Front Load Washer Cleaning Hacks

Dec 8

Sparkling Clean Hacks For Your Front Load Washer

Cleaning Wonders To Keep Your Front Load Washer Fresh And Efficient

Front load machines are a kitchen appliance requirement. They’re water-efficient, they’re powerful and gentle with clothes, and they’re super energy-efficient. But every homeowner is bound to inevitably contend with that sour, moldy smell that seems to infiltrate the machine—and through your clothes. If your machine has ever smelled like it contains wet socks, then you positively know what we’re talking about.

Fortunately, it is easy to keep your front load washer running smoothly and efficiently with the use of simple hacks. These fixes incorporate products that are easily found at home and only need to take up a bit of your time.

The following blog will walk you through smart, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious cleaning protocols to maintain your washer and optimize its operation.

Achieve A sparkling Clean Front Load Washer — **Why Front Load Washers Become So Dirty?**

Front load machines are tightly sealed to ensure they don’t leak. That same seal, though, in conjunction with how they’re constructed, invites mold and mildew to grow. Soap scum, as well as the residue from detergent and even fabric softener, teams up with moisture that gets trapped to make for a bacterial breeding ground.
**Common problem areas include:**
The rubber door gasket (seal)
The detergent drawer
The drum itself
Hidden areas behind the drum or under the drain filter
If not maintained regularly, these sections will give your washer the stinky smell, diminish its efficacy, and even make your clothes smell grimy after cleaning.

1. Vinegar and Baking Soda Drum Wash

One of the easiest and strongest methods of cleaning your washer drum is by utilizing white vinegar and baking soda.

How to do it:

Add 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum itself.
Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the detergent tray.
Use your washer’s hottest, longest cycle.
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It kills bacteria, eliminates odors, and dissolves detergent residue. It also dissolves water hardness deposits.

Tip: Do it once a month for maintenance.

Useful Hacks For Cleaning Front Load Washer — **2. Clean the Door Gasket with Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide**

One of the most popular hiding spots for mold and mildew is the rubber door seal. It is also where hair, lint, and detergent gunk tend to accumulate.
**How to do it:**
Dunk a cloth in white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
Clean around and under the seal, easing it back to clean out-of-sight places.
In case of persistent mold, prepare baking soda and water paste, apply, keep it for 15 minutes, then scrub off with an old toothbrush.
Following cleaning, all should be dried to avoid future water accumulations.

3. Clean the Detergent Drawer

Detergent and fabric softener residue builds up over time and causes mold and clogging. If your detergent drawer is stinky or appears dingy, it’s due for a cleaning.

How to do it:

Remove the drawer all the way out (see your manual).
Soak it in warm soapy water for 20 minutes.
Clean up corners and deposits with a toothbrush.
Shake and rinse thoroughly and dry before reloading into
Do this every few weeks, especially if you use liquid fabric softener or powdered detergent.

4. Use Enzyme-Based Cleaners for Odor Control

If ready-made is your choice, look for enzymatic cleaners for your washer. These break down natural buildups like mold, mildew, and scum from the detergent.

How to do it:

Add one tablet or the recommended amount of cleaner to the drum.
Run the cleaning cycle or the hot cycle without clothes.
Close the door thereafter to allow the moisture to evaporate.

These products can be used for monthly maintenance and thorough cleaning.

5. Drain and Clean the Filter

Some of the front load machines incorporate a filter for the drain pump found behind a panel at the front bottom of the machine. It traps lint, debris, and small objects.

If water from your washer is draining slowly or is standing, the filter could be clogged.

What to do:

Unplug the machine and place a towel or shallow pan under the filter.
Open the panel and carefully unscrew the filter cap.
Let any trapped water drain out.
Remove lint, coins, or debris and clean filter thoroughly.
Tightly screw the cap back down and close the panel.

Replace the filter every few months to prevent clogging and smells.

6. Leave the Door Open after Each Wash

It is among the easiest prevention methods to implement. It is the trapped moisture inside the washer that creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew.

Things to do:

Close the door slightly after each load of laundry.
If possible, repeat the same for the detergent drawer.

Allowing the air to circulate maintains the vehicle’s interior dry and odorless.

7. Switch to HE Detergent (If You Have Not Already)

High-efficiency (HE) detergent is actually formulated for front load machines. Normal detergent generates suds that are too abundant, leading to residue buildup and mildew.

How to do it:

Always use HE labeled detergents from the packaging.
Use less than you think. Despite the use of HE detergent, many use too much.
If your washer is always smelly, reducing the use of detergent can be of great benefit.

Less detergent means less suds and less residue within the washer.

Upkeep Your Front Load Washer With These Hacks — **8. Homemade Washer Freshening Spray**

Want to keep your washer smelling amazing in between deep cleaning sessions? Give homemade spray from natural ingredients a go.
**DIY Recipe:**
1 cup distilled water
1 tablespoon baking soda
10 drops of essential oil (such as lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender)
**How to use it:**
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle.
Shake well before use.
Spray around the door, seal, and inside the drum.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
This quick trick keeps your washer smelling fresh and introduces a subtle, refreshing aroma to the area.

9. Clean the Exterior, Too

Don’t forget the outside of the washer. Dust, spills, and lint can build up on the top and around the buttons, especially in laundry rooms with poor airflow.

How to do it: