We have a top-loading washing machine at home. Honestly, I can’t recall the brand or even its color, but I do know I run several loads through it each week. This has been my routine for the past seven years since it was delivered by a rather sweaty and somewhat grumpy delivery person. To be candid, I don’t spend much time thinking about my washing machine.
I can already hear some of you saying, “Typical… a guy writing about washing machines without a clue.” But let’s set the record straight: I do the laundry in our household. I have a complicated relationship with laundry – washing, drying, folding, and then the part I dread most: putting it all away. So while I do think about laundry a lot, I don’t often contemplate the washing machine itself, aside from hoping it holds up for a few more years. Let’s face it, I can’t afford a new one right now.
When I stumbled upon an article in Southern Living discussing how to deep clean a washing machine, it hit me that I might have been overlooking that little white box I spend so much time leaning over each week.
I’ll just say it: I’ve never truly deep cleaned my washing machine. I may have run some vinegar through it, wiped down the dusty exterior, and even done a hot cycle with vinegar when it started to smell a bit funky. But I have never, not once, disassembled it, looked inside, and given it a proper scrub.
As I ponder this, I can’t help but wonder what might be lurking inside my washer after all these years and moves. Writing this, I start to understand why the author of the Southern Living piece chose to remain anonymous. They confessed to not having deep cleaned their washer either, which gives me a bit of comfort in numbers. Yet they also described mold, pet hair, and needing to hold their breath while cleaning. Yikes! What am I in for?
How to Deep Clean Your Washing Machine
For anyone curious about how to deep clean a washing machine, here’s a helpful video. It’s not as complicated as it sounds. First, you need to clean the detergent and softener drawer. This part is usually removable, so you can scrub away the old detergent buildup in the sink or even take it outside and spray it down with a garden hose, much like I do with our car seats. Next, you should clean the gasket with an old rag and some vinegar. Just remember to do this in a well-ventilated area – I know that can be tricky in some laundry rooms. Personally, I never seem to get enough airflow when doing laundry, but I suspect that’s more about my age and fitness level than the laundry room itself.
Don’t forget to clean both the inside of the door and the outside of the machine. If your washer has a filter, make sure to clean that too. Ideally, you should clean that filter every couple of months, but let’s just say I’m not the best at following that guideline!
Cleaning your washing machine can extend its lifespan, which is ultimately a good thing. I understand some folks get excited about purchasing new appliances, but that’s not me. I struggle enough just trying to pay for the kids’ sports activities. More importantly, your washing machine is responsible for removing all sorts of dirt and grime from your clothes. If you have kids or pets, as I do, the mess it deals with only increases.
Now, I’m sure some people will chime in about how they clean their washing machines religiously, claiming anyone who doesn’t is gross and should be exiled to a deserted island with others who neglect their appliances. To those people, I say: good for you!
But for the rest of us, if you’ve never deep cleaned your washing machine, I’m not here to judge. I’m right there with you. Just consider this a friendly recommendation.
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In summary, I’ve realized that my washing machine, like many of ours, deserves some attention. Despite my neglect, I’m not alone in this struggle. If you, too, have been skipping the deep clean, this is your gentle nudge to start caring for that hardworking appliance.