A well-equipped laundry room calls for more than a stylish folding table and shelving for organization. You need a washer that's operating at peak performance—and that means you need to know how to clean your washing machine and do it regularly. On average, families do 7 to 8 loads of laundry a week. That takes a lot of detergent, and any traces that don't rinse out can leave sticky buildup behind. That buildup stinks, literally; it's what allows mold and mildew to grow. But that's not all, says Patric Richardson, aka HGTV's Laundry Guy: It can keep your washer from working as efficiently as possible.
"The sensors in your machine can get kind of gummed up with detergent, and then it doesn't work as well," says Richardson. "So cleaning every so often also cleans those sensors."
Cleaning your washer is an essential part of doing laundry whether you do it every day or let it fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Periodically cleaning your washing machine ensures "it’s not trapping in any dirt," says Richardson. Left unchecked, a dirty washing machine can trap grime and odors that eventually get rereleased onto your clothes and linens. That can lead to bigger problems, like laundry that never looks or smells clean. Nobody wants that.
We've laid out a step-by-step guide to clean your washing machine in no time. Read on, then check out our laundry symbols guide. It'll help you decode the label instructions and wash and dry your clothes correctly. That way, they'll last as long as possible.
Materials
- Distilled white vinegar
- Borax
- Hand towel
- Spray bottle
Lucy's Distilled White Vinegar
Step One: Empty the Washing Machine
Remove any clothes, debris (like lint or soggy bits of paper), or in some cases, Legos. Pour a gallon of white vinegar and a pound of Borax into the washer's drum.
Step Two: Run the Washing Machine
Start a normal cycle. Let the washing machine run for one minute to combine the vinegar and Borax. When you mix borax and vinegar, they create a solution that helps to remove any mold or mildew that may be developing. Borax is also a natural deodorizer.
Step Three: Allow Cleaning Solution to Soak
Let the vinegar and Borax sit in the washing machine for one hour. Now's the perfect time to take a break—or, you know, fold the clothes you just took out of the dryer.
Step Four: Run a Heavy Duty Cycle
Select the longest, hardest working wash cycle. (Usually this is the Heavy Duty cycle.) This setting runs longer than the Normal setting and has higher agitation, if your washer has an agitator. It also typically includes a fast spin cycle to remove as much moisture as possible.
Step Five: Wipe Down the Interior and Exterior
Fill the spray bottle halfway with vinegar, then top it up with water. When the cycle is complete, spray the entire drum, the gasket around the door, the handle, and the detergent compartment or drawer with the diluted vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe everything down with the towel. If you have a front-loading washing machine, be sure to leave the door and detergent drawer open to air-dry.
Cleaning your washing machine is a worthwhile addition to your overall cleaning routine. Doing it regularly will help ensure your washing machine is working effectively for years to come.
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Angela Belt is the contributing Assistant Shopping Editor at House Beautiful. She's also an interior designer and is the host of her own podcast, The Mood Board. When it comes to design, she's an esteemed expert with some of her work also appearing in HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens, The Washington Post, and more.
