Washing Machine Cleaning Tutorial

5 Materials
$5
30 Minutes
Easy

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Even though your washing machine is used for washing things….it still needs to be cleaned! Learn how to clean your washing machine naturally in this easy step by step tutorial.


By following these steps for how to clean washing machine, you’ll be able to solve mold, mildew & gross smells coming from your washer!

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE?

Well, in our case, it was more than obvious! If dirty pictures gross you out – quick, scroll ahead!


It was in desperate need of a deep cleaning, so I thought it would be a perfect chance to teach you how to clean your washing machine! I think you’re going to love this tutorial!

MAKE VINEGAR CLEANING SOLUTION.

I mix about half water and half white distilled cleaning vinegar. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can mix in some essential oils. I added about 10 drops of lavender.

WIPE DOWN WASHING MACHINE.

Dip a cleaning rag in your vinegar/water solution and start wiping! 

I usually wipe down the washing machine in this order:

-Entire outside

-Inside of door

-The rubber seal

CLEAN SOAP TRAYS AND DRAWER.

Remove your soap trays and wash those in the sink. Wipe down the entire inside of the drawer with the rag soaked with the vinegar solution.

EMPTY FILTER.

Be sure you take out the filter and get all the gunk out. 

CLEAN RUBBER GASKET OF WASHING MACHINE.

Sprinkle rubber seal with baking soda. Then grab the rag, wipe everything again.


RUN WASHING MACHINE CLEAN CYCLE.

Toss the rest of your baking soda into the drum of the washing machine along with any towels or rags you used.


After your washing machine is done with the clean cycle, open the door immediately and wipe everything down again.

Cleaning your washing machine is a not so fun part of adulting, but if you stay on top of it, it shouldn’t take long to get your front loading washing machine spic and span again! 


If you love these cleaning tips and want to learn more like it, be sure to check out all of my cleaning & organizing tutorials in the archives here!

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Chelsea @ Making Manzanita
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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 33 questions
  • Jeanne Bratton Jeanne Bratton on Oct 09, 2019

    I can’t find the filter in my machine

  • Sandy Sandy on Mar 25, 2020

    I’ve tried, I don’t know how many times, but I can’t get that rubber seal to move at all. I’m afraid if I really force it, it might crack or break. It’s a top loader. Any ideas?

  • How does one go about a good cleaning with a top loading washing machine?

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3 of 65 comments
  • Lynn Lynn on Mar 28, 2022

    Am I the only one saying 'there's a filter?'--don't I feel like an idiot! Thanks for sharing--gonna be cleaning a filter today!

  • Erin Erin on Mar 23, 2023

    This is why I bought a top load machine!

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