Name: How To Clean Your Front Load Washer
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How To Clean Your Front Load Washer

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× This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.Ever since I posted an article on cleaning a top load washing machine I have gotten so many comments and emails about cleaning a front load washer. I had heard that they were hard to keep clean but I have had zero experience taking care of them.Then, a couple of weeks ago I got an email from one of the guys that my husband works with (Thanks Mark!!) about how he cares for his front load washer.It was perfect timing because my sister had complained about her smelly front loader. My sister was kind enough to let me come over and clean her washer. 😉I am so excited to share with you today how to clean your front load washer and the easiest tip for keeping the smell permanently gone.I will warn you there are a lot of very disgusting&nbsp;pictures! Who knew a machine built for keeping clothes clean could get so dirty!!To get started cleaning a front load washing machine you will need a few things. You probably already have everything you need at home.You will want to start by draining out any water from the washer. On the front of the machine, you should find a place to do this. My sisters had a drain and a filter. We used a small tray to catch all of the water because it was so low to the ground.After we drained it we took out the filter and cleaned it. The before and after was amazing!! It smelled like a fish tank before we cleaned it.And after.Once we clean the filter and drained it then we put the filter back in and closed up the drain. I got started on the inside of the washer.The large rubber seal on her washer was covered with mold and gunk. I used some rags and a 50/50 mixture of vinegar &amp; water to wipe everything down.You can also use this cleaner for rubber gaskets if you don't feel comfortable using vinegar on your gaskets.You will also want to use the vinegar mix on the area between the rubber gasket and the drum. This is where we found the most mold and gunk.Isn't that just lovely? No wonder there was a smell. You will also find a drain area on the rubber seal. Make sure that you clean out the drain area really well.Hairs, lint, and other things will clog it and cause mold and mildew. I started by using a toothpick to clear the holes.Once I cleared all of the holes in the rubber gasket I pulled back the rubber gasket to find this blocking the drain below.It was a giant piece of moldy laundry detergent, lint, hair, and who knows what else. There are really no words for this.Once you are sure you have properly cleaned the rubber seals and as much as you can get behind them this job gets WAY easier. You will also want to wipe down your seals using a rag or microfiber cloth.You will want to run a quick wash load with a cup of vinegar. We just used the liquid dispenser and added the vinegar there.The vinegar will get in the washer and the drain and help kill off any mold or mildew that is in the washing machine.Keep your appliance clean with this easy appliance cleaning schedule!When that load is done then add a cup of baking soda and run a quick wash. This time we used the powder dispenser to run it through. The baking soda will help to get rid of any funky smells your washer may have.Finally, and this is the weird one. If you use liquid soap in your front loader you will want to run a quick load using powder dishwasher detergent. Why do you ask? Liquid laundry detergent often contains animal fats. If 100 percent of the detergent isn't washed away after the load is done then the animal fat will settle causing your washer to smell bad. The powder dishwasher detergent will work just like it does in your dishwasher and clean away the grease and fats. After the quick wash with the dish detergent, your front loader should smell great and be mold and mildew free.The difference in my sister's front loader was amazing. Not only does it look much better with the mold and mildew gone but it can drain much better now with the drain unclogged.After going through all the work to clean your front loader you can keep it from smelling and accumulating mold and mildew just by switching to powder instead of liquid detergent.Update: It's been 2 years since we cleaned my sister's machine and the smell has stayed gone just by using powdered detergent. I don't if all powdered detergent works as well but she swears by this detergent on Amazon.It's an easy switch and keeps you from having to clean it all the time. I also highly recommend you keep the door open between cycles to let it air out too.With a little work, your front load washer can be clean and mold free. Plus you can prevent the smells from ever coming back again!Clean your home in under 30 minutes a day with this free weekly cleaning printableSuccess! Now check your email to claim your printable.« Can Grocery University Save You Money?How To Pay Off Debt Fast »P.S. For more cleaning tips and decluttering hacks delivered to your inbox subscribehere!Thank you Julie! This is the most thorough and detailed, yet not overwhelming article on cleaning a front load washer I have read!!! I looked at many after reading your first article on the topic.I also want to thank all the ladies that took the time to answer the question I posted in the topic. Seems your subscriber community is full of supportive and super friendly readers!So glad I didnt drop the subscription for your blog. I had subscribed quite sometime ago, but until recently did not have time to read all the blogs I received updates regarding. I also had to spend some time and thin out the number I subscribed to. Like I said, thank you and very glad I chose yours as one of the few I like to read all the articles.You have a fan! 🙂Good advice! I've been leaving my washing machine door open between loads so it can dry out a little and that seems to help. I also run the self-cleaning cycle regularly.Blessings, LeighOh god! I bet my washer is disgusting! we use the little wash pellets every couple months, but we have never done anything this in depth. EEEEK! I am scared.What a great post! I switched to a top loader because my front loader got so disgusting. Wish I would have seen this sooner 🙂Thanks so much for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!When doing laundry I save my whites for last. I use liquid bleach in the final load - leaves the drum clean and disinfected. I wipe off the rubber gasket and leave the door cracked.

× This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.Ever since I posted an article on cleaning a top load washing machine I have gotten so many comments and emails about cleaning a front load washer. I had heard that they were hard to keep clean but I have had zero experience taking care of them.Then, a couple of weeks ago I got an email from one of the guys that my husband works with (Thanks Mark!!) about how he cares for his front load washer.It was perfect timing because my sister had complained about her smelly front loader. My sister was kind...

How To Clean Your Front Load Washer

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