To effectively clean your Whirlpool top-loader washing machine, follow a multi-step process involving both bleach and vinegar, targeting the interior tub, dispensers, and exterior surfaces.
Cleaning your washing machine regularly helps remove detergent buildup, fabric softener residue, mineral deposits, and odors, ensuring your clothes come out fresh and the machine operates efficiently. Here's a comprehensive guide based on standard cleaning practices for top-load washers:
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Maintaining a clean washing machine is crucial for optimal performance and hygiene. Follow these steps for a thorough clean:
Prepare the Washer
- Empty the Washer: Before starting any cleaning cycle, ensure the drum is completely empty of clothes or any other items. Running a cleaning cycle with laundry inside can damage your clothes and prevent the machine from being properly cleaned.
Clean the Tub with Bleach
- Select Water Temperature and Cycle Settings: Choose the hottest water temperature available on your machine. Select the largest load size or longest cycle option. This allows the cleaning agent to fully dissolve and circulate throughout the tub. Many modern Whirlpool top loaders have a dedicated "Clean Washer" cycle; if yours does, select this.
- Add the Chlorine Bleach: Pour about 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach directly into the wash drum. Avoid adding bleach to the detergent dispenser unless your machine's manual specifically instructs you to do so for cleaning cycles. Bleach is a powerful disinfectant that helps kill mold, mildew, and bacteria causing odors.
- Run the Complete Washer Cycle: Start the selected cycle and let it run all the way through without interruption. The hot water and bleach solution will work to sanitize and clean the internal components, including the tub walls, agitator, and hoses.
Clean Dispensers
- Clean Detergent and Fabric Softener Dispensers: While the main tub cycle is running or after it has completed, clean out the detergent and fabric softener dispensers. These areas can accumulate residue over time.
- Remove dispenser drawers if possible and wash them under warm running water. Use a small brush or toothbrush to scrub away stubborn residue.
- Wipe the compartments where the drawers sit.
- If dispensers are not removable, wipe them down with a damp cloth, perhaps dipped in a mild all-purpose cleaner or a bleach/water solution (1 part bleach to 4 parts water), using a brush for tight spots.
Rinse and Clean with Vinegar
- Fill the Washer Again with Hot Water: After the bleach cycle finishes, set up another cycle using hot water, just as you did for the bleach cycle (hottest temperature, largest load size/longest cycle).
- Add Distilled White Vinegar: This time, instead of bleach, add about 1 to 2 cups of distilled white vinegar directly into the drum. Vinegar helps to rinse away any remaining bleach residue and break down mineral deposits and soap scum that bleach might not have removed. It also acts as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer.
- Run the Second Complete Washer Cycle: Start the cycle with hot water and vinegar. Allow this cycle to complete fully. This second wash helps ensure all cleaning agents are flushed out and provides an extra layer of cleaning.
Final Touches
- After the vinegar cycle, you can run a quick rinse cycle with plain water if you like, though it's usually not necessary.
- Wipe down the inside of the drum and the rubber gasket around the lid opening with a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue or moisture.
Clean the Outer Housing
- Clean the Outer Housing of the Washer: Don't forget the exterior! Wipe down the outside of the washing machine, including the lid, control panel, and sides, using a soft cloth and a mild all-purpose cleaner or soapy water. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers that could damage the finish. Pay attention to the area around the lid hinge and control knobs where grime can accumulate.
Summary of Cleaning Steps
| Area | Agent | Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Tub | 1 cup Liquid Chlorine Bleach | Run hot water, large load cycle (or Clean Washer cycle). | Disinfects, kills mold/mildew. |
| Inside Tub | 1-2 cups Distilled White Vinegar | Run another hot water, large load cycle (or Clean Washer cycle). | Removes mineral deposits, soap scum, rinses. |
| Dispensers | Warm Water/Mild Cleaner/Bleach Solution | Scrub/wipe clean. Remove if possible. | Removes residue buildup. |
| Exterior | Mild Cleaner/Soapy Water | Wipe down surfaces with a soft cloth. | Keeps exterior clean and presentable. |
Important Considerations:
- Always consult your specific Whirlpool washing machine's user manual for model-specific cleaning instructions or recommended products.
- Never mix bleach and vinegar together in the same cycle, as this can create dangerous chlorine gas. Run them in separate cycles.
- Leave the washer lid open after each use (and especially after cleaning) to allow the drum to air dry and prevent mildew growth.
- Consider cleaning your washing machine every 1-3 months, depending on usage and water hardness.
By following these steps, your Whirlpool top loader will be clean, fresh, and ready to tackle your laundry efficiently.
