How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine (2024)

How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine

How To Fix These 10 Common Laundry Mistakes—And 3 That Are Beyond Repair

1. Empty the Washer and Dispensers

   Be sure the washer and dispensers are completely empty.

2. Choose the Settings and Water Temperature

   Select the longest wash cycle, the largest load size, and the hottest water setting. Allow the washer to fill with hot water but stop the machine before agitation begins.

3. Add the Cleaning Agent

   You have a choice of cleaning agents to remove residue and flush bacteria from the washer.

   Choose one and only one cleaner. Mixing chemicals can create toxic fumes.

   • Chlorine bleach: Use four cups of bleach. Fill the bleach and detergent dispensers and add the remaining bleach directly to the washer drum.
   • Hydrogen peroxide: Use six cups of peroxide because it is a milder form of bleach. Fill the dispensers and add the rest to the washer drum.
   • Distilled white vinegar: Use four cups of vinegar and follow the same steps. Note: Vinegar works well to cut through residue but does not kill mold and bacteria as effectively as bleach.
   • Commercial washer cleaner: Follow the directions on the product's label.
     

4. Run the Wash Cycle

   After adding the cleaner, run an entire wash cycle.

5. Clean the Dispensers

   If the bleach and detergent dispensers are removable, add enough hot water to a sink or dishpan to cover the dispensers. Let them soak for 15 minutes then use an old toothbrush to scrub away any residue trapped in the dispensers and replace them in the washer.

   If the dispensers cannot be removed, heat one cup of white vinegar in the microwave. Pour the heated vinegar into the dispensers and let it sit for about 15 minutes to soften the residue. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the dispensers clean.

6. Clean the Lint Filter

   The lint filter in a washer traps lint and can become clogged with residue that causes odor and redeposits lint on the clothes. The lint filter in a top-load washer with a center agitator is inside the agitator. Newer washers with the agitator in the bottom of the drum may or may not have a lint filter. Some models rely on the water pump filter to do the work, while others have a mesh filter near the top rim of the drum. Check your user manual or the manufacturer's website to locate the filter in your machine.

   To clean a removable agitator filter:

   • Remove the filter and use a paper towel to wipe away visible lint.
   • Fill a sink or dishpan with enough hot water to cover the filter and add one cup of vinegar.
   • Let the filter soak for 15 minutes, and then scrub with an old toothbrush to remove trapped lint and residue.
   • Dip a scrub brush in the soaking solution and scrub the inside of the center agitator.
   • Replace the filter.

   To clean a fixed mesh or water pump filter:

   • Locate the filter.
   • Use a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe away any trapped lint.
   • Dip a soft-bristled brush in heated vinegar and scrub the mesh.
     

7. Run a Final Cycle

   Now that everything is clean, run a final full wash cycle using hot water with no detergent or cleaner to flush the washer.

8. Clean the Outside of the Washer

   Mix a solution of all-purpose cleaner and warm water. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the outside of the washer to remove dust and drips from laundry products. Be sure to clean around the lid gaskets and dip an old toothbrush into the cleaning solution to get into corners and tight spots.

Tips to Keep Your Top-Load Washer Clean

• Don't use too much laundry detergent. Avoid excessive build-up by using the correct amount per load.
• Leave the lid open until the washer drum dries to help prevent mildew.
• Clean the dispensers often to help prevent blockages that reduce the washer's performance and can cause odors.