How To Clean Top Loading Washing Machine Without Hot Water

Everything needs to be cleaned once in a while, and a washing machine is no exception. After washing loads of dirty laundry, the inside of the machine can get stained, and odors may cling to its walls and get transferred to your clothes. Keep reading to learn how to clean your machine. Luckily, you probably won't need anything you don't already keep around the house.

1

Fill the machine with hot water. Newer models of front-loading machines often have self cleaning cycles, so if this is the case with yours, fill it with hot water on this setting. If you don't have a self-cleaning cycle, just fill it with hot water.
2

Add a quart of bleach for stain removal. If the inside of your washer is stained, bleach will do the trick. Add it through the dispenser so that it mixes with hot water, then let the machine finish the rest of the washing cycle.^[1]
3

Clean the rubber seal on the door. This area is prone to mold growth, since water can get trapped between the seal and the machine. Use an all-purpose cleaner and a sponge or paper towel to clean under and around the seal.^[2]
4

Clean the dispensers. Make sure the the powder and liquid detergent dispensers are free of hair and other debris. Use an all-purpose cleaner or a vinegar and water solution and a sponge to remove traces of detergent, dirt and anything else that could clog your dispenser.^[3]

1

Fill the machine with hot water. The easiest way to do this is to turn on the hot wash cycle and interrupt it after the water has been filled. You could also heat up water in the kitchen and transfer it to the machine.
2
Add a quart of chlorine bleach. Turn the washing cycle on for a few seconds to let so that the agitation function mixes the bleach and the water, then turn it back off and let the chlorine mixture sit for at least an hour. This will start lifting the grime, mildew and other substances inside your washing machine.^[4]
- If you'd prefer not to use bleach, you can use a special machine cleaner instead. These are available for purchase at grocery stores in the detergent aisle.
- For a natural alternative, add a quart of white vinegar instead of bleach or cleaner.^[5]
3
Finish the washing cycle. After an hour, let the machine complete the washing cycle. At this point the inside of the machine is sanitized.
- If the machine smells like bleach once the cycle is complete, fill it with hot water and pour in a quart of vinegar. Let it sit for an hour, then run the washing cycle once more.^[6]
4

Clean the dispensers. Use a vinegar water solution and a scrubber to clean the places where you insert powdered or liquid detergent. Dirt, hair, and other debris tends to pile up there, so cleaning these areas is an important part of keeping the inside clean, too.^[7]

1

Remove wet clothes promptly. Leaving wet clothes in the machine, even for a few hours, can lead to mold and mildew growth, which affects the smell of your clothes and the functionality of your machine. Transfer wet clothes to the dryer or clothesline immediately after the cycle is complete.^[8]
2

Leave it open after washing. Closing the door of your washing machine after a cycle is complete traps in the moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. To prevent this from happening, simply leave the door open so the remaining water can evaporate.^[9]
3

Make sure the machine parts stay dry. If your machine has a soap or softener drawer that gets wet during the washing process, take it out to dry when the cycle is complete. Only replace it in the washer when you're sure that it's thoroughly dry.
4

Deep clean once a month. Everyday maintenance helps prevent the washing machine from getting too mildewy, but it's still necessary to give it a deep cleaning about once a month. Use one of the methods outline above to keep your machine smelling fresh and working efficiently for years to come.^[10]

Add New Question

Question

Why did my 8 year old front loader put black streaks all over my laundry that I cannot remove?

I would say that the rubber gasket is worn out. All the water, detergent, and other chemicals have softened it and it is leaving the black streaks. Replace the gasket and I bet the marks will go away.
Question

How do I unclog my the water lines of my washing machine?

If your machine is front load, there is likely a filter accessible from the front of your machine. Grab a pail to catch the water. When you twist open that filter to check it, all that backed up water will spill out. Then you can easily scoop out the soggy nastiness clogging the drain filter. I would check this filter weekly. If you can clean it before it clogs, you don't have to worry about flooding your laundry space.
Question

How can I get rid of pet hair that's caught inside the washing machine?

Put on a latex glove, and wipe it over the places where the hair is caught; it will stick to the latex. If you can't wear latex gloves, or simply can't find any, you can use a dryer sheet instead.
Question

I get streaks of white lint across my dark clothes when they come out of the washer, which has only been used about 15 times. Is there a filter system in the washer?

Wash items inside out and never use a powder detergent. Try to use a clear liquid detergent but not too much. Dark clothes need extra water for rinsing too.
Question

The sulphur in our water is so strong that when I put chlorine bleach in, it turns the water brown. How do I clean stains from this water?

I would suggest the product "Iron Out". It is available in powder form a nd chemically converts iron compounds. It is also septic safe.
Question

What do I do if there's detergent left in my washed clothing after completing the washing cycle?

Run them through another wash cycle WITHOUT any soap. Or you could just run the clothes through an additional rinse cycle. Next time you wash, remember to add less soap.
Question

How do I get rid of a smell in my front loading washing machine?

Clean it as detailed above, and run a cycle of vinegar through it to clean it.
Question

What is in the little holes of the tube of my top load washing machine, and how do I clean them?

Lint and soap scum are in the little holes. To clean them, fill the washer with hot water, add four cups of white vinegar, leave it sit for three hours, then run a full wash cycle.
Question

How do I get rustlike stains out of my whites if they won't come out with bleach?

Try a product called "Iron Out." Follow the instructions, or just mix a little with enough water to make a paste, then apply it to rust stain for as long as it takes.
Question

I am finding a gritty brown sand-like substance on the clothes and in the washing machine after a load is finished. What could this be, and how can I keep it from recurring?

It sounds like the membrane on your water softener broke. A water softener has resin beads inside the brine tank that work to soften the water. The water softener will regenerate and clean these beads at night; however, if the membrane that holds the resin beads were to break, the beads are then free to travel throughout your plumbing system and end up in your washing machine (or anywhere else, for that matter), which feels like really fine sand. You might notice that the water pressure in your shower doesn't feel as strong as it used to be, or that your dishwasher doesn't seem to clean the dishes as well as before, or that your clothes don't get as clean in the washer.

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Don't use paper towels to clean the inside of your washing machine. Sure, it gets clean, but it doesn't prevent moss growth.
Use phosphate-free soaps/detergents in order to improve the health of our ecosystem.

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Article SummaryX

To clean the inside of a washing machine, carefully fill the machine with hot water from the tap. Then, add 1 quart of bleach to the machine to remove stains and marks from the inside. Wet a rag or sponge with an all-purpose cleaner, and wipe down the rubber seal on the door to remove mold and mildew growth. Dry the area with a clean towel, and wipe out the dispensers with all-purpose cleaner. Turn your washer on the self-cleaning cycle and let it run to completion. For cleaning tips specific to a front- or top-loading machine, keep reading!

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