slo’s WEDNESDAY 2/21 poll - Cleaning Your Washing Machine

[Kitty 34]

I wipe my washing machine down occasionally on the exterior but never thought about cleaning the inside. I figure it cleans itself when I'm doing laundry. I've been doing laundry now since I was 18.

 

[Tink-osophy]

I clean the washing machine every time I clean the dishwasher, which I do when I refill the salt. That way it keeps track for me!

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

You’re supposed to clean the inside regularly? The most I’ve ever done is clean the detergent/fabric softener dispensers and I might do that once a year. I do clean the outside occasionally.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I've never cleaned the inside of a washing machine, never thought about it.

 

[design_mom]

You’re supposed to clean the inside regularly? The most I’ve ever done is clean the detergent/fabric softener dispensers and I might do that once a year. I do clean the outside occasionally.

Me too. If the fabric softener dispenser appears to have build-up, I'll clean that (but we've mainly switched to dryer balls so there's no build up anymore.) I'll wipe down the outside if it starts looking dusty/dirty... but I don't think I've ever "cleaned" the washing machine.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Well, not really "cleaning" but I've wiped the top off when it gets dirty. And wiped out the rinse aid/bleach dispenser cup with it gets gunked up.

 

[mumto3girls]

I have clean cycle on the machine that I run about once a month. Probably wipe down the top and the outsides and the seals quarterly and the soap dispenser drawer 1-2 times per year.

 

[unrequited23]

I wipe down the gasket, door and drum after every wash day and run the clean cycle with an affresh tablet whenever the machine tells me it's time. I think it's every 2-3 months.

 

[Tallulah-Belle]

I have an LG front loader that has a clean option I just pour bleach in dispenser and hit the button, this gets done monthly. Inside rim checked after each load for miscellaneous items, I have found socks there before! Rim, door/window, detergent tray gets cleaned weekly with a Clorox wipe. Dust or spills wiped up when needed.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We have a new front loader that will stink if not cleaned now and then. Our previous older machine never smelled bad, it’s crazy to me that a “new and improved” machine would have that issue but it does. We use the cleaning packets you buy and the self cleaning cycle. We also have to leave the door open when not in use.

 

[georgina]

We have a top loader with a stainless steel inside (No agitator) I never use fabric softener. We have had this machine for 3 years (was here when we bought the house) and I have never felt the need to clean it.

 

[OKW8297]

Every month!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wipe off the outside periodically. Wipe front door boot maybe once a month.

 

[CGB]

I had to google how to clean a top-loading HE machine. I've never cleaned the drum, but have removed the detergent drawer to clean it. Apparently, I just need to fill it with hot water and add some vinegar and let it soak for an hour. When we had a front-loading machine, I checked the pump filter regularly, as it would coins and other things (socks!) in it more often than you'd think.

Another question to ask is how often to you clean the coils under your refrigerator? Our old fridge recently started running non-stop and even sounded like a helicopter. After googling, I checked the seals around the doors and checked the coils. OMG! We have cats and it was horrible underneath. I vacuumed as much as I could underneath and in the back (after removing a lower panel). It is back to running and sounding normal again. I do plan to buy the $8 brush the next time I'm at Lowes/Home Depot that'll reach the coils without damaging them. Why have I never thought to check that?

 

[jo-jo]

We have a top loader with a stainless steel inside (No agitator) I never use fabric softener. We have had this machine for 3 years (was here when we bought the house) and I have never felt the need to clean it.

When I had a top loader, I never cleaned it. It’s the front loader that gets yucky after a while.

 

[summerlyangel]

Have always had a top loader....

I have never cleaned the inside of my machine, but I wash linens with bleach, so it gets that at least.
I do wash the outside when it looks dirty, every couple of months maybe?