How to clean a top-loading washing machine

When your clean clothes don’t smell as fresh as they used to, it may be time to give your washing machine, a wash! On a top-loading washing machine , dirt and grime tend to get accumulated over time. In such a scenario, the laundry can become dingy and odorous. To keep your top-load washing machine in good working order, you should periodically clean it. Following are the steps you need to take.

What you need to clean a top-loading washing machine

Step 1: Empty the washing machine

Make sure you remove all the clothes from the washer drum. Detergent and fabric softener reservoirs should be empty as well.

Step 2: Water temperature setting

Select the water temperature to be on the hottest water setting. Set the largest load and longest wash cycle possible.

Step 3: Fill water

Fill the washer drum with water and allow it to heat before starting the washing cycle.

Step 4: Add the cleanser

Add four cups of either distilled white vinegar or chlorine bleach. Make sure not to use both the products in the same washing cycle as the combination can produce toxic chlorine gas which is highly hazardous.

Step 5: Run the washer cycle

Now you can begin with one complete washer with a rinse and spin cycle.

Step 6: Remove water

Drain the water after the completion of the washing cycle. Make sure to add more clean water and drain to completely remove chlorine bleach from the drum.

Step 7: Clean dispensers

If your detergent dispensers are removable then remove them for cleaning, submerge them in hot water in a bucket and then add a cup of heated distilled white vinegar. Let it soak for 15 minutes. If dispensers are not removable, then pour warm distilled warm vinegar. Allow the warm vinegar to sit in the dispensers for at least 15 minutes to loosen any residue. Remove any remaining residue from the dispensers using an old toothbrush after 15 minutes.

Step 8: Fill hot water again

Refill the drum of the washer with hot water after placing the freshly cleaned dispensers in place. Make sure you’re still using the large load and longest wash cycle settings.

Step 9: One cycle with distilled white vinegar

Add four cups of distilled white vinegar and set the washer to complete one cycle of washing, draining, and spinning.

Step 10: Clean outer hosing

Take a moment to wipe down the outer housing of your washer after the interior section is clean and fresh. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to warm water and make a solution. Take a microfiber or cotton cloth and dip it in the solution then wipe and remove dust, grime, and laundry product drips from the washer’s top and sides. Do not ignore knobs or electronic panels. Use an old toothbrush to get into the corners and tight spaces on the lid when you open the lid.

How to keep your top-load washer clean

When you’re finished deep cleaning your top-load washing machine, it’ll be ready for your next load. You should always keep checking your machine to ensure it is clean and fresh always. If you perform deep cleaning once a month, it will keep your machine in a healthy condition for longer.