Your faithful washing machine, tirelessly cleaning load after load, deserves a little TLC too. Over time, soap scum, mineral deposits, and mildew can build up inside the machine, affecting its performance and even the cleanliness of your laundry. But fear not, we're here to guide you through the art of washing machine cleaning, ensuring it stays in top-notch condition and continues to be your laundry hero. Let's roll up our sleeves and learn two methods for how to clean a washing machine.
How to Clean a Washing Machine with Vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent DIY washing machine cleaner that you likely already have in your home.
Step 1. Choose your settings
Set your machine to its hottest water temperature and largest load settings.
Step 2. Run a Cycle with Vinegar
Add two to four cups of vinegar either via the detergent dispenser or directly in the drum. Let the machine run a full cycle to fully disperse the vinegar and clean the inside of the drum.
Step 3. Scrub
Deep clean the agitator, the detergent tray, and any dispensers by scrubbing them with an old toothbrush and baking soda. Be sure to get into those crevices!
Step 4. Clean the Outside
Wipe down the outside of the machine with a Swedish Dish Cloth soaking in water and white vinegar solution.
Step 5. Rinse
Run the machine on a hot water cycle to to flush out any remaining vinegar. Wipe down the inside of the machine with a Swedish Dish Cloth, then leave the door to the washer open to dry. A sparkly, great cleaning washing machine has never been so easy to achieve!
How to Clean a Washing Machine with Oxi Booster Pods
If you’re looking for something a bit stronger (or better smelling) than vinegar, but don’t want to use harsh chemicals like bleach, we have the perfect solution: Dropps Oxi Booster Pods.
Step 1. Add Two Oxi Booster Pods
Place two Oxi Booster Pods directly into the empty drum of your washing machine. Oxi Booster Pods are a chlorine-free bleach alternative, which maintains the cleaning power of bleach without the harsh chemicals or risk of staining your clothing. It’s a perfect product for deep cleaning nearly anything.
Step 2. Select Your Cycle
Now it’s time to run the machine! If your washer has a cleaning cycle for washing machine, select the “Clean Washer” cycle. If not, run a normal or heavy cycle with hot water. The pods will dissolve and clean the inside of the machine during the cycle, much like they would clean your clothes!
Step 3. Scrub
Dissolve an Oxi Booster in a basin of warm water to create an Oxi Booster solution. Deep clean the agitator, the detergent tray, and any dispensers by scrubbing them with an old toothbrush and the Oxi Booster solution. Be sure to get into those crevices!
Step 4. Clean the Outside
Dip a Swedish Dish Cloth into the remainder of the Oxi Booster solution, and use it to wipe down the outside of the washing machine. You’ve now cleaned all parts of your washing machine with just one product. Talk about multitalented!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about how to clean a washing machine? We’re here to help.
What is the best way to clean a washing machine?
There are many methods for washing machine cleaning, but what is the best way to clean washing machine? We recommend using either white vinegar or Oxi Booster Pods, depending on how deep a clean you desire and what products you already have in your home!
What can you run through a washing machine to clean it?
When it comes to what to use to clean washing machines, you have several options. You can run white vinegar and Oxi Booster Pods through a washing machine to clean it. Vinegar helps remove soap scum and mineral deposits, while Oxi Booster Pods tackle odors and help scrub away dirt.
Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?
Both bleach and vinegar are effective for cleaning a washing machine, but vinegar is often preferred as it is less harsh and has natural deodorizing properties. Instead of bleach, we recommend using a chlorine-free oxygen bleach, like Oxi Booster Pods.
How do you clean a whole washing machine?
Our guides above will teach you how to clean a washing machine from top to bottom!