Washing machines are important appliances in homes because they help us quickly and effortlessly clean our dirty laundry. But a lot of people often forget to clean their washing machines as they think they are self-cleaning. While this is partially true, washing machines still require a regular clean to stop mold and grime from building up in them.

In this article, we are going to discuss five important reasons why you should give your front load washer a regular clean. Then, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to clean it.

Why It’s Important To Clean Your Front-Load Washer

1. Mold will build up.

When you don’t clean your front loader washer, bacteria will build up in your washer drum and in the door gasket/seal, which eventually turns into mold. When this happens, the mold will come into contact with your laundry and can make it come out of a wash cycle unclean and covered in mold stains. To stop this from happening, it’s important to give your washer a regular clean.

2. Your laundry will smell.

When your front load washer doesn’t get regularly cleaned, your laundry is likely to come out smelling bad due to the mold, grime, and other debris that build up in your washer drum. To stop this from happening, it’s important to clean all of the grime and mold out of your washer regularly. Luckily, it’s very easy to clean a washing machine (see the final section in this article).

3. Save energy costs.

If your washing machine is dirty, you may end up having to use a higher or longer wash cycle to get your clothes and other laundry items clean, which can make your energy bill higher each month. This is also true if you have to wash your laundry a second time because it comes out smelling bad or covered in mold stains.

4. Your laundry won’t be clean.

Dirty washing machines produce dirty laundry. Even if your laundry doesn’t come out covered in obvious stains or with a strong bad odor, it will be covered in unseen bacteria which can cause health problems for you and your family. To stop this from occurring, you need to use a strong disinfectant to clean your front load washer out regularly.

5. It will last longer.

Cleaning your front load washer out regularly will ensure it lasts much longer so you won’t need to pay for a replacement. When laundry detergent gets clogged up in the detergent unit and grime and mold build up in your washer, it will make components within the appliance break down that will then need to be repaired or replaced. However, if you give it a good clean every few months, you’ll avoid any problems developing.

How to clean a front load washer quickly

Giving your front load washer a regular clean is very easy. You can either use a natural cleaning solution or a bleach-based one. Simply follow these steps and your washer will be sparkling clean.

• Put on a pair of safety gloves and a mask to stop yourself from breathing in any chemicals.
• Next, make up a cleaning solution. You can mix a natural cleaning solution of 2 cups of water, ½ cup of white vinegar, and ¼ cup of lemon juice OR a chemical mix of 2 cups of water, ½ cup of bleach, and ¼ cup of lemon juice. Once you have mixed the ingredients, pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Regardless of which mixture you use, both of them will be strong enough to remove mold and grime from your washing machine.
• Start by cleaning the door gasket/seal by spraying your cleaning mixture on it and then wiping it clean with a clean cloth. If there are any hard-to-reach spots, use a toothbrush to clean the gasket/seal. Make sure you also clean the areas near the hinges, as this can become a breeding ground for bacteria to develop.
• Clean the exterior of the washer using your cleaning spray and a clean cloth to wipe it up. If you want to, you can also pull the washer out from the wall so you can clean the floor underneath it.
• Next, fill the laundry detergent compartment up with your cleaning solution. If you have a dedicated bleach compartment in your washer, place the bleach-based mixture there instead of the main detergent one.
• You can now put your front load washer onto a dedicated wash cycle or, if you don’t have a wash cycle, place it on the hottest possible setting and on heavy-duty and then turn it on.
• When the cycle ends, open your washer door and dry it out with a clean cloth. You should then leave the washing machine door open for a few hours to let it dry out completely before using it again. 
• A final tip is to keep your washing machine door open when it’s not in use, as this helps air it out and stops moisture from being able to develop in the washer which turns into bacteria.