How to Clean a Washing Machine in 30 Minutes or Less
Illustration by Samantha Hahn/Getty Images
Knowing how to clean a washing machine is one of those cleaning hacks you may not consider until a sour smell is coming from the laundry room. A washing machine can be a breeding ground of germs, even when its job is to do the opposite. Think about it: Your washing machine works hard to keep your household in order. Everyday items—from sweaty workout clothes to bed sheets to seemingly endless towels—can lead to a less than clean washing machine if you don’t maintain it.
“People still don’t know that washing machines need to be cleaned regularly,” says Alessandro Gazzo, content manager at Emily’s Maids, a house cleaning and maid service in Dallas. “They associate ‘machine for cleaning’ with ‘auto-cleaning,’ and that is not the case.” It’s important to clean a washing machine regularly because they can become a breeding ground for bacterial growth. “Anything from soap scum, detergent, fabric softener, and fiber residues, plus hard water can clog the drain,” he adds. What’s more, if you don’t know how to clean a washing machine, mildew can build up over time, which is not only gross, but can also cause the wash tub to smell. Gazzo recommends cleaning your washing machine regularly and deep cleaning it every three to four months.
