How do I clean the inside of my washing machine?

Question

I want to make sure my washing machine is completely clean from inside including the pipes.

Mike5193 · Answer

Try a cup of CLR.

Stl8827483 · Answer

go to the store and buy washing machine cleaner.

Kathy Bitzan · Answer

I've seen some pretty grungy machines in my day.  I'm not a fanatic but I take a rag one a month and wipe down the insides and around the top by shifting the basin from side to side to get  inside.

Catrina · Answer

I use Tide washing machine cleaner. It leaves the machine sparkling clean and has a nice fresh scent.

Andi · Answer

Tea Tree Oil!!!!!!!

Gen7812770 · Answer

I've recently begun using  'Gain Washing Machine Cleaner,' and it works great!  I used to use 'Tide Washing Machine Cleaner,' and it didn't smell NEAR as great as when I use the 'Gain' brand!

Vicky Swycinsky · Answer

That isn't grease, it's mold that grows in dark moist areas.

Janelle Holman · Answer

You can clean the tub inside all you want and it may look clean but it's not.  My husband and I just recently had to take our drum apart to replace a seal between the drum and transmission. and what we found in between the inner and outer drum was almost 3/4 inch layer of sludge we ended up taking both parts of the drum outside and taking a plastic putty knife to scrape the majority of the sludge out before cleaning the rest out.   with doing all that and putting back together our clothes no longer have a sour smell to them when they get washed

Adrienne Bowley · Answer

It's most likely mold and mildew from being moist all the time (air doesn't get under the seal to dry it).  It's also sludge from lint, dirt, laundry detergent, and fabric softener that gets flung up in there and doesn't get washed away.  As someone else said, hot white vinegar and nylon scrubbie sponge with a good rinsing afterward would do the trick.  Using a non-chemical/green detergent and white vinegar as a rinse instead of plastic-y fabric softener would help.  Both of those would aid in keeping the drum and inside of the machine clean, too.  Good luck!

Sheila · Answer

Unfortunately you must clean it by hand and I have found using a paste of Borax and then running a cycle of hot water to rinse cleans it well.

Wbean · Answer

I was advised to use a dishwasher tablet and do a normal, hot wash (without clothes!!) and the mildew / power and softner residue will rinse away.  It's good practice to do it every month or every other month, depending on the regularity of use.  You will also find that leaving the door open after every wash (in order for the washing machine to dry out properly), will do the trick and your mildew problem should be a thing of the past.  Even better - if you're able to remove the soap/softner dispenser and rinse it and leave it till it's dry before replacing - this will give your machine time to dry.

Janelle Holman · Answer

your washing machine has 2 drums the inner (which you see and put the clothes in) and the  outer that the inner tub sits in.   My washer is a top load the whole top will lift up and there are plastic clips that pop up to allow the inner tub to come out once you have the agitator  out.     After the inner tub is out you can see all the sludge that has build up over the years.   I took a plastic putty knife to scrape out the worst of it and then used cleaner and a rag to do the rest, now my clothes don't stink after 15-20min of staying in the washer before going to the dryer

Deb K · Answer

Once you do get it clean, ensure that you leave the machine open after each load, this way it will dry out rather than create yuckies!

Kim |Exquisitely Unremarkable · Answer

I run a cup or two of white vinegar through the machine.

Mogie · Answer

I add a cup of vinegar every few loads.

Chloe Crabtree · Answer

Here is a step by step way to clean it from right here on Hometalk: https://www.hometalk.com/posts/clean/appliances/how-to-clean-your-washing-machine-using-vinegar-and-baking-soda-21697626

How do I clean the inside of my washing machine?

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How do I clean the inside of my washing machine?

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