How to clean your washing machine: The Ultimate Eco-cleaning Guide

Are you ready to tackle that dirty washing machine and get it nice and clean?

I know it can seem like another chore, but this guide is here to keep it simple and get great results. Believe it or not, keeping your washing machine clean really does pay off.

A dirty washing machine with build up can mean that wet clothes left in your machine will start to smell within hours. I think we can agree, having to rewash clothes really is chore we can do without.

Odour causing build up happens with normal use, it’s called scrud. But it gets especially bad if you’ve been using cold washes or fabric softener. Both of these things can encourage bacteria and odours to linger – grimy build up gives the bacteria something to grow on.

Normal use can also cause the build up of water minerals that are found in tap water – also called limescale, this can shorten the life of your machine by clinging to heating elements and where water pools before drying.

The other thing you might have noticed is black flecks on clothes after using a long hot wash – murphy’s law states this happens when washing white sheets! Gah, so annoying right? These flecks are also caused by scrud build up – when there is a lot of it, it can start to flake off onto your washing during the rinse cycle.

But fear not – bad laundry days will be behind you! We’re here to show you how easy it is to keep your machine clean without any fuss.

How to clean your washing machine the right way

Firstly, Is it best to use baking soda and vinegar?

Nope! There are plenty of blogs out there calling for vinegar and baking soda to cleaning your washing machine – but the truth is we want cleaner! As much as the internet loves this duo, they get very much diluted in the wash & cancel each other out due to their chemical properties.

Instead, we rely on the science of cleaning & recommend using Citric acid for the deep cleaning of your washing machine – it gives a powerful clean and is the main ingredient in commercial machine cleans but without the nasties. Citric acid works by releasing the gunge and descaling your machine in the places you can’t reach.

It is the low pH of Citric acid that makes it such a handy cleaner, it allows you to get a serious clean without any nasties chemicals in your machine, or going down the drain. Citric acid dissolves limescale and kills unwanted bacteria that can cause odour. It’ll leave your machine deliciously fresh and clean and smelling of … nothing! If you live in a place with high water minerals, regular descaling will also make your machine run better for longer!

The other supplies you’ll need: castile soap for the general cleaning and an old toothbrush, a few cleaning cloths and if you have a front loader an old towel or shallow baking dish.

First things first, unplug your washing machine. Grab a cloth & a bucket and mix warm water with 2 tablespoons of Figgy & Co’s Home Cleaning Castile Soap  It’s such a versatile cleaning concentrate, it’s our special formula & go-to for a fuss-free clean that’s tough on grime but gentle on the planet.

Let’s get inside for a deep clean

You’ll be surprised how many parts of your machine are designed to unscrew or unclip so you can do cleaning maintenance. So roll up your sleeves, and get in there! It’s always good to check the machine manual for guidance – it’ll give you step by step instructions – often with pictures. If you don’t have your machine manual to hand, use google and simply search for it online with the make and model number. As you get started, if you think there is any chance you will forget how it all goes back together (it happens!) grab your phone and snap a couple of pictures as you go. You’ll thank me later!

1. Top loader washing machines:

In top loaders you can remove quiet a few parts of the machine for cleaning. If you have a central agitator this will likely come out. In Fisher & Paykel top loaders there is a central screw at the bottom of the agitator, just remove the softener dispenser and look down the shaft. Your machine might also have a lint filter that comes out. Also check to see if your lid can come off – it makes reaching into your machine easier and lets you clean around the hinges better.

2. Front loading washing machines:

Check to see if your drum fins come off for cleaning – not all of them do but grime can get caught here. Unclip your dispensing drawer to take it out.

Front loaders also have a lint filter to empty – you’ll find it down low on the front panel of your machine – have a towel or shallow baking tray on hand to catch the water that spills as you unscrew the filter and take it out. Your machine may have a flexible tube that lets you pre drain the small amount of water, you just unclip it and let the water drain into your dish. These filters are notorious for collecting all sorts of things. You might be surprised what you find!

3. Now for the washing up

Get your bucket of soapy water and start cleaning all the inside parts you can reach. Give everything a good soapy scrub and wash down. Pay special attention to the corners where build up can be hard to reach. An old toothbrush is handy for this job.

Give your machine’s exterior a thorough wipe-down too. Pay special attention to the buttons, hinges, and lid or door.

4. Front loader doors need air

If you have a front loader, you need to give your door seals a really good clean. The way they are designed, they trap water and stay wet. This makes them prone to getting mouldy. Regular wiping is key to keeping the well maintained and letting them dry out between washes by leaving  the door agar is best practice. See below if you do have mould on your door seals.

The last washing up is to give all the parts you were able to take out of your machine a good scrub and rinse. Once everything is looking clean. Put your machine back together!

Cleaning mouldy washing machine door seals

As you are cleaning, if you notice your door seals have mould on them – don’t be too alarmed. It’s actually quite common. Firstly what you need to do is give the seals a really good going over with soapy water and cloth with some texture or an old toothbrush. You want to clean here so you can evaluate if the mould is superficial or if it has started to grow actually into the seals.

If you have deeper mould you have two options. One is to make a mix of oxygen bleach and water and to soak a few old clothes and drape and pack these into your seals and leave it there for the oxi action to remove the staining. Oxygen bleach when activated becomes hydrogen peroxide, and this is the oxi action that does the stain lifting. When using this method its important to achieve good contact of the seals with the oxygen bleach solution and to give it 2+ hours or over night to work. Use 1/4 cup Oxygen bleach in 500ml water water. Dissolve into the water before soaking the cloths.

If the mould is very bad – and not shifted by oxygen bleaching – and sometimes this happens. You may need to concede and use chlorine bleach in the same way described above. Chlorine bleach is toxic and should be used with caution. Wear gloves and make sure the space is well ventilated as the fumes are bad for your lungs and it will cause damage to your skin. Please note that relying on Chlorine bleach should not be done lightly, but at times the risk is worth the benefit for the deep cleaning of a machine that is in a sorry state. Because Chlorine bleach is much stronger, check the progress of the bleaching every 15 minutes and expect it may only take up to hour to work. Rinse everything very well. You do not want residue getting onto your clothes and causing bleach marks.

Washing machine deep cleaning with citric acid

Using citric acid for deep cleaning your machine is what makes all the difference and stops the odour build up and the stinky wet washing that is such a pain. This step really is like giving your washing machine a reset – and it’s so easy, let me show you how! All you need to do is add citric acid to the drum and run your machine on its hottest and longest wash. That’s it!

1. Top loading washing machines: use 1/2 cup of Citric acid added to the drum

2. Front loading washing machines: use 1/4 cup of Citric acid added to the drum. Front loaders need less because they wash with a smaller amount of water.

If this is your first time doing a deep clean like this, it might take more than one cycle to release the build-up of grime – it can get pretty thick and clingy in the areas where there is little agitation and movement to break it loose – mostly this is in places you can’t see. Keep an eye on the water during this deep clean cycle. If you notice the smell worsening or see black bits of scrud floating around, it’s a sign that the gunk is loosening and needs more flushing out. Just repeat this step with the Citric acid and the long hot wash.

Citric acid and labels are available in the Figgy Shop.

You’re almost done. If you have a few more minutes, this is also a good opportunity to vacuum and mop under your washing machine – come spring clean, you’ll be glad you did! And it finishes off the whole job nicely.

There you have it! A fresh, clean washing machine without a hint of chemical waffle or gungy odour. Regular upkeep not only extends the life of your machine but also ensures it runs efficiently, keeping those pesky bacteria and odours at bay. Whoop whoop!

Going forward, its a good idea to check back on your filters every month or two and running a citric acid wash a few times a year works for most households. If you have a front loader make it a weekly habit to wipe out the door seals and in between uses leave the door agar. The air flow will stop musty smells from building up.

Get natural cleaning tips from our blog!

We want you to have everything you need to clean your home healthier while avoiding unwanted chemicals – and looking out for the planet too! Take a browse through our blog and learn more about natural cleaning, safe ingredients and so much more!