How to Clean a Front-Loading Washer with Bleach: A Comprehensive Guide

Front-loading washers, appreciated for their efficiency in using less water, often require regular cleaning to maintain their performance and hygiene. Using bleach is an effective method to clean these machines. This guide provides three methods for cleaning a front-loading washer with bleach, ensuring it remains free from dirt, mildew, and grime.

Cleaning a Front-Loading Washer with Bleach

Step 1: Preparation
Fill the bleach dispenser with bleach. Most modern front-load washers have a built-in bleach dispenser. Fill it completely with bleach. For older models, pour between a half and a full cup of bleach directly into your washer's tub.

If your bleach dispenser holds less than a quarter cup, consider using concentrated bleach to achieve the desired cleaning power.

Step 2: Set the Temperature
Set the machine to hot water. Hot water is essential for sanitization and cleaning, effectively breaking down oils and grease that have built up over time. Running a cycle with hot water may require more energy, but if it's done every few months, the energy usage is minimal.

Step 3: Run the Washer
Run the washer either on a regular long cycle or a "Maintenance Cycle" if available. Make sure the washer is empty to avoid fabric being bleached. This cycle will swirl the bleach and hot water around, thoroughly cleaning the washer basin and agitator.

Step 4: Allow Bleach to Soak
Once the machine fills with water, pause the cycle to allow the bleach to soak inside the drum. Let it sit for about an hour before resuming the cycle. Some also recommend turning off the machine, opening the door, and waiting for an hour to allow the bleach to fully clean the interior.

Step 5: Post-Cleanse Rinse
Consider running a second cycle without bleach to rinse out any residual bleach. Alternatively, run a wash of whites to clean the residual bleach out. Using one half cup of vinegar with the second cycle can be an effective alternative to avoid mixing bleach and water.

Additional Areas to Clean

Step 6: Clean Stained Areas
In case of heavily soiled items or stained laundry, use a mixture of one cup bleach and one gallon of water to clean the stained areas. This solution should declutter the appearance of stubborn stains.

Step 7: Clean Drawers and Compartments
Even the compartment used to deliver detergent can get dirty. Use a cloth dipped in a diluted bleach solution to wipe down and clean the compartments. This includes detergent and bleach dispensers, as they can accumulate dirt and grime due to their sticky nature.

Step 8: Rinsing
Avoid bleach stains on future laundry by rinsing all areas that have been cleaned with bleach with warm water.

Frequency of Cleaning

It is essential to clean and sanitize your washer every few months to prevent buildup of detergent and grime. This preventive measure will also help maintain the machine's efficiency and cleanliness. Front-load washers are more prone to dirt and grime buildup compared to traditional top-loaders due to their design and water usage, making it crucial to clean them more frequently.