Home Tip: How to Clean Your Washing Machine
August 17, 2016
How do you clean a washing machine? 
It may seem like an ironic question, but the truth is, even your washing machine needs to be cleaned to keep it sanitary and smelling fresh.
We suggest sanitizing your washing machine about once a month to kill mold, mildew and bacteria. First, clean the inside from dirt and lint with a clean, damp cloth. Then run a normal wash cycle – without clothes – using hot water. Add the normal amount of laundry detergent and one cup of chlorine bleach to the load. Once the machine has filled up with water and agitated for a few minutes, stop the cycle and let the washing machine sit for 15-20 minutes. This gives the bleach time to disinfect inside your washer. Then let the washer finish the cycle. While the washing machine should have rinsed the bleach during the rinse cycle, if you are concerned about bleach affecting your next load of laundry, run an additional rinse cycle.
To clean your washing machine from detergent build-up and hard water deposits, add 3-4 cups of vinegar to a hot water cycle – sans clothing and detergent. Again, once the basin has filled with water and agitated a few minutes, stop the cycle and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. From there, allow the machine to finish the load, as noted above.
Please note: It’s important to refer to your manufacturer’s recommended instructions before proceeding as directed above. Some machines may require different or additional care.