A quick and easy guide on how to clean your washing machine so your clothes always smell fresh.
Have you noticed that your washing machine is smelling? Or that your clothes stink even straight after washing them? This is the most common sign that your washing machine is due for a deep clean. In this article, we will explore the 3 main reasons for bad odors developing in your washing machine, and how you can fix them.
Cleaning a washing machine may at first glance seem counterintuitive. Why clean something that is constantly running wash cycles? However, when you consider the amount of dirt, sweat, oils and bacteria that our washing machine encounters daily, it makes sense that they can start to smell after a while! Over time, dirt, grime, and residues from detergent and fabric softeners can build up inside the machine. This can lead to odors, reduced cleaning efficiency, and even potential damage. Knowing how to clean your washing machine is essential to keep it running smoothly, ensuring your clothes come out fresh and clean every time.
Empty and Clean the Drain Plug
Many people don’t know that their washing machine has a drain plug (AKA drain trap), which needs to be emptied and cleaned regularly. Drain plugs collect lint, hair and small items such as buttons, which separate from your clothes during the wash cycle. If this is not cleaned regularly, it can cause issues for your washing machine such as stinking, shaking or not draining properly. The experts at Electrolux recommend to do this at least once every 2 months.
How to clean your Drain Plug:
Step 1: Locate the Filter.
Consult your manual to find the location of the filter. For front loaders, it can typically be found on the front-bottom section of the machine. For top loaders, it may be in a less conspicuous location such as the end of your drainage hose at the back of your machine.
Step 2: Open the drain hose
Lay towels out on the floor and have a small bucket handy before completing this step. Open the small hose and let any water empty itself into a small bucket.
Step 3: Remove Filter and Clean
For most machines, the filter may be removed by twisting it to open, then pulling it out. Rinse it under hot water to remove any debris. Use a toothbrush to scrub stubborn dirt.
Run a Cleaning Cycle
Running a cleaning cycle is the simplest way to refresh your washing machine. Because most people use cold water to wash their clothes, “dirt, bacteria and even fungus can build up in your washing machine,” says Cleaning and Appliance Expert Chris Charais from Family Handyman. Chris suggests that running regular cleaning cycles with hot water is imperative to remove nasty buildup. “If your washing machine doesn’t have a cleaning cycle, you can accomplish this by running a cycle with hot water, extra rinse and half a cup of bleach.” If you would rather avoid using strong chemicals, the bleach may be substituted for vinegar.
Clean out the Internal Surfaces of Your Washing Machine
If you haven’t cleaned your washing machine in a while, it is definitely worth wiping out the internal surfaces to remove any stubborn oil, bacteria or debris that may be living there. The experts at Samsung Appliances recommend doing this once a month for optimum results.
Step 1: Cleaning the Washing Machine Drum
Using a microfiber cloth, wipe the inside of the drum with household vinegar. This will dissolve any oils that have built up over time in the grooves of the drum. Use a toothbrush to scrub off any stubborn debris you might encounter. Once satisfied, sprinkle baking soda generously throughout the entire washing machine drum. Baking soda acts as an excellent neutralizer of bad odors that may be lingering there. Once complete, run a rinse cycle on the hottest setting. Depending on how much time you have, this could be a short cycle with hot water. If you are wanting a more thorough clean, please refer to our Cleaning Cycle advice.
Step 2: Cleaning the Dispensers
A commonly neglected spot in washing machines is the soap dispensers. Soap dispensers can benefit from occasional cleaning to remove any soap scum, oil fabric softener or dust buildup that may occur over time.
- Remove and Soak: Take out detergent dispensers and soak them in hot water mixed with a few drops of dish soap. This will remove any oil, soap scum or bacteria buildup.
- Scrub: Use an old toothbrush to scrub away any residues. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.
Step 3: Clean the Seals and Gaskets
Washing machine seals are often culprits for housing mold and bacteria build up. It is important to wipe these down regularly to avoid permanent damage to their surfaces. The experts at Beko Appliances recommend doing this every 1-3 months.
- How to Clean: Dip a microfiber cloth in vinegar and wipe the seals thoroughly, ensuring to reach all crevices in between the folds of the seal. Use a toothbrush to scrub stubborn spots and difficult to reach corners.
- Ongoing maintenance: Slow down the buildup of bacteria in the seals by leaving your washing machine door open in between washes to let them dry out thoroughly.
Quick and Easy Ways to Maintain a Clean Washing Machine
The best way to prevent your washing machine from smelling or not performing well is by adopting some quick and easy habits to slow down bacteria buildup.
Leave the door open in-between washes
Leaving the door of your washing machine open when not in use can make a massive difference to the rate at which bacteria and smells build up. Bacteria flourishes in warm, moist environments. Opening the door for long periods of time will allow your machine drum and seals to dry out in-between uses. This will slow down the growth of bacteria and smells, making your occasional deep cleans far more quick and easy.
Use High-Quality Detergents:
The types of soap we put in our washing machine makes a huge difference to the amount of product buildup that occurs, and thus our machine’s overall performance. It is important to note that when washing heavily-soiled items or cleaning your machine, it is not necessary to add extra washing detergent. This can actually do more harm than good, as it will prevent your machine from rinsing the soap effectively. This will speed up the buildup of soap residue, causing unnecessary wear to your machine.
Fabric softeners are also often found to leave oily residues that can harbour bacteria over time. A cost-effective substitution for fabric softeners is household vinegar. Vinegar is fantastic at softening fabrics, brightening whites and colours and reducing product build up in the inside of your washing machine.
Run Regular Cleaning Cycles:
Running a hot wash cycle with no clothes inside is a very easy way to reduce product buildup and bacteria in your washing machine over time. This can be done with household cleaners like bleach or vinegar. If you’d like to do a more targeted wash, you can use a specifically designed washing machine cleaning product. These will be gentle on the internal workings of your washing machine. Our two favourite washing machine cleaning products are:
- Dr. Beckmann’s Service-It Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner, available on Amazon
- Affresh Washer Machine Cleaner, available on Amazon.
Deep cleaning your washing machine doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With regular maintenance and a thorough deep clean every few months, you can ensure your machine continues to run efficiently, keeping your clothes fresh and clean. By following these steps and incorporating them into your household routine, you’ll extend the life of your washing machine and maintain optimal performance for years to come.