Easy Steps for a Washing Machine Deep Clean

Do you need to give your washing machine a deep clean but you don't know where to start?  Here are the easy steps for a washing machine deep clean!

I think we can all admit that deep cleaning your washing machine is the last thing on your mind when it comes to cleaning your home.  However, you would be shocked at how necessary it actually is to keep clean.  And trust me, it's not as hard as you would think.

Whether you have kids, pets, roommates, etc. our washing machine takes more of a beating than we realize.  When I moved into our home a few years ago, I never really considered the fact that the washer needed to be cleaned.  This year I did a ton of research and finally tackled the project.  

I'm here to share some extremely helpful tips and tricks for a thorough washing machine deep clean.  You will be so thrilled with the results!   And overall, the machine will function much more efficiently.  

I would say this process took me no more than half an hour from start to finish.  The next time you find yourself with a little extra time to clean, give it a shot!

This post is all about easy steps for a washing machine deep clean!

How to Clean Washing Machine Top Loader

These before & after photos are no joke.  I'm normally a very clean person, but even I forget that certain areas need regular cleaning.  When I first realized how bad some of these areas were, I immediately started looking up how to deep clean your washing machine.  I've compiled everything I learned here so that the information is easy to find! 

There truly aren't that many steps when it comes to deep cleaning your washing machine.  However, it's important to remember that if you haven't been maintaining the machine, the first deep clean will take a bit longer.  Just remember that if you put the elbow grease in now, the following cleans won't take you nearly as long. 

Below is the list of steps to take:

1. Determine problem areas inside the machine
2. Wipe down the bleach tray & detergent/softener tray
3. Run bleach through the machine on the hottest cycle
4. Wipe down the outside of the machine

I will go in-depth on each of these steps below.  But before you can start, you will need to gather the cleaning supplies.  I did not use anything fancy for this project.  I had everything on hand which made the process a lot easier! 

Supplies you'll need:

1. Hot Water - You will run the hottest cycle at the end of the process & you will need to rinse the removable trays
2. Dish Soap - Used on the removable trays
3. Bleach - Used to run through the machine
4. Multi-surface cleaner - Used to wipe down the outside & inside of the machine
5. Microfiber Towel - Used to wipe down the inside & outside of the machine
6. Cleaning Brush / Tooth Brush - Used on tough surfaces on the inside of the machine & trays

Now that you have everything you need, you can get started! 

Here are some helpful links for products I used in case you do not have everything I did on hand! 

I would suggest starting by opening your washing machine and taking a look around.  Obviously, you know the areas that you use often like the bleach or detergent trays.  However, there might be areas that you've never noticed before like the top of the drum or where the lid and machine meet.  These areas are known to collect dirt, debris, mold, hair, etc.  They can cause terrible odors and can keep your machine from running properly.  

I took a good look at all of the areas that were visible and made a mental note of what needed to be cleaned.  For some machines, there could be filters or hoses that need to be cleaned out or emptied.  Make sure you consult your manual or look your machine up online to make sure you aren't missing anything.  

Time to Clean

Once you have determined which areas you need to tackle, grab your multi-surface cleaner and spray down any areas with mold, mildew, hair, dirt, etc.  For my machine, this was the top of the drum, the built-in bleach tray, and some crevices near the lid.  

For the areas with a lot of build-up, I made sure to spray generously and let the product sit for as long as possible.  This made it easy to wipe the areas clean.  For tougher spots, I used either a cleaning brush or a toothbrush I use for cleaning to get in the touch to reach areas.  Remember, you may need to get creative!   

Removable Tray

For the removable tray, I used Dawn Powerwash, my Scrub Daddy Sponge, and a toothbrush to remove all of the mold and mildew.  This was long overdue so I started by soaking the pieces of the tray in vinegar and extremely hot water.  This helped loosen everything up.  Once I was done I gave it a really good rinse.  Check to see if your tray comes apart because there was mildew in all sorts of hidden places! 

Once I got the inside of the machine fully wiped down, I emptied a few quarts of bleach straight into the drum and ran the longest, hottest cycle I could.  The agitation from the machine was just enough to ensure the bleach and water hit all areas of the drum.  If needed, stop the cycle halfway through and use a rag to wipe down the inside of the drum.  

While the cycle was running,  I used the multi-surface cleaner and a microfiber towel to full wipe down the outside of the machine.  I even had enough time to tackle the outside of the dryer.  Drop a comment down below if you are interested in a post on how to deep clean your dryer! 

Once the machine was clean, I ran a normal load of laundry.  And let me tell you, there was a world of a difference.  There were no odors, our clothes felt cleaner, and I was no longer grossed out every time I used the detergent tray haha. 

Now What?

As disgusting as our machine was, I was so glad that I got that first deep clean out of the way.  As with anything, it is extremely important to stay on top of these deep cleans as regularly as possible.  For large families or families with a lot of pets, you may be doing this more often.  For houses with just a few people, I would suggest doing this every three months or so.  

Overall, these deep cleans will keep your machine running properly and will allow you to use it for years to come.  And remember, it can never hurt to research your machine online so you can make sure you aren't missing any important maintenance steps.

Be sure to comment below if you have any tips, tricks, or suggestions that you have found helpful!

This post is all about easy steps for a washing machine deep clean!

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