How to Clean the Inside of a Top-Loading Washing Machine

I posted about cleaning the surface of my washing machine a while back, but this time I also cleaned the inside using bleach and water. Completely amazed (and totally grossed out) after cleaning it. You are going to want to go clean yours immediately!

We have had our washer and dryer for years and have not had any issues.  It’s just your standard, middle of the road Whirlpool washer/dryer and we will be keeping it for as long as it is getting the job done.  Let’s break it down into steps. Here’s how to clean the inside of a top loading washing machine.

Step One of How to Clean the Inside of a Top Loading Washing Machine

Fill washing machine with HOT water.  Add 1 quart of bleach (I just eyeballed) right into the bowl.  Let the washer agitate for a minute and lift the lid again.  Let this stand for 1 hour.  Be sure to set a timer on your phone so you don’t get sidetracked! This is easy to do in my world!

Step Two

After an hour, run the cycle through, emptying the water. Once this is done, immediately fill up the washing machine with HOT water again. Add one quart of vinegar and agitate for 1 minute.  Lift lid and allow to sit for one hour. While the vinegar and water is standing, use that mix to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the washer.  This is where you will find things that gross you out!  Get out a toothbrush and soft cloth and get into every nook and cranny of the machine.  There are a lot of them!

I also removed the fabric softener lid and cleaned inside.  I filled up our laundry sink with some hot water and vinegar and dropped the entire piece inside.  Fabric softener gets built up and your water will look like this! 

This is what the water looked like in the washing machine after letting the vinegar and water sit for an hour and cleaning the entire inside and outside of the washer.  Gross, right?

Lastly, let the cycle finish out again and admire your sparkly clean washing machine!  Much cleaner clothes are on the horizon at the Larsons!

Hope this was helpful with how to clean the inside of a top loading washing machine. The original post I found and used to follow these steps can be found here.  Also, I know some people don’t like to use bleach in their homes.  I am sure you could probably do two cycles of the vinegar and water and your washer will still be cleaner than when you started! Here is a link for Cleaning a Stainless Steel Sink if that needs done too! XO