Cleaning HE Washers

unaveragejane

I am tired of spending $7 for 3 packets of washing machine cleaner, so I googled and found instructions for DIY cleaning. I'm trying it today and figured I would share. Has anyone done this? Any tweeks you would suggest? I'm not wild about using 2 cups of bleach, but there is definitely some mildew growing in my washer! Oh, here's the link: https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/02/how-to-fix-smelly-washing-machine.html

TJ1979

I have never had this issue with my he washer, do you leave the washer door open or shut?

musicalsilver

I clean my washer when it tells me it's time to (it does it every so many cycles, about once every month and a half with the increase in loads with CDing) - but I've never had a stinky washer.

I use a cup of bleach and the clean washer cycle.  I also am really anal about leaving my washer door open.  These day's it's pretty much never closed.  And like PP said, cleaning out the rubber gasket.  I also take the soap drawer out to dry regularly.

But mostly, the cleaning the washer is more to get excess dog hair out rather than to have mildew stink away.

unaveragejane

Yeah, I leave the door open almost all the time. It still has developed mold spots around the seal, so that was originally what I was researching on how to clean. I'll have to check out the hose too, @gidget584. Thanks for that tip! I've never cleaned that in the 5 years we've had it! When it drains, how much water is usually in it? Will I be able to catch it with a towel, or do I need a big bowl/casserole dish?

nanabanana06

My washer says only to use bleach to clean it. I hand wash the seals myself with warm soupy water and take alcohol and a Q tip to the locking mechanism and sensor once or twice a month.

unaveragejane

Well, I just did the bleach step, and I noticed a small bead of water run down the front of the machine below the door. Crap! Has anyone ever had to replace the seal on their washer?

PS @gidget584 Thanks for the link! I will bookmark it and try to do that tonight.

Angela814

I've never cleaned our washing machine, and we've had it for at least 5 years. We leave the door open when not in use.

lafsalot

I am very particular about the door being left open and DH insists that we let his dad do laundry at our house but he doesn't ever leave the door open and ours is a top load so its not that he has to walk around it he actually has to make an effort to close it... I have put a label on it that say "leave open when not in use!" But he also takes it upon himself to replace (last time he added) an additional dryer bar to the dryer. He uses our detergents and dryer bars so I was doubled up on dryer bars and the stick-um residue or it tears clothes.... Wasn't happy about it... But I don't have smelly machines unless my FIL has been in my house doing laundry...

TJ1979

@lafsalot You use dryer bars with your CDs?  It hasn't caused any issues?