How to Clean Your Front-Loading Washing Machine

Depending upon your frequency of use, you must wash your washing machine at regular intervals. If you use your machine every day, consider cleaning it at least once in 15 days. If you use your washing machine less often, you can get away with cleaning your machine just once a month.

Why You Need to Clean Your Front-Loading Washing Machine?

An unclean washing machine may pass on some unpleasant odour in your freshly laundered clothes. Also, the grime and dirt caught up between the wash drum can affect your machine’s performance. In a front-loading washing machine, detergent residue builds-up around the gasket, which also triggers odours if not cleaned for longer. Thus, it is important to clean your washing machine once in a month.

Want to know how to clean a front-load washing machine? Follow the steps given below.

Ingredients to Keep Handy:

1. Step 1: Start With the Gasket

   The rubber ring that runs along the door of your front-load washing machine is called a gasket. It keeps the water from leaking from the machine drum. Take a microfibre cloth and wipe the gasket to remove surface dirt and muck. If you notice black spots on your gasket, it is mildew. Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bowl of lukewarm water. Soak a sponge in this solution and wipe the gasket. If you cannot reach the corners, use an old toothbrush. Rinse off the soapy layer with a damp cotton cloth.

2. Step 2: Clean the Wash Drum

   Sprinkle some baking soda on the interiors of the wash drum. Baking soda contains mild alkali which helps dirt and grease to dissolve in water and clean away effectively. Pour 1 cup vinegar in the laundry detergent tray. Now, turn on the wash cycle. Choose a high-temperature setting. It will help vinegar and baking soda react with each other. Run a full wash and rinse cycle.

3. Step 3: Clean the Detergent Dispenser Panel

   Detergent tray retains the detergent residue. It builds up over time and becomes sticky. It also gives us unpleasant odour sometimes. Remove the detergent trays and soak them in warm water for 30-40 minutes. Give them a thorough wash using dishwashing liquid. You can try Vim Dishwash Gel. It is easily available in the market.

4. Step 4: Clean the Exteriors

   Use a commercial cleaner to wipe clean the exteriors of your washing machine. Check the pack to understand the correct usage instructions. And always test on a small part to check compatibility. Look out for dust and hair strands that may have settled in the corners of your machine.

5. Step 5: Clean the Lint Filter

   If your garments have lint coming off during the wash, it gets accumulated on the lint filter and clogs it. Thus, it needs cleaning too. Check the product manual to understand the right way of removing it. If it is removable, soak it in a solution of ½ bucket water mixed with ½ cup vinegar and 1 tsp. of salt for 40-50 minutes. Then, scrub with a gentle scrubber to remove the debris and then wash with plain water.

6. Step 6: Clean the Drain Pipe

   To clean your drain pipe, we suggest you check the product manual to understand the right way of cleaning it. You can also seek professional help for this step.

7. Step 7: Maintain Your Washing Machine

   hoosing the right detergent is important to maintain the life of your washing machine. There are many laundry detergents available in the market. Choose the one that has been specially designed for front-load washing machines. If you are using a front load washing machine, you can use Surf Excel Matic Liquid Front Load, which is specially formulated for front load washing machines. It leaves no residue (like powders do) as being a liquid it dissolves completely in water. Read the product label carefully to understand how much detergent you need to use. Excess usage of detergent can lead to the growth of mildew in your machine drum. Always wipe the drum and detergent dispenser with a cotton cloth atleast once a week. It is a good maintenance method.

8. Step 8: Remove Laundry As Soon As It’s Done

   Mildew grows faster in front load washer. So, never forget to remove your laundry from your washing machine. Keeping wet laundry in the machine drum for hours also increases the risk of dye transfers.

9. Step 9: Prevent a Smelly Washing Machine

   To prevent unpleasant odours in your washing machine, always take out your clothes as soon as they are washed. Leave the door open for 15-20 minutes after the wash to promote air circulation. Also, once in 2-3 days wipe your gasket, drum and the lid with a clean cotton cloth to prevent dirt build-up and odours.

Front-load washing machines have gained huge popularity because they use less water and detergent. Clean them regularly to enjoy a top-class performance from them for longer. These tips will help you clean your front-loading washer effectively. If you are looking for an effective guide to clean your top load washing machine click here.

Key Step

Allow the moisture from the insides of the drum to dry out by keeping the door open. It will help prevent the growth of mould and mildew. Also, clean the detergent dispenser once in a week with a cotton cloth.