Your washer will struggle to produce spotless, fresh clothes if you don’t clean it. Even worse, neglecting to clean your washer will shorten its lifespan, and you will need the services of a junk removal company. Get the best out of your washer and dryer by cleaning them every six months.
If you don’t know how to clean your top- or front-load washer, you are in luck because we are about to tell you how to do it the right way. Let’s dive into our clean washer and dryer guide.
How to Clean Your Washer and Dryer
Your washing machine accumulates dirt every time you use it. Leaving this dirt will lead to residue and musty odors on your clothes. Avoid such issues and keep laundry day water- and energy-efficient by following these washer and dryer cleaning steps.
1. Choose a Washing Machine Cleaner
Several top-shelf washing machine cleaning tablets and solutions are available, but you can save money using what you already have at home. For instance, you can effectively clean your washing machine with:
- Bleach
- Borax
- Peroxide
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
Note that mixing vinegar and bleach is unsafe.
2. Clean the Washing Machine Tub
Regardless of if you have a front, side, or top-load washing machine, the first place to clean is the wash tub. Most modern machines feature a clean cycle that enables washers to self-clean. If your machine doesn’t have a clean cycle or you want a more thorough and hands-on cleaning, here’s how to do tub cleaning with different cleaning solutions.
With Bleach:
- Empty the washer tub.
- Set the washer to a normal warm wash and rinse setting.
- Load the detergent compartment with half a cup of bleach, or if there’s a bleach compartment, fill it to the brim with bleach.
- Start the washer and empty it once the cycle is over.
With Peroxide
- Empty the washing machine.
- Set the washer to the hottest setting and fill it to maximum capacity.
- Pour two cups of hydrogen peroxide into the tub.
- Run the washer and empty it once the cycle is over.
With Vinegar and Baking Soda
- Empty the tub.
- Fill the washer with hot water.
- Add three to four cups of white vinegar.
- Once the washer starts agitating, stop the cycle.
- Leave the tub to soak in the vinegar solution for a minute.
- Add half a cup of baking soda and let the washer start agitating again.
- Pause the cycle after a few minutes, and let the vinegar and baking soda solution soak into the tub for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Continue the wash cycle, and empty the tub once the washer stops.
- Repeat the process until your washing machine tub is as clean as you want.
With Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets
- Empty the washing machine.
- Drop a tablet into the tub.
- Run a normal cycle with hot water.
- Drain the tub once the cycle ends.
With Oxygen Bleach or Borax and Washing Soda
- For front loaders, empty the washer, and add two tablespoons of oxygen bleach or borax and two tablespoons of washing soda.
- For top loaders, empty the tub and pour in half a cup of each powder.
- Run the washer at the highest setting with hot water or use the machine’s “Clean Tub” setting.
- When the cycle ends, pour vinegar into the washer tub (two cups for a front loader and a quarter of a cup for top loaders).
- Run another hot water wash cycle for a few minutes before pausing it.
- Let the vinegar solution soak the tub for 30 minutes before resuming the cycle.
- Once the cycle ends, drain the tub and wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth.
Let’s now look at how to thoroughly clean the rest of a front and top loader washer.
3. Clean the Washing Machine Exterior
Due to their design, front-load washers tend to accumulate dirt faster than top-load washers. They are also more likely to develop odors from mold or mildew. Cleaning your front-load machine at least every six months will reduce the chances of such issues developing and compromising your laundry.
Here’s how to clean the rest of your front-load or top-load washer after cleaning the wash tub:
- Soak and clean your detergent trays, drawers, and other removable components (check the owner’s manual for how to remove these components).
- Spray your cleaning solution on the washer’s body and clean it with a damp cloth.
- Clean the filters and agitators
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the door or lid gasket and hinges, then wipe it down with vinegar or bleach.
- Use a microfiber cloth to dry the lid and the interior of the tub.
- Wipe down the whole washing machine and leave it open to air dry.
4. Clean your Dryer
After every use, remove your dryer’s lint filter, remove all lint and debris, and replace the filter. A clogged lint filter will result in damp clothes and higher energy costs because you’ll need to run the dryer for longer to dry clothes effectively.
Gently wash the dryer lint filter in warm, soapy water every three months to remove buildup and residue that reduces the dryer’s efficiency. Inspect the dryer for scuffs and scratches. Touch these up as needed with paint to prevent rust from forming.
The Bay Area’s Preferred Junk Removal Company
Proper cleaning according to this clean washer and dryer guide paired with regular maintenance will prolong the life of your washer by several years, but all appliances eventually break down. When it’s time to buy a new washer-dryer, don’t just toss your old one on the street. Get in touch with the Nixxit Junk Removal team to help dispose of your old washer or dryer in the most environmentally friendly way.
We are a locally owned, woman-owned business with years of experience providing eco-friendly junk removal services to homes and businesses all over the Bay Area. Our fully licensed and insured team handles everything from small pickups to full property cleanouts. Book a pickup online with the certified California Green Nixxit Junk Removal team today.
