How to clean a washing machine with bleach?
Ever thought about why your clothes give a bad odor even after washing or if you are tired of the bad smell from your washer? Don’t know why your clothes or washer are smelly?
Well, The reason is the growth of bacteria inside the washing machine, which gives a bad smell if left uncleaned.
To clean a washing machine with bleach, All you have to do is fill the washer with water and add a cup of bleach. Run a hot wash cycle to kill all the bacteria and remove the bad smell. Again rinse the washing machine to eliminate any residues and smell. Due to their structure, top load and front load machines are cleaned differently.
We will discuss the deep cleaning the front load and top loader washing machine. How can we use bleach and many other DIY to clean our washers. A few simple tips are given in the article for a fresh and odorless washer.
Cleaning a washer with bleach
If your washing machine has a bad, musty, and any other stinky smell, it is a sign that you must clean your washer.
Moreover, mold and grime formation indicate that your laundry machine needs deep cleaning. Bleach is considered the most appropriate and suitable cleaning agent, removing stains and eliminating stinky smells.
You must maintain your wash machine by regular cleaning twice a month to prevent the bad smell, bacteria, and mold formation.
A front load and a top load washing machine have different structures. So, they need different cleaning methods.
Cleaning a top loading washing machine
The cleaning process of a top loader is more accessible than a front loader. A top loader has a soap scum where the water mostly sits in the washer. The soap scum is home to germs and bacteria.
A top load washer must be cleaned from the inside, i.e., the drum and the outside, including the filters. Most top loading machines do not have a detergent tray. If your washer contains a detergent dispenser, you must also clean it.
For cleaning a top loader, follow the given steps:
- Interior of a top load washer.
- Add water to the washer tub and mix a cup of bleach. Let it rest for an hour.
- Run a hot water wash cycle to remove all the dirt, mold, and foul smell.
- Remove all the water and run a rinsing cycle to remove the leftover smell and stains.
- Let the machine dry. You can also use a microfiber cloth to clean the washer.
- Cleaning the exterior
For the exterior of the top load washer, use a wet cloth. Clean the outside, and carefully clean the buttons, lid, and filter; if your washer has a detergent tray, don’t forget to clean it.
Check the washing machine filters if there are coins or pins stuck and if the washing machine makes a loud noise.
Cleaning a front loading washing machine
A front-loading machine is more prone to dirt, mold, grime, and bacteria. The door of the front load washer has a rubber gasket. Mold formation is very common in the rubber seal if left uncleaned.
Moreover, a front loader has a removable detergent tray that must be cleaned alongside other parts. The detergent accumulates in the crevices of the tray and gives a very bad look.
So, if your clothes are smelly, you can follow the steps to clean a front-load washing machine.
- Cleaning the inside of the front loader washer.
- Add a cup of bleach to the bleach dispenser. To clean the washing machine drum.
- Fill the water and start a high heat wash cycle.
- Pause the cycle and let the solution sit for an hour.
- Resume the wash cycle to eliminate the musty smell.
- Rinse again in another cycle for proper cleaning.
- Dry the machine with a paper towel or let it air dry.
- Clean the rubber gasket.
Due to exposure to moisture, the rubber gasket has built-in mold and mildew. You can use a wet cloth or an old toothbrush to remove mold from the rubber seal.
Moreover, You can spray a mixture of bleach and water on the rubber seal and let it sit for a few minutes. Clean the rubber with a damp cloth.
White vinegar can also mix with water to remove the mold. Hydrogen peroxide is also good for eliminating mold spores and mildew.
- Cleaning of the Detergent drawer
You can remove the detergent tray and soak it in water. Let it rest for an hour. The accumulated detergents will be removed. Rinse the tray and place it in the detergent rack.
Read more: Is lg washer better than Samsung?
How to clean the washing machine with vinegar and bleach?
You cannot use the mixture of vinegar and bleach to clean the washing machine. The combination can cause fumes dangerous to health.
However, you can use both cleaners separately in two different wash cycles to clean a washer.
- Cleaning with vinegar
All you have to do is to mix half a cup of vinegar in the water and run the wash cycle to remove the bacteria and smell from the washer. Add an extra wash cycle to rinse the vinegar.
- Use of bleach
The same goes for here; mix bleach with water and run a hot cycle to clean your washer.
Furthermore, vinegar is not mandatory for cleaning. Many other cleaners serve the same purpose. So, you can also clean your washer without vinegar.
Cleaning washer with bleach and baking soda mixture
You can also clean your washing machine with a solution of bleach and baking soda. All you have to do is to follow the given steps:
- Add a cup of bleach to the water and run a hot and most extended wash cycle according to the time of the washing machine.
- Then, add a ½ cup of baking soda and let the cycle run.
- After completing the cycle, rinse the washing machine with fresh water and let it dry.
Moreover, you can use toilet bleach to disinfect your washing machine as it is safe and helpful in killing germs and bacteria. A toilet bleach can also clean blocked hoses and smelly drums. You can also use bleach for direct drive washers.
Will bleach damage my washing machine?
No, It cannot damage your washer. But, if you use the excess bleach in, it might cause damage due to the high reactivity.
So, you must use it according to the instructions. Never mix bleach with vinegar. Its toxic fumes are dangerous to health.
How to clean washing machine with bleach FAQs
Should you rinse your washer after using bleach?
Yes, you must rinse your washer after using bleach. The leftovers can damage your colored clothes in the next cycle. But, if you forget to flush, you can add your white clothes to the washing machine.
What would happen if you use too much bleach in the washer?
Too much bleach in a washing machine can damage the washer. Moreover, excess amounts can also cause the yellowing of white clothes.
Does bleach work better in hot or cold water?
A hot water and bleach combination is better for stubborn stains and soap scum. However, it is more suitable for stained white clothes in cold water.
Final thoughts
Cleaning a washing machine with bleach is an easy-to-go task. You can add a cup of bleach to the water and run a hot wash cycle to get a cleaned washer. You can also clean your washer with white vinegar and baking soda.
We Hope the above article helped you understand why your clothes and washer are smelly.