Dry the gasket: If you have a front loading machine, regularly check the gasket to be sure no small items, like baby socks, are trapped in there, and dry it with a towel to keep mold away.Then, using your vacuum's soft brush attachment, vacuum out the fur. Leave the door open until the pet hair and drum are thoroughly dry. Remove any debris or pet hair: If you have a pet that sheds in the house, you're going to find pet hair in your washer after running several loads.Take out clean clothes promptly: As soon as a cycle ends, empty the machine to prevent a musty odor from developing in the washtub.Just make sure to keep children and pets away from the open machine as a safety precaution and engage the child lock on your controls if you have one. This allows air to circulate and dry out any remaining moisture that can contribute to musty smells. These washing machine cleaners have ingredients to rid your machine of greasy build-ups and hard water minerals, too.Īlong with cleaning monthly, make it a habit to leave the machine door ajar or lift the lid after each use. While bleach alone will kill bacteria and mold, it may not dissolve other residues like detergent. Or you can use a specialty cleaner, like Affresh or GH Seal star Tide Washing Machine Cleaner, according to package directions. If yours doesn't have this cycle, add 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach to the dispenser or fill the dispenser to the max line and run a normal cycle with hot water (or follow what the manual says). Run a cycle: Many newer models have a dedicated washer cleaning cycle that presets the time, agitation and water temperature, and all you need to do is simply add bleach.Here's what to do once per month for a clean, pristine machine: With all the detergent, fabric softener, body soil and dirt that goes into your washer with each load, anything that's not removed builds up over time and creates the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and odors. Or, follow Forte's step-by-step instructions on how to clean a washing machine below. Methods are similar for cleaning both front- and top-loading machines, but your owner's manual or the appliance manufacturer's website will usually have the cleaning details for your specific model. Luckily, it's relatively quick and easy to clean, according to Carolyn Forte, Executive Director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
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