Our washers and dryers work hard for us day in and day out. Just ask any great- or great-great grandmother and they will tell you: the washing machine is one of the world’s greatest inventions!

Yet, most of us have never been taught how to clean these appliances properly. That’s right, all washers and dryers (top-loading and front-loading) need regular cleaning to keep them running smoothly and prevent maintenance issues.

The good news is cleaning these workhorses only takes a few minutes every few months, and does not require harsh chemicals.

How To Clean and Descale a Washing Machine (Top Loader + Front Loaders) 

Vinegar for Cleaning

Many washers have a self-clean feature, which usually includes using bleach on a special setting. We highly recommend against using bleach (sodium hypochlorite) because it is classified as a pesticide under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. It’s also a lung and skin irritant, asthmagen, carcinogen, and is involved in more household poisonings than any other chemical.

What should you use instead? Plain old distilled white vinegar will do the trick for basic cleaning. To verify this, we even called the manufacturers of several appliance brands of front- and top-loading washers. They all wholeheartedly agreed that white vinegar is an acceptable and beneficial alternative to bleach! Plus, if you have hard water, it will help descale and reduce mineral deposits, which can wear down your washer over time.

Read more about The Impact of Soft And Hard Water On Laundry. So, you’re safe to make the switch (and if you’re in doubt, you can call, email, or DM the manufacturer to ask).

Descaling the Machines

Type: Top Loading Washing Machine

• Fill with hot water, add one gallon of vinegar, and run for 10 minutes.
• Turn off the washer and let the solution stand overnight.
• In the morning, run your washer through a complete cycle.

Type: Front Loading (HE) Washing Machine

• Run 1 gallon of distilled white vinegar through a full hot-water wash cycle with no detergent, or use the self-clean cycle.
• This will reduce scale and mineral build-up.

Repeat periodically or monthly if you have very hard water.

How to Detoxify Your Top and Front-Loading Washing Machine

These instructions are for deep cleaning a washer that hasn’t been cleaned in a while (if ever!), and for detoxifying your washing machine from chemical-based detergents and fragrance. Learn more about the what, whys, and hows of this method in Detoxifying Your Laundry Room. Typically, you’ll only need to do this once or any time you use chemical-based detergents… which we hope you don’t have to!

Step 1:

• Fill the washer with warm water (hydrogen peroxide works better in warm rather than hot water). 
• Add 2-4 cups hydrogen peroxide, a 2 lb. box of baking soda, and 1 scoop Branch Basics Laundry Detergent*
• Run on a long cycle.
  *For those who prefer to use the laundry solution made with water and Branch Basics Concentrate, you can use 1/4 cup of that solution instead.

Step 2:

• Fill washer with hot water
• Add 2 to 4 cups of vinegar. This helps reduce odors and remove detergent and/or mineral buildup.
• Run through a long cycle. 

Additional treatment

• • Spray Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner in the washer when not running
  • Wipe down with a microfiber cloth

How to Clean Established Mold From Your Front Loader's Gasket

Front loader washer seals and gaskets are prone to mold and mildew, especially if you live in a hot, humid climate or keep your appliances in the basement. That is why you should always leave your front loader door open between washings to prevent mold growth, and clean it once per month.

Here’s how to clean your front loader washer seal and gasket:

• Pull back the gasket
• Spray liberally with Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner
• Let sit a couple of minutes
• Then dip a microfiber or scrubbing brush in hot water and scrub the sprayed area under the gasket
• Use a damp or dry microfiber cloth for the final wipe
• Next, spray the drum and seal with distilled white vinegar, wait 5 minutes, scrub, and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. Follow the same procedure with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
• If necessary, repeat the entire process until no mold issues remain.

Cleaning the Detergent Drawer in a Front-Loader Washing Machine

Front loader detergent drawers can become a haven for detergent buildup, mold, debris, and germs.

• Remove the entire detergent drawer
• Wipe out the empty cavity with a microfiber cloth sprayed with Branch Basics All Purpose Cleaner
• Spray the drawer with Branch Basics All Purpose Cleaner
• Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to clean thoroughly
• Wash and rinse with warm water
• Dry cavity and drawer
• Return the drawer to the washing machine

How to Clean a Front-Load Dryer (and Any Dryer)

Just like your washer, choose the right method for your dryer based on whether it needs a basic monthly clean or you’re detoxifying chemicals from detergent residue, dryer sheets, etc.

Clean Your Dryer Using Branch Basics

• Spray Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner on the dryer interior
• Spray a damp towel with Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner and run through a drying cycle

Detoxify Your Dryer

Alternate between the following methods:

1. Use Medina’s BOC, an all-natural product that helps to break down chemicals, neutralizes mycotoxins from mold, and decomposes hydrocarbons.

• • Spray undiluted BOC on the dryer interior
  • Close the dryer for 1 hour
  • Open up and ventilate
  • Spray a damp towel with BOC and run through a drying cycle

Repeat this process until all odors are gone. 

      2. Use Branch Basics

• • Spray Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner on the dryer interior
  • Spray a damp towel with Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner and run through a drying cycle

Why Clean Your Washer & Dryer? 

The idea of taking extra time to clean an appliance that is designed to clean and sterilize doesn’t exactly speak to common sense. However, without regular cleaning, washing machines experience a build-up of detergent, minerals, and/or mold and mildew, all of which hamper performance. 

Likewise, your dryer should be cleaned out regularly to prevent build up of lint, dust, microplastics, and other particles, which, if left alone, will circulate throughout the house, degrading your indoor air quality.

Also, if you’re switching from chemical-based and/or fragranced laundry products to Branch Basics or another human-safe brand (congratulations!), you’ll need to take a few extra steps to deep clean and detoxify your machines from these harmful chemicals.

The result is better performing appliances, which means cleaner clothes with less detergent, shorter dry times, better energy efficiency overall, no synthetic chemical residues from previously used products, and improved air quality throughout your whole home!

Related read: 6 Safe Laundry Room Essentials: A Complete Checklist

FAQs

Should you use bleach to clean your washing machine?

No; we recommend against it. Many washers have a self-clean feature that usually includes using bleach on a special setting, but bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is classified as a pesticide under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. It's also a lung and skin irritant, asthmagen, and carcinogen, and is involved in more household poisonings than any other chemical. 

Use plain distilled white vinegar instead—it will do the trick for basic cleaning, and if you have hard water it will also help descale and reduce mineral deposits.

Does vinegar clean a washing machine?

Yes. To verify this, we even called the manufacturers of several appliance brands of front- and top-loading washers. They all wholeheartedly agreed that white vinegar is an acceptable and beneficial alternative to bleach. Plus, if you have hard water, it will help descale and reduce mineral deposits, which can wear down your washer over time. Read more about The Impact of Soft And Hard Water On Laundry.

For a top loader, fill with hot water, add one gallon of vinegar, and run for 10 minutes; for a front loader, run one gallon through a full hot-water wash cycle with no detergent.

How do you disinfect a washer and dryer naturally?

Fill the washer with warm water—hydrogen peroxide works better in warm rather than hot water — then add 2–4 cups hydrogen peroxide, a 2 lb. box of baking soda, and 1 scoop of Branch Basics Laundry Detergent or ¼ cup of the liquid laundry solution made with water and Branch Basics Concentrate. Run on a long cycle. For the dryer, spray Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner on the interior, then spray a damp towel with the same dilution and run it through a drying cycle.

Learn more about the what, whys, and hows of this method in Detoxifying Your Laundry Room.

Toss the Toxins with Branch Basics 

By learning how to clean your washer and dryer naturally, you’ll extend the life of your appliances, save energy, and keep your laundry routine toxin-free. Ready to make the switch?  Try Branch Basics today for safe, natural cleaning.

Want More Tips On How To Clean And Detoxify Your Whole Laundry Room?

Believe it or not, chemical residues and fragrance from chemical-based laundry soap can dwell on your laundry room surfaces for years. Where they quietly pollute not only your laundry room but your entire home’s air. Fortunately, you can remediate this yourself by switching to non-toxic laundry products and deep-cleaning your laundry room. These articles walk you through the process step-by-step:

Detoxifying Your Laundry Room—gives a full tutorial on getting rid of established fragrance/chemical residue in your laundry room for good (a great procedure to use when you buy a new home and/or switch from chemical-based detergents).

Dangerous Detergent: Is My Laundry Detergent Toxic?—takes a deep dive into the little-told history of chemical-based laundry detergents, how they impact our health, and how to read detergent labels to find a truly human-safe brand.

And of course, check out our free Toss the Toxins course, where you'll learn our step-by-step, room-by-room system of creating a healthier home by removing all products with harmful chemicals. It’s well worth the effort and much easier than you’d think!