How to Flush Your Washer
Many people assume they do not need to clean their washing machine since it gets cleaned each time they wash their clothes. However, this idea is wrong. As your washing machine cleans your laundry, it collects chunks of food, debris, and other foreign materials from the dirty laundry, which can get trapped in the nooks of your appliance. The washing machine’s wet and warm environment has the perfect conditions for mildew and mold to grow. Detergents and hard water can build up with time, which can clog up the machine. Some washers have a built-in cleaning mode that can be helpful, but flushing your washer every once in a while is necessary. Below, we will walk you through how to flush your washing machine whether it is a front-loading or top-loading unit.
HOW TO FLUSH A FRONT-LOADING WASHER
The steps to follow when cleaning your front-loading washing machine include:
- Gathering your cleaning supplies
- Wiping around the rubber gaskets
- Spraying the washer drum with white vinegar
- Pouring the white vinegar into the detergent dispenser
- Adding baking soda directly into the drum and running the washer again
- Wiping down the door and front of the washing machine
- Leaving the door open and letting the washing machine dry out
1. GATHER YOUR CLEANING SUPPLIES
The first step in cleaning your washing mashing is acquiring the necessary materials required. In this process, you are required to have:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush
After gathering the above essential materials for cleaning your washing machine, proceed to the next step.
2. SPRAY THE WASHER DRUM WITH WHITE VINEGAR
White vinegar, one of nature’s best cleaning products, cuts through residue, hard water stains, buildup, and grease that accumulate in the washing machine. To spray the washer drum, add the white vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it inside the washer drum of your appliance. Wipe all around the washer drum with a microfiber cloth, leaving no surface untouched.
3. WIPE AROUND THE RUBBER GASKETS
After spraying and wiping the washer drum, the next component to clean is the rubber gaskets. The rubber gaskets are the seals around the door that require serious care. Scum, mildew, and even hair from your dirty laundry may accumulate on the rubber gaskets. Ensure that you remove all of these as you wipe around the gaskets.
4. POUR THE WHITE VINEGAR INTO THE DETERGENT DISPENSER
The next step in the process is dealing with the detergent dispenser of your machine. Measure two cups of white vinegar and pour directly into your machine’s detergent dispenser. You should then set the washer to run on its longest cycle with hot water in the machine.
5. ADD THE BAKING SODA DIRECTLY INTO THE DRUM AND RERUN THE WASHER
Flushing your washing machine requires you to clean every component. The next step requires you to sprinkle half a cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine’s drum, and then rerun the washing machine with hot water.
6. WIPE DOWN THE DOOR OF THE WASHER
The next step in cleaning your front-loading machine deals with the outer parts. Put vinegar on a microfiber cloth and clean the outside and inside of your machine’s door until it is sparkling clean. Also, run the cloth along the front of your washing machine, ensuring you clean the knobs and control panel of your washer.
7. LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN TO LET THE WASHING MACHINE DRY OUT
The final step in ensuring you have effectively cleaned your front-load washer deals with making sure your machine dries out completely. Leave the door open or wipe your appliance with a dry microfiber cloth so that it dries out. Drying the machine ensures you keep your machine immune to mold and mildew.
HOW TO CLEAN A TOP-LOADING WASHING MACHINE WITH VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA
As said earlier, we will take you through how to flush both a front-loading and a top-loading washer. The steps below show how you can effectively clean your top-loading washing machine.
1. ADD VINEGAR TO THE WASHING MACHINE WHILE STARTING A CYCLE
Flushing a top-loading washer involves completely different steps. The first step in this process is to add vinegar to the washing machine. To do this, set the washing machine to run on its longest and hottest settings, and then add 4 cups of vinegar. Then, turn the machine on. Once the washing machine fills up and has barely started, pause your machine, and let the water and white vinegar sit for about an hour.
2. WIPE DOWN THE LID AND THE REST OF THE WASHING MACHINE
As you wait for the hour to elapse, you can deal with other surfaces of the machine. Sprinkle vinegar onto a microfiber cloth and run the cloth along the top and bottom of the lid, sides, and front part of your washer. Ensure you wipe all the surfaces of your washer.
3. CLEAN THE DETERGENT AND FABRIC SOFTENER DISPENSER
The next step involves the detergent and fabric softener dispenser. These parts require some extra attention. Using a toothbrush, scrub the dispenser’s openings and ensure they are fresh and clean. Remember, the dispenser is critical for ensuring your clothes are thoroughly clean.
4. RUN ANOTHER CYCLE WITH BAKING SODA
After thoroughly cleaning the detergent and fabric softener dispenser of your machine, run another cycle. First, ensure that the cycle you had run earlier is complete. Pour in a cup of baking soda, and then run the machine for another cycle on the longest and hottest setting once again.
5. LEAVE THE LID OPEN AND LET THE WASHING MACHINE DRY OUT
The final step to flushing your top-loading washing machine is to let it dry out. After the second cycle finishes, you should let the washing machine dry out by simply leaving the lid open or wiping the machine using a dry microfiber cloth. The goal of drying out your machine is to ensure that mold or mildew has no breeding place inside the appliance.
EXTRA TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR MACHINE IS FLUSHED
We have some bonus tips to make sure your washing machine is always clean. These include:
- When the machine is not in use, always leave the door open to ensure the interior dries out completely.
- Do not leave damp clothes in the washer. Transfer the damp clothes to your dryer.
- Keep the top surfaces of your washer free of lint and detergent.
Reactive Plumbing offers the best plumbing services to Hill’s District, North Shore, and Sydney residents. We provide an unmatched customer experience, 24/7 emergency services, and financing on approved credit. Our services include burst pipe repair, drain cleaning and clearing, drain relining, CCTV drain inspections, hot water repair and inspection, gas leak detection, and repair, gas fitting and installation, toilet repair and replacement , bathroom plumbing, and more. For more information about Reactive Plumbing, feel free to contact us today.