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Doc’s Guide to Cleaning Your Washer

Docs Appliance • April 20, 2017

Most everyone knows how to use a washing machine to clean their clothes, but what about cleaning the machine itself? Keeping your washer clean is a regular part of maintenance, and ensures your machine is operating at peak efficiency.

Better yet, a clean machine will run smoothly and help you avoid breakdowns and repairs. With that in mind, it may be time to roll up those sleeves and clean out any soap, dirt, or other gunk in your machine.

Note that top loaders and front loaders should be cleaned differently. We’ve outlined a quick guide for each. As always, read your owner’s manual first!

Top Loaders:

  1. Set your washer to run on the largest load setting with hot water, but run it empty. Set aside some time to clean the washer without worrying about any laundry. While the water is filling, add three or four cups of white vinegar to the water and let the machine shake to disperse the vinegar throughout the water.
  2. Add some baking soda. Add a half cup of baking soda to the machine, letting it agitate again to mix in. Then stop the water and let it sit for an hour. Trust us, it’s good for it! The hot water, vinegar, and baking soda are all natural ingredients that will help get rid of gunk and unpleasant smells.
  3. Scrub the extremities. While you’re waiting on the mixture to soak in, grab a rag or an old toothbrush to scrub the top of the washer, fabric softener dispensers, and the top of the wash bin.
  4. Let the washing cycle finish, then run another empty hot wash cycle through for good measure. This will ensure that any gunk has drained through along with the vinegar and baking soda. You don’t want any of that getting on your clothes!
  5. And you’re done!

Front Loaders:

  1. Mix one-quarter of a cup of baking soda with water with one-quarter of a cup of baking soda. Pour this concoction into the detergent container of your machine, and add 2 cups of vinegar to the drum. Run the machine on the hot water setting with the largest load. Sit back and relax while this naturally cleaning solution does the heavy lifting.
  2. Grab a rag or an old toothbrush and start scrubbing. The baking soda and vinegar will either wash dirt and gunk away or loosen it up. For any tough spots, hit it with a scrubber. Wipe everything down with water when you’re finished.
  3. You’re all done!

We also carry washing machine cleaner in our store. If you would rather buy the cleaner rather than making your own concoction we can help you.

Still confused about how to clean your washing machine? Wondering about other tips for maintaining your washer? Follow our blog for more advice or call us today to talk to an expert.

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