How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine for Best Performance?

 

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine for Best Performance?

Washing machines labor behind the scenes to keep your clothes fresh and clean. But like any hardworking machine, they also require regular maintenance. Over time, detergent buildup, fabric lint, hard water spots, and even mold can accumulate within your machine, all of which can slow it down and shorten its life.

If you’ve noticed that your clothes aren’t coming out as clean or there’s a strange smell coming from the drum, it’s likely time for a deep clean. In fact, many people who seek washing machine repair services in Calicut are dealing with issues that could have been prevented with timely maintenance.

So how frequently should you wash your washing machine? And how best to do it? Let's demystify.

Why Cleaning Your Washing Machine is Important

You'd think that since it's constantly washing clothes, your machine would be self-cleaning — but that's not the case.

Here's what accumulates over time:

• Detergent residue: Too much soap can stick to the drum and inner pipes.
• Fabric softener: Leaves a sticky film behind that mold is attracted to.
• Lint and debris: Become trapped in the filters and drain.
• Hard water minerals: Produce scaling on internal parts.
• Mold and mildew: Flourish in damp regions, notably the rubber gasket.

Forgetting to clean may result in:

• Bad smells
• Poor wash performance
• Bacterial growth
• Drainage issues
• Mechanical failure

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine

The optimal frequency varies based on how much you use your machine, what detergent you use, and the local water conditions.

These are guidelines:

1. Light to Moderate Use (1–3 times per week)

• Drum Cleaning: Every 2 months
• Lint Filter & Drain Pump: Every 3 months
• Detergent Drawer & Door Gasket: Clean weekly

2. Heavy Use (Daily or Several Loads a Week)

• Drum Cleaning: Monthly
• Lint Filter & Drain Pump: Every 6–8 weeks
• Drawer & Gasket: Clean weekly

3. Hard Water Areas

If your home has hard water, clean your machine with a descaling solution every 4–6 weeks to prevent mineral buildup.

Signs That Your Washer Needs Cleaning Now

Regardless of frequency, these signs suggest your washer needs immediate cleaning:

• Musty or sour smell inside the drum
• Clothes care coming out with an odd odor
• Water is draining more slowly than usual
• Visible mildew on the rubber gasket
• Soap deposits on garments following washing
• The washing machine shimmies abnormally while spinning

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Washing Machine

1. Clean the Drum

Perform a hot water empty cycle and use either:

• 2 cups of white vinegar + ¼ cup baking soda
• A commercial washing machine cleaner tablet

Soak the drum for 30 minutes before finishing the cycle.

2. Wipe the Rubber Gasket

Use a vinegar-soaked cloth or a mild bleach solution to wipe around the door seal. Especially pay attention to out-of-the-way corners where mold prefers.

3. Wash the Detergent Drawer

Pull out the drawer, soak it in hot, soapy water, and scrape away residue. An old toothbrush works on tight spaces.

4. Drain Pump Filter Flush

Typically found at the front bottom of the washer, pry open the panel and gently pull out the filter. Rinse well to get rid of lint, coins, and debris.

5. Descale the Interior (For Hard Water)

Every 1–2 months, if you live in an area with hard water, use a cleaning cycle and a descaling solution (such as citric acid or a machine descaler).

Tips to Keep Your Washer Cleaner Longer

• Leave the door open after every wash to let the moisture escape.
• Use the proper amount of detergent — too much leads to buildup.
• Clean the gasket and drum after every few washes.
• Use high-efficiency (HE) detergent for HE machines.
• Don't do lots of cold washes — every now and then, run hot water cycles to melt soap residue.

Professional Cleaning: When to Call the Experts

If your equipment continues to have an odor after cleaning at home, or if you notice mold that's visible inside parts you can't get to, it may be time to call in the experts.

Professional technicians can:

• Clean deep inside parts
• Eliminate scaling on the heating element
• Break apart and sanitize out-of-reach parts
• Pinpoint concealed problems for improved performance

If you’re in Kerala, looking for trusted washing machine repair services in Calicut, calling a professional ensures your washer runs like new again.

Conclusion

Cleaning your washing machine is not all about cleanliness — it's crucial for performance, energy efficiency, and prolonging the life of your machine. Whichever you do, wash once a week or daily, routine maintenance avoids more significant problems and saves you money on repairs.

Struggling to get your machine in tip-top shape? Fixail provides professional cleaning, repair, and maintenance specifically for your washing machine's requirements. Whether it's deep-clean solutions or emergency breakdowns, Fixail keeps your laundry days hassle-free and smooth.