Deep Clean Washing Machine: Use These Supplies to Keep It Sparkling
Learn how to deep clean your washing machine and keep it fresh! Discover 9 must-have products to remove grime, stains, and odors effectively.
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Your washing machine does the heavy lifting for your laundry, but how often are you giving it the care it deserves? Over time, detergent buildup, grime, and odors can collect inside your machine, especially in the detergent dispenser, leading to less effective washes—and even unwanted smells. The solution? A deep clean with the right supplies and maintenance routine to keep your washing machine running smoothly and your laundry smelling fresh. Adding baking soda in conjunction with white vinegar can help eliminate residue and odors during the cleaning process.
Here’s a roundup of powerful, eco-friendly, and practical products to deep clean and maintain your washing machine—and why they should be part of your cleaning arsenal.
Why Deep Cleaning Your Front Loading Washing Machine Matters
A washing machine is exposed to leftover detergent, fabric softener, and minerals from water after every cycle. When neglected, this buildup can lead to mold growth, unpleasant odors, and residue on your clothes. Cleaning the washing machine door and its gasket is crucial to prevent mold and odors. A regular cleaning routine ensures your washing machine stays efficient, odor-free, and in top working condition for years to come.
Using hot water during the cleaning process enhances the effectiveness of cleaning solutions like bleach and vinegar, ensuring a thorough clean.
Essential Products for a Deep Clean
This combo is a powerhouse when it comes to tackling stains, odors, and dirty washing machines. The laundry boosting powder targets tough stains like grease, sweat, and blood, while the cleaning tablets work their magic on your washing machine’s interior. For an even more efficient clean, use a spray bottle to apply cleaning solutions like white vinegar directly to the washer drum.
- Why it’s great: The bio-enzymatic formula digs deep to remove odor-causing buildup instead of masking it, while the eco-friendly cleaning tablets leave your machine sparkling clean.
- Perfect for: Heavy-duty stain removal and addressing musty smells in your washer.
For those pesky, hard-to-reach spots like the rubber gasket of a front loading machine, this gel mold remover is your go-to solution. Its unique formula clings to surfaces, ensuring a deep and thorough clean.
- Why it’s great: Unlike sprays or liquids, the gel formula stays in place to break down grime, mildew, and black stains effectively.
- Perfect for: Front-load washers or any appliance with tight, hard-to-reach areas.
This plant-based enzymatic cleaner deodorizes tough odors from sweat, oil, and other stains on fabrics. It boosts your usual detergent's power while keeping your washer fresh.
- Why it’s great: The fragrance-free, eco-friendly formula is gentle on fabrics but tough on stains and odors.
- Perfect for: Extending the life of both your clothes and your washing machine.
These all-in-one tablets are designed to clean multiple household appliances, but their deep descaling formula works wonders on washing machines. They remove hard water buildup and grime, ensuring your machine runs like new. Cleaning the washer drum regularly is crucial to prevent grime, mold, and mineral buildup.
- Why it’s great: Convenient and versatile, these cleaning tablets are compatible with most washing machines, including HE models.
- Perfect for: Monthly maintenance to keep your washer, dishwasher, and disposal in top shape.
While not directly used for cleaning your machine, these eco-friendly detergent strips leave zero buildup, ensuring your machine stays cleaner for longer. Plus, they’re compact and travel-friendly!
- Why it’s great: Plastic-free, biodegradable, and gentle on sensitive skin, these strips are a sustainable alternative to liquid detergents.
- Perfect for: Preventing detergent residue buildup and reducing your environmental footprint.
Sweaty gym clothes are no match for this specialized detergent. With plant-based enzymes and a machine cleaner included, this bundle helps eliminate odors in activewear while keeping your washing machine spotless.
- Why it’s great: The detergent prolongs the life of your workout clothes, while the instant-cleaning machine cleaner removes hard water buildup effortlessly.
- Perfect for: Gym enthusiasts and washers that regularly handle sweaty gear.
If your activewear is prone to odors and stains, this enzyme-based detergent will deep-clean your gym clothes while helping maintain your washing machine’s cleanliness over time.
- Why it’s great: It’s specifically designed to protect athletic fabrics and prevent odor-absorbing residue in your washing machine.
- Perfect for: Active lifestyles and frequent washing of workout clothes.
This two-in-one pack combines the cleaning power of enzyme-based powder with eco-friendly detergent sheets for a comprehensive laundry solution.
- Why it’s great: The powder removes tough stains while the detergent sheets prevent buildup, leaving your laundry and washer in perfect balance.
- Perfect for: Tackling stubborn stains with a fresh linen scent, all while preventing detergent residue inside your machine.
This convenient stain remover is perfect for parents on the go, offering fast and effective treatment for stubborn stains. By tackling tough stains on clothes before they go into the wash, you reduce the chances of residue buildup in your machine. Its gentle formula also ensures that fabrics are stain-free without leaving behind harsh chemicals that could affect your washer over time.
- Why it’s great: Its powerful, commercial-grade formula works on all types of stains, from baby food to grass, while being gentle and safe for both fabrics and your family.
- Perfect for: Quick stain treatments on clothes, toys, bedding, carpets, and more, whether at home or on the move.
How to Establish a Regular Washing Machine Cleaning Routine
Keeping your washing machine in top condition doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a simple routine, you can extend your machine's lifespan, ensure your clothes come out fresh, and avoid unpleasant odors or mildew buildup. Here’s a step-by-step guide to maintaining your washing machine:
1. Wipe Down After Every Use
Every time you finish a wash cycle, take a few minutes to wipe down key areas of your washing machine. Keep a microfiber cloth nearby to easily manage spills and ensure thorough cleaning. Focus on the door, the rubber gasket, and the detergent drawer, as these spots are prone to moisture buildup and mildew. Use a microfiber cloth for better absorption and, for a deeper clean, spray a mix of water and vinegar to clean the rubber seal thoroughly. This simple habit will drastically reduce mold and mildew growth over time.
2. Deep Clean with Machine Cleaner Every Month
Regular maintenance isn’t complete without a monthly deep clean. Use washing machine cleaning tablets, such as those from ACTIVE, to break down hard water deposits, detergent residue, and grime. Simply follow the instructions on the cleaner—most recommend running a hot water cycle with the tablet inside the drum. Don’t forget to run an extra rinse cycle afterward to ensure all the cleaner is removed. This step is essential for keeping your machine running smoothly and odor-free.
3. Avoid Overloading Your Machine
While it’s tempting to fill your washing machine to the brim, overloading puts unnecessary strain on its internal components and can lead to detergent buildup. Follow your washing machine’s manual to understand the recommended load size, and always leave enough space for your clothes to move freely. This not only protects the machine but also ensures your clothes get cleaner.
4. Switch to Residue-Free Detergents
Traditional powder or liquid detergents can leave behind residue that builds up over time. To keep your machine cleaner between deep cleans, consider switching to residue-free options like detergent sheets. These dissolve completely, leaving no sticky residue in your machine, and help maintain freshness with every cycle.
5. Leave the Door Open After Each Wash
One of the easiest ways to prevent moisture buildup is to leave the washing machine door open once the cycle is complete. This allows the drum to fully air out and stops mold and mildew from forming in damp spaces. Even leaving the door open for just a few hours can make a big difference in keeping your machine fresh.
6. Inspect the Filter and Drainage System
At least once every few months, take some time to check the washing machine’s filter and drainage system. Over time, lint, hair, and other debris can clog these areas, leading to inefficient performance or drainage issues. Clean out the filter and ensure the drainage pipe isn’t blocked to keep your machine running smoothly.
7. Create a Cleaning Schedule
To stay consistent, set reminders for yourself to tackle these tasks regularly. For example, wiping down the machine after each use should become a habit, but you might schedule a monthly deep clean and quarterly drainage inspection. A little planning goes a long way in keeping your washing machine in excellent condition.
The Result? A Crisp, Clean Washing Machine
Deep cleaning and maintaining your washing machine doesn’t have to be a chore. Using reliable products like those mentioned above ensures your washer remains efficient while prolonging its lifespan. Plus, by preventing odors and residue, your laundry will always come out smelling fresh and looking its best.
Say goodbye to funky smells and inefficient washes—your machine deserves the best care. Stock up on these must-have cleaning supplies and give your washer the love it needs today!
Happy Cleaning! 😄
Raquel Juster