juice not only has natural antibacterial properties but also leaves a fresh scent.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: I pour 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide directly into the drum and run a hot water cycle. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant and helps remove mold and mildew.
🗒 Substitutions
For a natural and pleasant scent, I like to add a few drops of essential oil (such as tea tree oil, lavender, or eucalyptus) to any of the above methods.
Essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties, which enhance the cleaning process.
🤔 Common Questions
It’s recommended to deep clean your washer once a month or every 30 wash cycles to prevent buildup of detergent, fabric softener, and grime.
Depending on your lifestyle and occupation, it may need to be done more frequently.
Also, depending on the number of occupants in your home or pets, you may need to deep clean your washer more frequently.
Yes, white vinegar is safe to use in both types of washers. However, make sure to follow the specific instructions for each model.
No, vinegar is generally safe for rubber seals. However, avoid prolonged exposure to undiluted vinegar on rubber parts to prevent any potential damage.
Deep Clean Your Washer
Equipment
- 2 towels
- 1 bucket
Ingredients
- Distilled vinegar
- Baking soda
- Cold water
Instructions
- Soak two towels in cold water with baking soda.
- Spray distilled vinegar on the rubber rim of the washing machine.
- Let both set for 30mins or an hour.
- Then ring out the towels and add them to the washing machine.
- Run a cycle on hot with distilled vinegar in the spot where you load laundry soap.
- Once done take a cloth and run it over all the mold and mildew in the rubber rim of the washer. It’ll come right off!
- If you want, run one more rinse cycle and you’re done.
- For an extra icky washing machine: consider vinegar soaked rags or paper towels set into the grooves of a narrow moldy space overnight.
