How To Clean A Top-Loading Washing Machine

It's easy to forget that the appliances you use to clean clothes can also get dirty and need to be cleaned themselves. You need to know how to clean a top-loading washing machine because washers left dirty for too long can leave your clothes less clean and may even develop residues that can cause them to break down.

Cleaning a top-loading washer is a little different than cleaning a front-loading machine. Front-loaders have a big rubber door boot that needs frequent cleaning, and most have a handy "tub clean" cycle that cleans most of the internal parts for you. Top-loaders often don't have a tub cleaning cycle (its easy to do using a regular wash cycle), and they have more nooks and crannies that collect grime and soap residue and must be cleaned by hand. Most older top-loaders also have agitators that get dirty at the top as well as underneath; you can remove the agitator for a truly deep cleaning, but you this might do this only once in a few years.

You should do a routine cleaning of a top-loading washing machine once a month, or more frequently if you use it often or notice any unpleasant odors, Hugo Guerrero, a certified house cleaning technician, carpet repair and reinstallation technician, and consultant at Mattressive, tells Hunker. Failing to clean your washing machine often enough leads to buildup of detergent gunk, hard water deposits, and potentially mold and mildew, any of which will reduce its effectiveness and may prevent your clothes from getting as clean as possible.

And neglecting your washer affects more than your clothing. "Buildup of minerals can clog the water inlet filters, which can reduce the efficiency of the washing machine and increase the amount of time it takes to complete a load," warns Guerrero. Excessive buildup of mineral deposits and detergent grime could even damage your machine over time, necessitating costly repairs or destroying the washer altogether.

1. Run an Empty Load

Running a wash cycle with a cleaning agent but no laundry cleans the washer tub — which is actually two tubs: a perforated basket surrounded by a solid drum. Some newer machines make this process very easy by offering a self-clean cycle, which doesn't require any cleaning products at all. If your model lacks this feature, you'll need to use a washing machine cleaning tab, bleach, or vinegar.

For tablets, simply place a tablet in the bottom of the tub. To clean a washer with bleach, add 1/2 cup to the detergent or bleach cup and 1/2 cup to the tub. When cleaning with vinegar, add 2 cups directly into the tub. Run a load on the highest water level with the hottest water setting. After the cycle has ended, set the washer on the rinse cycle and allow it to rinse and spin a second time to remove any detergent residue.

While the washer is running, clean the outside. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the machine's exterior, including the control panel. Start by using only water, but if any messes prove to be challenging to remove, try a cleaning solution of 1 quart of hot water and 1/4 cup of vinegar.

Most of the body or tower of the agitator usually gets cleaned during normal laundering as well as during the tub cleaning cycle, but if you see any grime or detergent residue on it, wipe it off with a damp cloth and a water-vinegar solution.

If the top of the agitator has a cup for liquid fabric softener, it probably needs a cleaning. Remove the cap by gently pulling or twisting it off. Not all agitators have removable parts (some machines don't even have an agitator), so if you feel any resistance, leave it alone and skip this step. If you can't easily find out how to remove your agitator cap but you're sure it's removable, check your owner's manual. Once you get the agitator cap off, wipe down the inside gently with a sponge and a water-vinegar solution (you also may find a lint filter in there; see Step 4, below). For stuck-on gunk that is hard to remove, spray the surface with a bleach spray and scrub it clean with a toothbrush.

Clean inside the agitator if it needs it, using a damp cloth. Reinstall the cap by twisting or popping it back into place.

Most people know dryers have a lint filter, but it's less common knowledge that washing machines also have these — and it's essential to clean the lint filter regularly for the health of your washer. Because lint filters can be located in various places within a washing machine, check your owner's manual to learn the location for your specific washer model.

Some machines have a lint filter inside the agitator tower, underneath the cap. Other top-loaders have one somewhere along the top of the tub. There also may be a lint filter on the end of the washer's drain hose.

Filters that cannot be removed can be cleaned with a toothbrush. If your lint filter is removable, it may or may not be disposable. Disposable filters need to be thrown away and replaced. Reusable, removable filters can be cleaned by soaking them in hot water to loosen any trapped residue.

Use a microfiber cloth and a vinegar-water solution to wipe along the top of the tub basket — there's usually a rubber seal or plastic ring here that collects a lot of gunk. There also might be a band of residue around the top portion of the tub basket. This area is above the waterline and doesn't get cleaned during laundering.

Wipe the underside of the door (lid) and along the recess the door fits into. Clean around the door hinges and other hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, using a toothbrush to and a mixture of water and baking soda.

If your detergent dispenser trays are removable, take them out, soak them in soapy water, and wipe them clean with a wet sponge. Rinse the trays well and then dry them thoroughly before putting them back in place.

Wipe down nonremovable detergent trays with a microfiber cloth and use a toothbrush to scrub away any remaining dirt and grime. Dry them with a towel before pushing the trays back in place.

Leave the door open to allow the machine to air out and dry. It's also a good practice to do this after each wash.

It can be just as important to learn how to properly care for your appliance between cleanings as it is to know how to clean a top-loading washing machine. These cleaning tips from Guerrero can help keep your washer running as efficiently as possible:

• Don't overload the washing machine because this
  "can cause clothes to become trapped in the drum, which can lead to mold and
  mildew growth."
• Use the right amount of laundry detergent, as
  too much soap can cause residue to buildup, but too little can promote the growth
  of mold and mildew. It's also important to only use high-efficiency detergent
  in high-efficiency machines, as failing to do so will cause soap scum to
  accumulate.
• Leave the door open after each wash so
  the machine can dry out.
• Wipe the dispensers after each use to prevent
  detergent and fabric softener buildup.

Need to see the process visually? Check out PartSelect's video on how to clean a top-load washer: