Did you know you’re supposed to clean your washing machine at least 2 times a year? I never knew this little tip so my washer has accumulated years of gunk, disgusting right? Today I took on the challenge of cleaning my washing machine for day #3 of my Spring Cleaning adventure and boy did it make a huge difference! My main reason for wanting to clean my washing machine is the simple fact there was always a weird smell while the washing machine was loading and now no smell at all and my washing machine sparkles! Yey! This DIY home cleaning project is so easy and only involves 2 ingredients!
Pin it HERE!
(Look how sparkly and clean my washing machine looks!)
Did you know you’re supposed to clean your washing machine at least 2 times a year? I never knew this little tip so my washer has accumulated years of gunk, disgusting right? Today I took on the challenge of cleaning my washing machine for day #3 of my Spring Cleaning adventure and boy did it make a huge difference! My main reason for wanting to clean my washing machine is the simple fact there was always a weird smell while the washing machine was loading and now no smell at all and my washing machine sparkles! Yey! This DIY home cleaning project is so easy and only involves 2 ingredients!
Supplies Needed:
- 1 Quart Bleach
- 1 Quart Vinegar
- Microfiber Cloth
- Dirty Washing Machine
Directions:
1. Fill up your Washer with HOT water, once the washer is filled with water (mine took about 8 minutes) add in a quart of bleach, let your washer machine agitate for about 1 minute, after that pause your washer and let the hot water and bleach soak for 1 hour! After 1 hour is up turn your washer back on to it’s longest cycle and let it run it’s course.
2. After the first cycle is done, again you are going to fill your washer with HOT water, once the washer is filled with water you will then add in a quart of white distilled vinegar, let your washer machine agitate for about 1 minute, and pause your washer again and let the solution sit for 1 hour! While the solution is sitting in your machine this is the perfect time to grab a microfiber cloth and soak in the solution and start cleaning the nooks and crannies of the washing machine! This includes the inner corners, wash trays, and anything that just looks grungy! After the 1 hour is up turn your washer back on to it’s longest cycle and let it run it’s course!
3. Be sure to clean the outside of the washing machine too, including the knobs and lid!
4. To cleanse the bleach tray, fabric softener tray and liquid detergent tray let a warm cup of vinegar soak to loosen up any build up and wipe clean!
That’s it! Takes a bit of time but definitely worth it to get a FRESH, clean washing machine! Keep in mind my washing machine is 7 years old and has never been cleaned this thoroughly. I’ll be sure to clean it monthly now! Thanks for tagging along and I hope this DIY project was a huge success for you!
I would love to see before and after pictures of your washing machine clean ups!
*Please do not try to speed up the process by mixing vinegar and bleach together as this is meant to be done in steps.
Original source here!
I would reverse the order and use the vinegar first to descale, and the bleach second to sanitize.
You might want to put a disclaimer to tell everyone to NEVER mix bleach and vinegar together though as it creates a toxic chemical. So anyone doing this NEEDS to remember to do them as the full two separate cycles not try to hurry up the process and combine them.
Thanks for the tip. Have been wondering how to clean it well. Unfortunately I don’t think our washer has the option of running in straight hot water. Would it work with warm water.