Ok, so that title sounds funny, right? You’d think the washing machine would not need to be cleaned but if you have a front loader like I do, it does! I posted recently about cleaning your dishwasher and one of my friends from school asked me to post about how to clean the washing machine.
So here’s what I did: I started by a simple cleaning of the outside with wipes and some windex on the window of the washer. I wiped the side of the door with the wipes and on the front of the inside of the machine. I took a damp soft cloth and wipes all around the rubber inside and out. I cleaned up the detergent cups just using the wipes. Once I was happy that any dirt or build I could see was gone I addressed the inside. Since my vinegar and baking soda worked so well on the dishwasher I thought I’d try it in the machine as well. I poured one 16oz container of vinegar into the drum and filled the detergent cups about halfway with baking soda. I set a cycle for the Sanitary setting and let it go.
I was pleasantly surprised that it came our really clean and it smelled fresh! I think it’s just the nature of the washer that you need to keep air circulating but this is a great way to get it smelling good again. This is a simple and inexpensive way to clean it opposed to buying the washing machine packs that are super expensive (I have tried them and I don’t think they worked that great). The bottle of vinegar and baking soda needed totals around $1 and no harsh chemicals. I think next time I’ll add some lemon juice to the vinegar and see how that works. These Lysol wipes * are my favorite as they have a scrubby side and a soft side.
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This sounds like a simple, practical, inexpensive way to clean the washing machine. I have a basic top loader, no detergent or rinse cups, and no windows. But powdered detergent can build up and be hard to get off the lid and rim. Vinegar ought to work. Thanks!
Give it a try Jewell, let me know how it works! Thanks for coming by!!
I have a top loader washer that I have had for about a year. I noticed after a while it has begun to have a funky odor. I have tried those washing machine packets and you are right, they don’t work that great. I’m going to try your method of vinegar and baking soda.
Hi Christy, Let me know how it goes!