If you want your washing machine to work well for years to come, you’ve gotta know how to deep clean it! I walk you through the easy steps to get it clean and working well.
Back in our pre-child days, Finn and I each did one load of laundry a week. It was a super easy chore for us both. In fact, I never really understood why people would complain about doing laundry. I mean, it’s not that hard, right?
Now, as a family of four, I know better. We probably do at least two or three loads per day! I don’t understand how two tiny little people can make such a huge pile of dirty laundry, day in and day out!
I’m so happy we revamped our laundry room when we purchased our home. We opted for a front load washer and dryer, both from Maytag. They’ve held up great over the past five years!
Since we’re doing so much laundry and our machines are constantly in use, I try my best to deep clean our machines every six months or so. I already shared my step-by-step tutorial to deep clean your dryer vent in this video. Lint buildup can lead to house fires, so it’s something that everyone should be doing regularly!
Today, I want to share my tips for cleaning a front-load washing machine. I know some people are worried about front-load machines because they’ve heard horror stories about them starting to smell a little funky. I’m here to tell you that with the proper cleaning regimen, you can avoid that!
My Best Tips To Clean Your Washing Machine
It’s so important to clean the things that clean. If you don’t deep clean your washing machine (or dishwasher for that matter), how is it supposed to clean the items you put in it?
Over time, soap scum, dirt, lint, fabric softener, and detergent residue can start building up inside your washing machine. Gross! If you don’t take care of it, then you’ll get that dreaded odor in your laundry room and on your clean clothes.
Leave the Washer Door & Drawer Open
Before we get to the deep cleaning steps, here’s one thing you should do after every single load of laundry – keep the door open!
If you close the door, that moisture stays in there and the front-load washer doesn’t air out. Whenever I put the clothes in the dryer, I’ll leave the washing machine door open and also pull the detergent drawer out so it airs out too. 
After a few hours, they’re usually dry and I can close them, but let’s be honest, it’s usually time for another load of laundry anyway. This simple step makes deep cleaning a breeze.
There are also little holes in the rubber seal and hair, lint, and random items can get clogged in there. I used my little brush to get into these crevices and get it all cleaned out.
To use, you simply put the tablet in the empty washing machine – not in the dispenser, but in the actual machine where you put the dirty clothes.
My Maytag washing machine has a “Clean Washer with affresh” cycle! If yours doesn’t, that’s a-okay. Just read the back of the packet and follow the directions to use the correct cycle and temperature.
I throw in the tablet, use the hot water clean cycle, and an hour and a half later my washing machine is so.much.better! It’s the best, and easiest, way to keep our washer drum clean.
If you don’t have any washing machine tablets on hand, you can put some baking soda inside the machine. Next, add two cups of distilled white vinegar to the detergent dispenser. Then, run the machine on the hottest water setting for a cleaning cycle.
Deep Clean Every Six Months
You’ll want to deep clean your washing machine at least twice a year.
If you’re likely to forget to do this task every six months, don’t fret. That’s exactly why I created my digital guide, Your Home Playbook. It tells you exactly when to do each of these home maintenance tasks and will link to this tutorial so you have all of the steps right in front of you.
You can learn more about Your Home Playbook right here!
Get Cleaning!
Now, I’ve gotta know. Have you been regularly cleaning your washing machine? We’ve certainly dealt with a smelly washing machine from time to time.
It’s okay if you haven’t been keeping up with it, but now is the time to start! It’s such a simple process and your laundry room and clothing will smell much better with these simple steps.
Casey