Hi there Somewhat Simple readers! I am so excited to be here with you today. I am Anna of Ask Anna, I’m a new contributor to Somewhat Simple, and I’m excited to start sharing cleaning and organizing tips with you ever month. Today, I’m going to share one of my most popular posts, and one of Stephanie’s favorites: How to Clean your Washing Machine. So here we go…
When I first wrote this post back in February my washing machine was in desperate need of a good cleaning, just look at this picture, ewww!
Step 1: Fill the washing machine up and pour in 2 cups of white vinegar. Let it set for 1 hour.
Step 2: Start the washing machine over again and let it run through a complete cycle.
When the machine drains if it still has grime on it use a sponge and scrub it down really well. Add straight white vinegar to the sponge for the best results.
Look at how much better that is!
Step 3: Fill washing machine up again and pour in 2 cups of bleach. Let it soak for 1 hour.
While it is soaking use Q-Tips dipped in white vinegar to detail all the nooks and crannies. My washer hadn’t been cleaned since my dad bought it 15+ years ago so it needed a good detailing! Don’t forget to clean the knobs and the lid too.
Step 4: Restart the washing machine and let it run through a complete cycle.
Once the cycle has finished you are done; your washing machine will be clean and shiny!
If you have a front-loading machine, don’t worry, you can use these same steps to clean your washing machine but with a few modifications. Instead of putting the vinegar and bleach directly in the tub and then letting them soak for an hour {steps 1 & 3}, you will put each ingredient {at the appropriate step} in the detergent dispenser and run the machine through a complete cycle.
I think the pictures speak for themselves, isn’t the transformation amazing!? I definitely won’t be waiting another 15+ years to do this again. I recommend cleaning your washing machine at least once a year, it’s a great task to add to your Spring Cleaning list!
Thank you for having me here today and I look forward to seeing you next month!
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Thank you so much for this advice. I have been wondering how to clean my washer. It has a grime ring and it is disgusting. I’m going to give this a try.
You’re welcome Jessica! You will love the results.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Great tip!! Thanks for sharing! I am sure after this warm humid summer mine will need a good washing!
You’re welcome Tonia!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
It makes me wish that cleaning my bathtub was that easy!
It is! You can use these same steps to clean your bath tub OR you can mix together a paste of water and baking soda and scrub the tub with that. Either way will have your tub sparkly clean in no time!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Ah! I love this post!!!!
Thank you Stephanie.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Dumb question! will is get rid of fabric softener build-up? I have teenagers that don’t know what measuring means!
That’s not a dumb question at all! The answer is yes it will! However if your washing machine is already pretty clean, just has a layer of softener build-up, you can mix together a paste of baking soda and water which will cut through the grime. Use a sponge and coat the washing machine barrel with the mixture, let set 5-10 minutes and then scrub clean. Fill the washer up and let it run through a cycle before washing any clothes, just to make sure all the excess build-up has been washed out.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
This is awesome! Definitely added to my weekend to do list!
Awesome! Thanks Sarah.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Just this week I was wondering how to go about cleaning my washing machine. How wonderful it was to read this post!! One thing though, bleach gives me migraines. What would you recommend to use instead?
I would 1 cup of baking soda in the water instead. Baking soda is so versatile but one of the things it’s very good at is whitening! If you can’t ever bleach your whites because the smell bothers you, throw 1/4 cup of baking soda in the washing machine when you run the load of white clothes, it will keep them sparkly white.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
great! Thanks so much for sharing Ive been wondering this for so long!! My washer needs a good cleaning esp with my husband’s work clothes (hes a mechanic) my question is how do you clean inside the aggitator? you know that open part on the top? Mine wont come off
Rhiannon if you’re husband’s clothes are greasy I’d recommend throwing a 1/2 cup of baking soda in the load when you wash his clothes. Baking soda will cut through the grease and make washing his clothes a little easier on your washing machine. As far as the center part, I wrote a post on that awhile back. I didn’t think mine came off either until I wrote this post. Here’s the link: http://www.askannamoseley.com/2011/03/reader-question-fluff-on-laundry.html
I hope that helps!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Ah-Ha!! thanks sooo much for this! I am going to try it this weekend before laundry saturday!
my husband is a mechanic also, and my washer and aggitator are N-A-S-T-Y! can’t wait to try this method, thank you!
(found this on pinterest!)
Wow — it looks brand new! I’ll have to keep this in mind and do it every year when I spring clean. Thanks so much for sharing.
You’re welcome! I was pretty amazed at the results myself. I didn’t think it would ever be white again!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
I had to go look inside my washing machine after reading this post as I am so unobservant about things like this! Who would have thought that you needed to wash the tub but sure enough I am going to have to use your suggestion and give her a good washing!
Haha, that’s funny.
I bet after cleaning it you WILL notice how clean it is!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Wow! I’ve added vinegar to it before, but I didn’t let it soak. This looks so much better! And I never thought about using a q-tip to clean all those little hiding spots for dirt. Thanks for the tips! Can’t wait to clean it when I get home.
I soooo need to do this….thanks for the tips!
You’re welcome!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Just what I needed! I’ll be sharing this with my readers, too. Thank you!
Awesome! Thanks Jamie.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
This is great! I live in a rental house so who knows if the washer has ever been cleaned….it smells horrible! I can’t wait to try this!
Krista
I never even thought about rental washers! Make sure you add a some baking soda the vinegar soak. It will help to eliminate the odor.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Will hard ward build up stain also go using the baking soda tip. Please help, the water is so hard in the neighborhood where i live!
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It might help but the best thing for getting rid of hard water stains is the vinegar. Here is a post I wrote awhile back, it will help you with your faucets too.
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Oops, forgot to add the link: http://www.askannamoseley.com/2011/03/reader-question-cleaning-oil-rubbed.html
FABULOUS tip! I have use vinegar (and bleach) but never together and I haven’t let them soak. I’ll be trying this today!
Awesome! How did it go?
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Just did this today–even though I should be packing for our week-long drive, or finishing getting a wedding gift ready, or something like that. At least it will make doing laundry more pleasant, as that’s on my to-do list too
Haha, sounds like me.
Anything to procrastinate a little longer on packing and doing laundry!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
This worked so well! I just did it today, and am thrilled with how easy it was. I’ll be sharing a link to this with my readers!
Hello. My washer has been leaving dingy spots on my whites. Do you know if this cleaning tactic will help resolve this problem?
I would definitely try this. I also wrote another post on my blog about cleaning the filter part of the washer. Here is the link: http://www.askannamoseley.com/2011/03/reader-question-fluff-on-laundry.html. I would try cleaning the filter as well. Cleaning the washing machine inside and all around, should take care of the dingy spots problem. If not then let me know!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
I had to call a repair man because my washer was leaving oily spots on my clothes. He took out the agitator and I was shocked. It had a grease buildup like a car engine. He had me run Tide through it a couple of times and magic – it was gone. He said even if I didn’t use Tide to run some through about every 6 months to keep it clean.
So many years of struggle cleaning my washer machine!!!!!! thanks for this tips.
You’re welcome!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
I missed a green crayon in my daughters pocket and of course it got washed…the water was so hot it melted the crayon on the clothes and the washer tub…will this method help with getting the crayon off the tub and the clothes?
I’m not sure how to get the crayon wax out of your clothes but I would wipe the washing machine out with a magic eraser to remove the wax from the tub. Magic Erasers are great for getting crayon wax off walls so it should work beautifully on your washer. After using the ME on the tub then you can use the above instructions to finish cleaning the washer.
Good luck!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
I did this & was thrilled. BUT, for some reason, my washing machine smells REALLY musty! I don’t know if water sloshed over the edge and is now in a spot that doesn’t drain or something. Any tips why I have this awful musty odor after cleaning with vinegar & bleach? I did remove the lint trap and clean that before doing the vinegar & bleach.
Great post! Hope you don’t mind but I linked this artical on my blog http://www.frugalfitmom.wordpress.com
This def makes the cut!
I am doing a post on spring cleaning and great cheap ideas
The problem is the soap scum in the inside of the drum. I can only reach inside so far, but what I have come up with is not nice. Do I have to take the machine apart to take care of this? Can I take it apart?
I should add that this is a combination washer dryer (stacked). Not my choice but that’s what is here.
I’m sorry, I don’t have any experience with stacked washer/dryers. I would only take it apart if you are confident you can put it back together, might want to call a washer/dryer shop and ask them about how to clean it.
Sorry I can’t be more help. :/
Anna
Wow! I am looking forward to trying this ASAP
I didn’t notice if you recommend cold or warm or hot water for the soak of the wash tub? Does it matter?
Thanks!
I used warm water but I’m sure it doesn’t make a big difference. I’m just to cheap to pay for all that hot water.
Anna
I did not see anything on cleaning a front loading washing machine. Any hints for that one? And the grime that gets in around the barrel on the front loader? Thanks! Emily
Emily here at the end of this post I talk about how to clean a front loading washing machine: http://www.askannamoseley.com/2011/02/reader-question-cleaning-your-washing.html. This is also a great article that one of my readers found on Real Simple’s website: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/mildew-smell-washing-machine-00100000076004/
I hope that helps!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
How do you get the mold out of the rubber gasket on the front loading washing machine?
I don’t have a front loader but one of my readers sent me this link for cleaning them. You might want to check it out. http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/mildew-smell-washing-machine-00100000076004/
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Thanks! The last cycle is running now!
Woo-hoo!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
i’m very happy, my washing machine smells refreshed, but i’ve got a problem, now my mahine is leaking on beneath! Can it be because of the bleaching?
My sister-in-law advised my to clean the filter andnow my mashine is as newborn! I didn’t know how to do it, but I’m relieved and satisfied
Oh good!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Are these suggestions safe for high efficiency washing machines?
Yes they are. You can also check out this post that one of my readers found for me: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/mildew-smell-washing-machine-00100000076004/
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
As a paramedic I must add: NEVER mix bleach and vinegar. The mixture causes chlorine fumes which can be fatal or cause serious breathing issues. Be safe. Never mix any chemicals.
When I snapped off the fabric softener dispenser and took it to the sink to deep clean, I noticed a ring that snaps down to attach the softener dispenser to the agitator. I snapped this ring up and found hardened fabric softener inside. WOW! I’m sure this had never been cleaned. It was soo nasty! Now my washer is sparkling clean – going to use the baking soda/water paste to deep clean the tub and shower stall next. Thanks for this – found on Pinterest.
Thanks for the tip. I have my softener dispenser is horrible inside. I couldn’t really see a tip to clean it after the dispenser part is taken out to clean inside the agitator. I can’t get my hand inside it. HELP!
Does it matter if I use Hot, Cold, or Warm Water?
Thank you so much for this tip! My boyfriend’s clothes always have mud on them, especially his pants and it makes our washing machine dirty sometimes. This will definitely help and hopefully using baking soda instead of bleach will work just as well.
Just finished the vinegar soak and wiping down. It doesn’t look any different. Is this because of hard water?
It could be, or from years of build up. I poured straight vinegar on an sponge and scrubbed mine and that made a huge difference.
Good luck!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com
Great article! It really helped but I was wondering if you had any advice for rust spots in the washer?
Here’s a post that I wrote that includes how to get rid of rust stains: http://www.askannamoseley.com/2012/03/vinegar-restoration-revitalization.html. You actually use vinegar so after the vinegar soak I’d give those rust spots a little extra scrubbing and it should take care of them!
Anna
http://www.askannamoseley.com