Do you clean your washer?

My washer has always lived in the garage with very little lighting. Due to a recent move now my washing machine is inside our home and I am embarrassed to say it had a black mineral ring in the  inside tub. I had never noticed it before.  I have always cleaned the top and outside of my washer, but never the inside of it. So my Google search begin on to find a green and eco-friendly way to clean my washer. I came across this great blog from our good friends at Thirsties and simplified it. Here is a link to their blog. http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/blog/how-to-clean-your-washing-machine/

How I clean my Washing Machine

1. I wiped down the outside of  of my washer including the lid with vinegar,  You can also use Biokleen All Purpose Cleaner, or your favorite cleaner. You may need to use a toothbrush to get inside all the nooks and crannies in the lid.

2. I removed the bleach and fabric dispenser and soaked them in hot water with Baking Soda.

3. While the dispenser was soaking  I cleaned the washing machine tub with Baking Soda and a scrubber and a wet cleaning rag . I scrubbed the inside till the mineral ring was gone. Then I poured vinegar on my cleaning rag and washed the tub down. I then poured maybe 1 cup or more into the washing machine and watched the bubbles begin. After the bubbles settled down I washed down the inside of the tub and on top of the tub.

4. I then filled the washer with hot water and did a quick rinse cycle. While the washing machine was rinsing I scrubbed the bleach and fabric softner, rinsed them and dried them.

5. After the rinse cycle was done I couldn't believe the inside of my washer looked brand new. I put the dispenser back into their places and put my washing machine back to work. I couldn't wait to put a load of laundry to wash. !!!


Do you clean your washer? What is your routine to get your washing machine cleaned?