Older models may not have a bleach dispenser. If this is the case with your washer, simply add between a half and a full cup of bleach directly into your machine’s tub. [1] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source If your bleach dispenser holds less than a quarter cup of bleach, you may want to consider using concentrated bleach. This will allow you to use the bleach dispenser but get the cleaning power of more bleach. [2] X Research source
The hot cycle does require more energy than a cold cycle, but if you only clean your washer every few months, you are not using than much more energy.
Make sure the washer is empty when you run it. Any fabrics that are left in the washer will get bleach on them.
You can stop the cycle on most machines by opening the door or pulling on the dial.
Some people also suggest that you put a little vinegar in with this second wash to really get rid of the bleach. However, mixing bleach and vinegar can cause dangerous chlorine gas to be created, so this should not be done. [4] X Research source
The bleach solution should be made by mixing ½ cup bleach with 1 gallon (3. 8 L) water. [5] X Research source Wiping down the inside of the door before you run a wash cycle will assure that any bleach that remains gets washed away.
You may also want to pour a bit of bleach into the laundry detergent dispenser in your washer. Using about a 1/2 cup of bleach in the detergent dispenser will help to clean out the whole washer.
You may also want to turn the “extra rinse” function on if your washer has one. This will make sure that the bleach you use is fully removed at the end of cleaning.
Some machines have a special “Maintenance Cycle” or “Clean Out Cycle” that you can run. These cycles are designed to be most effective for cleaning out your washer.
Front-loading washers tend to allow dirt and grime to build up easier than traditional top-loading washers because they use less water and their design allows it to happen. Because of this, it’s a good idea to sanitize a front-loading washer more often than you would a traditional top-loading washer.
Even though you run soap and bleach through these areas, they can have dirt and debris build-up. This is especially true of the detergent compartment, because of the sticky nature of liquid detergent.
