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What happens if you don’t clean your washing machine?


Not cleaning your washing machine regularly can lead to a buildup of dirt, grime, soap scum, mildew, and bacteria inside the machine. This can cause several problems:

1. Odors

When dirt, residue, and water sit in your washer, they can begin to smell. The damp, dark environment inside a washing machine is an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. These fungi emit unpleasant musty odors. Bacteria from dirty clothing and built-up detergent can also multiply and cause foul stenches.

2. Stains

If you wash clothes in a dirty machine, soils and residues can redeposit back onto clothes. This can lead to grayish stains or mysterious spots on your laundry. Detergent and soil buildup on the drum, dispensers, and interior walls rubs off during the wash cycle. Hard water deposits and minerals left behind also lead to dingy looking laundry.

3. Damage

Mold and mildew growth as well as chemical and dirt buildup can damage washing machine parts over time. Rubber seals and hoses can degrade and crack. The drum itself can corrode. Lint and other debris can get trapped under the agitator and hamper its mobility. These issues lead to breakdowns and malfunctions.

What Causes Buildup Inside a Washing Machine?

Several factors contribute to the gradual buildup of scum, soils, and smells inside your washer:

Detergent Residue

Most detergents contain chemical additives, fragrances, brighteners, stabilizers, and other ingredients. Some residue is left behind after each wash cycle. Over time, this builds up on the drum, pipes, and other interior surfaces.

Fabric Softener Buildup

Liquid fabric softener coats the inside of the washer as it rinses out during the cycle. This leaves a filmy residue that accumulates with each load.

Dirt, Oils, and Skins Cells

Not all soils wash away completely. Small amounts get left in the drum and components. The oils and dirt from clothing, towels, and linens collect over time. Shedded skin cells and hair also get caught in machinery.

Bacteria and Mold

The warm, moist environment encourages mold, mildew, and bacteria to thrive. These microorganisms feed on residues and multiply quickly.

Hard Water Minerals

Mineral deposits like lime, calcium, and magnesium are found in hard water. They leave chalky mineral buildup on internal parts.

Lint and Microfibers

Fibers and lint shed off of fabrics and get lodged in nooks and crannies out of the water flow. This debris traps more grime and oils.

Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Washing Machine

How can you tell when your washer needs a deep cleaning? Here are some signals that dirt and grime have built up:

Visible Residue

Check the washing drum, door gasket, detergent dispenser and bleach dispenser for visible streaks or film. Look for a ring around the drum opening. Lint buildup may be present under the agitator.

Musty Odor

Give the drum interior a sniff. If you detect a mildewy, sour, or funky smell, it’s definitely time to clean. This indicates mold, bacteria, and general filth has accumulated.

Dingy Clothes

Do your whites look grayish? Are colors looking faded and dull? Soil redepositing back on the laundry as you wash is a sign of residue buildup in the machine.

Leaking

Small leaks around the door seal, pump, or hoses may indicate buildup clogging drainage gaps and pipes. Detergent scum and minerals degrade rubber seals as well.

Noisy Operation

A sudden loud hum or grinding noise when the washer runs often means debris is trapped. As parts drag across lint and buildup, the movement sounds different.

How Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?

Cleaning your washer thoroughly once a month prevents detrimental buildup. Follow these steps:

Wipe Away Visible Residue

Use a non-abrasive cloth dipped in all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the door gasket, lid, drum interior, detergent dispenser, bleach dispenser, and controls panel. Scrub away any grime or film.

Run a Hot Cycle with Vinegar

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum and run a hot cycle with no detergent and no clothes. The vinegar will help dissolve soap scum, limescale, and other buildup.

Use Baking Soda for Odors

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run a hot cycle to freshen and deodorize. The baking soda will absorb foul smells.

Disinfect with Bleach

Add 1/2 cup bleach to the drum and run a hot sanitizing cycle to kill mold, mildew, and bacteria. Bleach kills germs and whitens the interior.

Scrub the Gasket

Use an old toothbrush and baking soda paste to scrub the door seal. Pay special attention to folds and crevices where buildup hides.

Dry Out the Drum

After cleaning, prop the door open to allow moisture to evaporate. This prevents new mold growth in damp areas. Place a fan nearby to speed up drying time.

Remove Lint from Pump

Unclogging the drain pump prevent clogs. Carefully pull out lint and hair from the pump filter housing.

Clean Detergent Dispenser

Remove the detergent dispenser from its housing and wash all surfaces with hot, soapy water. Use a small brush to dislodge stuck-on gunk.

Tips for Preventing Buildup

In addition to monthly deep cleaning, you can take these steps to prevent heavy buildup of dirt, scum, and residue:

  • Leave the door open between washes so interior parts dry out
  • Wipe down any visible suds or puddles after each load
  • Run a rinse cycle with vinegar or bleach monthly
  • Use less detergent to reduce residue
  • Run cleaning cycles monthly even if machine looks clean

Signs You Need a Repair

While regular cleaning can solve most washing machine issues, some problems may require professional service. Contact a technician if you notice any of the following:

  • Strong burning smell or electrical sparking
  • Loose or damaged hoses
  • Smoking or water leakage
  • Drum scrapes loudly against the housing
  • Machine won’t drain or spin properly

These may indicate an internal part malfunction or mechanical issue that cleaning cannot fix.

The Consequences of Not Cleaning Your Washer

Neglecting washing machine cleaning and maintenance can lead to some unfortunate outcomes:

Ruined Fabrics

Stains and chemical damage from residue redepositing on clothing is often permanent. Expensive garments, linens, and towels can be discolored.

Foul Odors

The putrid stench of mold, mildew, and bacteria will make you not want to open the machine. Odors can transfer to clothing as well.

Ineffective Cleansing

As grime builds up, your washer won’t properly or thoroughly clean your clothing. You may need to wash items multiple times.

Infestation Risk

Roaches and rodents can be attracted to filthy washing machines with food residues. An infestation is difficult and expensive to eliminate.

Machine Failure

Excess buildup that is left unchecked can lead to corrosion, clogs, pump failures, electrical shorts, and other costly breakdowns.

Health Hazards

Mold spores and bacteria cultures can trigger allergic reactions or illness. Some residue contains harsh chemicals as well.

When to Call a Professional

While DIY cleaning can handle most washing machine buildup issues, calling a professional may be your best option if:

  • You have health limitations that make cleaning difficult
  • Buildup is very thick and excessive
  • Machine components are damaged
  • Electrical, drain, or motor issues are also present
  • Cleaning attempts don’t solve the problems

Appliance repair experts have commercial-grade tools, powerful cleaners, and the know-how to thoroughly clean neglected washers and make repairs. Replacement parts may be needed as well. This provides a deep clean and gets your washer working properly again.

Conclusion

Regularly cleaning your washing machine prevents a slew of problems down the road. Monthly cleaning removes scum, residues, microbes, and odors that accumulate. Catching buildup early protects your laundry, prevents stains, eliminates foul smells, maintains effectiveness, and avoids breakdowns. Implement a routine cleaning plan or contact appliance pros if your washer already has excessive buildup issues. Consistent maintenance keeps your washer fresh and your clothes coming out clean load after load. Ignoring the grime only allows things to get worse over time.