To deep clean a top-loading washing machine, start by removing and soaking any detachable dispensers in warm, soapy water. Next, manually scrub the drum's top edges and hidden crevices using a spray of 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, and 1 tsp dish soap. Finally, run the machine on the hottest, longest cycle with a washer cleaner.
Deep cleaning a top-loading washing machine removes trapped odors, mold, and detergent buildup. First, soak removable parts in warm, soapy water. Run an empty, hot water cycle using 2 cups of white vinegar and baking soda, and manually scrub hard-to-reach crevices. Leave the lid open after every wash.
Some top-load washers have a lint filter, while others rely on a self-cleaning pump system with no user-serviceable filter. If your machine has a filter, it is typically located inside the center agitator, under an agitator cap, or along the inside top rim of the wash tub.
To clean a top-loading washing machine, you need distilled white vinegar and baking soda, or commercial descaling tablets like Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner. Use these with a microfiber cloth, an old toothbrush, and dish soap to wipe away hidden grime and sanitize the drum.
Cleaning a top-loading washing machine with vinegar and baking soda is a great way to eliminate odors and remove detergent buildup.
White vinegar is generally safe to use to clean a top load washer.
For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting.
“For a deep clean, use a washing machine cleaner,” says Carly. “Many washing machine descalers come as sachets or tablets — simply pop one into the drum and run your machine on a hot cycle.” “White vinegar works wonders as a natural alternative. Add around two cups to the machine's drum and run a hot wash.”
Clean your washing machine by running an empty, hot water cycle with either 2 cups of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach, or a commercial washing machine cleaner. This breaks down soap scum, removes mold, and eliminates odor-causing bacteria.
How to Tell When Washers Need Maintenance
Cleaning Inside the Washer Agitator
Pour 1/4 cup detergent and 1 cup bleach into the wash basket. Remove the fabric softener dispenser from the agitator. Allow the Washer to fill and proceed to the wash phase. Allow the Washer to agitate for about 5 minutes.
On a top-load washing machine, the lint trap is almost always located inside the wash drum. Depending on the brand and model, you will typically find it in one of two places:
Some top-load washers have a lint filter, while others rely on a self-cleaning pump system with no user-serviceable filter. If your machine has a filter, it is typically located inside the center agitator, under an agitator cap, or along the inside top rim of the wash tub.
Don't fret—how to clean the inside of your washing machine is way easier than you think: For a front-loading washer, pour two cups of white vinegar in the detergent dispenser. For a top-loading washer, pour four cups of white vinegar straight into the drum. The acid in vinegar helps cut through soap and other build-up.
To eliminate bad smells from a top-loading washing machine, run a cleaning cycle with 2 cups of baking soda, followed by a hot water cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar. Manually scrub the bleach dispenser, fabric softener cap, and under the lid to remove hidden grime.
'Removing clothes within 30 minutes (or even sooner) is a good habit to get into, as it helps prevent that stale odour from forming. Leaving damp laundry in the machine for several hours can undo lots of the freshness you've just achieved with detergent and fabric softener, meaning you may need to rewash the load. '
The black substance on your washing machine's rubber seal is typically built-up mold, mildew, and detergent residue. To remove it, use a concentrated bleach or mold removal gel, let it sit to dissolve the stain, and give it a thorough scrub.
Use both—but not at the exact same time. Baking soda and vinegar tackle different problems. The most effective method is to run two separate hot cycles: one with vinegar to dissolve soap scum, kill mold, and remove odors, and one with baking soda to scrub away remaining residue and freshen the drum.
'When you add vinegar to your fabric softener compartment, your machine will dilute it with water so that it isn't too harsh or overpowering on your clothes.
Yes, but do not add them at the exact same time. Because vinegar is acidic and detergents are alkaline, mixing them directly will neutralize their cleaning power.
Drum and internal components: Avoid using vinegar in the washer drum, as it can degrade rubber seals and hoses. Instead, use a dedicated washing machine cleaner, like affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner, which is formulated to remove residue and grime without damaging components.
How to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine
The 20-minute rule in cleaning (often combined with the 10-minute break as the 20/10 Rule) is a productivity method where you set a timer and clean as quickly and intensely as possible for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you immediately stop cleaning and take a mandatory 10-minute break.
House cleaners create that coveted "fresh, clean" aroma not just by masking odors with artificial fragrances, but by deeply sanitizing, eliminating odor sources at the molecular level, and incorporating targeted natural or botanical scents.