How to Clean Washing Machine With Bleach

Materials Needed:

• Bleach (chlorine bleach, not color-safe or oxygen bleach)
• Measuring cup
• Clean cloth or sponge

Steps:

1. Empty the Washing Machine

First: Empty the washer of any clothing or laundry in it.

2. Set the Washing Machine to the Hottest and Longest Cycle

• Next: Run your machine at the highest temperature for water..
• Lastly: Choose the longest cycle your washing machine may have so the bleach can really cleanse and sanitize your washing machine.

3. Add Bleach

• For top load: Just simply add 1 cup of bleach directly into the main drum of the machine.
• For front-load: Pour 1 cup of bleach into the detergent dispenser or if your machine has a separate bleach compartment.

4. Run the Machine

Pour it in there as well. Then, begin the wash cycle and let the machine finish its cycle.

5. Wipe Down the Machine

Clean the inside of the door, the rubber seal, and any other area that may trap dirt or mildew with a clean cloth or sponge dampened with water and bleach.

6. Rinse Cycle (Optional but Recommended)

Run another cycle with only hot water-hot, no bleach or detergent, to make sure that all bleach is rinsed away.

7. Clean the Detergent Dispensers and Filters

Remove any detergent or fabric softener residue from dispensers; if your machine has a filter, clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Tips:

• Clean it in this manner every 1-2 months for a fresh and working washing machine.
• Do not mix bleach with other cleaners . 

Precautions:

1. Ventilate the Area: Proper ventilation of the area is required, especially when using bleach. Open windows or flip on an exhaust fan to minimize the intake of pungent bleach fumes.
2. Check manufacturer’s manual: Some newer washing machines have a special clean feature for them or advise not to use bleach. Check the book for any form of warning or restriction before doing so.
3. Avoid Overuse of Bleach: Though it is very strong bleach, frequent use breaks down the rubber seals or parts gradually. Cleaning with bleach should be kept at intervals of once a month, two months, or you could switch to using vinegar for more frequent cleaning.
4. Protect Your Hands and Eyes: Wear gloves whenever you handle bleach; avoid the splash into your eyes. Safety goggles come in handy when you are worried about splashing.

Alternative Cleaners:

Alternatively, if you really hate using bleach, you can try to clean your washing machine by:

1. Vinegar and Baking Soda:
   • Add 1-2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent drawer; run a hot cycle.
   • Sprinkle baking soda in the drum after this cycle and let it run again. This deodorizes and removes residue that sticks to the drum.
2. Washing Machine Cleaner Products:
   • Special washing machine cleaner tablets or liquids are available with which you can follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean and deodorize a washing machine.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide:
   • Like bleach, hydrogen peroxide will clean the machine too. Fill two cups of hydrogen peroxide into the drum and allow it to run a hot cycle.

Regular Maintenance:

• Leave Door Open: After every wash, you must leave the washing machine door or lid open as it possesses good air circulation, so this tends to refrain from the growth of mold and mildew inside the machine.
• Clean detergent drawer. You should take out the detergent and fabric softener drawers and clean those regularly so that there is no deposit in them.
• Rubber Seals. Wipe these down frequently, especially around the door of front-load washers, so mold and mildew do not form.

These cleaning routines will help your washing machine to operate more efficiently, be less malodorous, and last longer.

Cleaning the Washing Machine Filter:

You will also occasionally find a lint filter or drain pump filter that will catch debris, small clothing items such as socks, or lint in your washing machine. Over time, this can become clogged and interfere with how the machine performs.

Steps to Clean the Filter:

1. Locate the Filter The filter is normally located at the bottom front of the washing machine. For top-load washing machines, it may be found inside the agitator or below the drum.
2. Shut off and Drain the Washer Before removal of the filter, turn the washer off then drain the water by using the drain hose.
3. Removing the Filter Open the filter compartment unscrew the filter, and take the filter out carefully.
4. Cleaning the Filter: Remove a filter and gently wash it under running water, allowing loose lint, hair, or debris to come free by using a soft brush or cloth.
5. Reassembling the Filter: After cleaning, replace and screw the filter back in place and securely close the compartment.
6. Short Cycle: Run a short cycle of wash to ascertain that everything is working properly and okay.

Dealing with Stubborn Odors:

If there’s this musty or moldy smell that you feel the washing machine is emitting, especially in front-load washers, then moisture or detergent residue might be stuck within. Follow these steps to treat it:

1. Use Vinegar: Run an empty hot water cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in the drum. Vinegar breaks up soap scum, mildew, and mold, neutralizes odors.
2. Baking Soda: After the vinegar cycle, add ½ cup of baking soda directly in the drum and run another cycle. Baking soda continues to absorb all lingering odors.
3. Baking Soda: After the vinegar cycle, add ½ cup of baking soda directly in the drum and run another cycle. Baking soda continues to absorb all lingering odors.
4. Use Less Detergent: Too much detergent causes buildup of odors inside the washing machine. Ensure you only use the recommended amount for every load and consider HE detergent if your washing machine is an HE model.

Preventing Future Issues:

1. Avoid Overloading the Machine:

Overloading your washing machine can reduce the efficiency with which the machine cleans, activate mechanical troubles, and cause residue. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding load size.

2. Use the Right Detergent:

High-efficiency washing machines should always use HE detergent, as they are designed to make fewer suds, reducing buildup in your washer. Using regular detergent in an HE only creates excess residue and odor.

3. Wipe Down the Drum After Each Wash:

The inner drum should be wiped dry with a cloth after every wash cycle to remove moisture and prevent mold or mildew.

4. Deep Clean Regularly:

While cleaning bleach or vinegar once a few months works miracles, deep cleaning with machine-specific cleaners is also incredibly helpful for your washing machine. Now you can use products that break down residues, lime scale, and other buildup in the washers in something like tablets or liquids.

Signs Your Washing Machine Needs Cleaning:

1. Stinks: If the washer or clothes smell either musty or sour, it’s time to deep clean your washing machine.
2. Clothes carrying detergent stains or lint and dirt: If your clothes are coming out of the washer with detergent stains or with lint and dirt still attached, it may be due to buildup inside the washer.
3. Poor Draining. Water drains slowly, filters/buildup is clogged inside the machine, or, after a wash cycle, water remains within the drum.
4. Weird Noises: Rattling, grinding, or other weird sounds during any cycle can be a sign that, in the middle of a cycle, debris and residue are indeed obstructing the internal mechanisms of the washer.

Long-Term Care Tips:

• Run Hot Water Cycles Occasionally: Run a hot-water cycle every 4-6 weeks, with no bleach or other cleaners; this will dissolve residue from the detergent and help keep the machine fresh.
• Inspect Hoses: Check hoses connecting your washer to the water supply. Look for cracks, wear, or water leaks inside and outside the hoses. Replace hoses every five years to make sure there’s no leak.
• Use Fabric Softeners Sparingly: Fabric softeners can leave inside the machine a type of waxy residue. Consider using dryer sheets or wool dryer balls in place, at least cut back on liquid softeners.

When to Call a Professional:

If cleaning cannot solve performance problems, such as poor drainage, extreme noises, or frequent stopping of the machine during a cycle, it is best to call a technician. There could be mechanical or electrical issues that require attention by a professional.

Clean your washing machine regularly to improve not just the smell and cleanliness of your clothes but also the length of life left for your machine, which can carry on running for many years longer.

Conclusion:

Bleach is frequently used to clean the washer to help eliminate mold, bacteria, and grime from the washer. They help keep the washer fresh and in fine working order. Regular care, combined with a regular wash with hot bleach, along with wiping down the interior, and so much more, can also prevent the buildup of odors and generally help maintain the performance of your washing machine. Clean your machine every 1-2 months. Never overdo with bleach, and always consult the manufacturer’s instructions. This will ensure that the long life of your washing machine is increased, plus maintain your laundry fresh and odor-free.