How to Clean a Whirlpool Washing Machine?

One of the best things you can do for yourself in this modern world is filling your space with the best household appliances that can help you save a lot of time by automatically getting many chores around the house done with little to no manual input. If you take a good look at how people live and the trend in the United States today, you’ll realize most households are now judged by the number of modern appliances in their homes, which is not a bad thing, considering how much people regard these appliances. Appliances such as refrigerators, cookers, dishwashers, vacuum sealers, air conditioners, and washing machines to mention but a few are now getting a lot of popularity across the globe with ownership rates skyrocketing like never before.

Maintaining your washing machine or any other appliance around the house is not easy, and we are not even about to make it like it’s the easiest thing to do in the world because it’s not. At the same time, because maintaining the appliances in your house is not the easiest thing to do, you should not do what you’re supposed to do because practices like cleaning and maintaining your appliances are what your appliances’ longevity depends on. Cleaning is a big part of maintenance, but, sadly, not too many people understand the concept of cleaning, therefore they don’t pay enough attention to it and that tells heavily on their appliances.

Nobody likes to clean, and that’s a fact people shy away from because that’s just the simple truth. However, we should try to know its importance, not just for our appliances, but for every other thing around the house, because, let’s face it, if you don’t clean your house, you’ll have to deal with the mess that comes with it and that can be very uncomfortable. We guess people are beginning to understand the importance of cleaning, which is why topics like Whirlpool washer self-clean, Whirlpool washer clean with Affresh, How to clean Whirlpool washers without Affresh, and How to clean Whirlpool top load washers – have all trended heavily in the past few years.

It’s ironic how you need to clean the washing machine when its primary job is to help you clean your clothes, but that’s where the mystery lies: every machine, regardless of its responsibility, needs to be properly cleaned to keep them functioning at the highest level possible. According to Caylin Harris of Martha Stewart, it is “counterintuitive” to be forced to regularly clean a machine that is used to clean other items, but it’s not something you can avoid if you want to preserve the life of the machine in question. Courtney Hartford, the author of The Cleaning Ninja, cleaning your washing machine should be done at least once a month as this practice will help ensure that your washing machine continues functioning at the highest level.

The truth is, if you don’t clean your washing machine as regularly as you should, you’ll have to deal with the problems that come with not cleaning your washing machine and these are problems that can take a lot to fix. The thought of spending a lot of money fixing problems that could have been avoided if you had taken out some time to clean the washing machine should be enough to want to push through whatever may be discouraging you from cleaning the machine in the first place. Courtney Hartford further explains that you should always see cleaning your washing machine as a preventive measure to keep everything in check rather than having the problems come up and looking for solutions for them.

You should know there is a problem when you start noticing some odd smells from the clothes coming out of the washing machine that’s meant to help make your clothes clean and fresh. The whole idea of cleaning your washing machine regularly is to avoid getting in that situation in the first place because you will spend more time than you have to be as you’ll be forced to wash the smelly clothes again after you must have properly cleaned the washing machine itself. Leaving your washing machine without cleaning it can also cause you to see different types of debris buildup such as leaves, pet fur, and many others, around the seal.

The results may even be beyond debris as soap residue from your detergents and other laundry products can create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow in your washing machine, which you won’t love at all because it’ll make your washing machine very messy. If you also have hard water running in your home, it can affect your washing machine if you don’t know how to deal with hard water, especially if your washer tub is stainless steel. This will clog up the inner workings of the machine, and if you don’t pay proper attention to it soon enough, it will still affect the machine’s functionalities, leading to the transfer of odors between clothes and unpredictable washer temperatures.

Why Do You Need To Clean Your Whirlpool Washing Machine?

Whirlpool is one of the most popular washing brands in the U.S. washing machine market, and the brand has survived the heavy competition without losing its relevance for many years because it knows just how to manufacture strong and reliable washing machines that people find very appealing. When people see strong and reliable washing machines, they tend to abuse the machines’ reliability by expecting them to survive whatever they put these machines through, but, in reality, this is not right as these machines can break down if they’re not properly treated and maintained. One of the best ways to maintain your washing machine is by cleaning it regularly, so if you don’t clean your washer, you should be prepared for whatever problems you have to face as a result.

For some people, they only need those consequences if they don’t clean their washers as the nudge to push them to clean their washing machines because they want to avoid these consequences. For others, they don’t even need to be told of the things that could happen if they don’t clean their washers – they believe cleaning is essential and has to be carried out regularly, so regardless of the consequences, they’ll always make out time to clean their washers. If you happen to fall in the former category and you need to be pushed to the edge before you understand how important cleaning your washing machine is, below are some of the reasons why it’s very important for you to clean your washer.

To Prolong the Washer’s Life

This is the simplest and most logical reason anyone could give you to clean your washing machine – if you truly want your washing machine to last long, you need to regularly clean it; no more, no less. Your washer is one of the most expensive investments you can make as far as purchasing major household appliances are concerned, so you cannot be spending such an amount of money on a washing machine and not care how long it lasts. Although that are other important factors that determine how long a washing machine lasts, cleaning remains a very vital part of these factors and must be taken very seriously.

According to HomeX, a washing machine can last up to 14 years while a dryer can spend as much as 24 years before finally losing its touch. Speed Queen washing machines can last up to 25 years because they are industrial-standard washers as that’s what the Speed Queen brand is known for. The other factors that contribute to how long your washing machine lasts include the brand of the appliance, just like we mentioned earlier, how you use it, and how many loads you make the washing machine handle any time you operate it.

To Protect Your Family From Germs

Another thing that should encourage you to regularly clean your washing machine is that when you do, you’re not only prolonging the washer’s life or keeping it functioning at the highest level – you’re also making sure your family is protected from harmful germs. If you remember, we mentioned earlier that when you leave some things to build up in your washing machine, you will start having bacteria in the washer tub, especially if the tub is stainless steel because there’s no better environment for mold and bacteria to grow that a tub or gasket seal with dirt and moisture.

If you leave these particles in your washer without cleaning them, they will rub off on your clothes, and wearing them may cause something else because these particles are not in any way healthy. Once the washer starts stinking badly, there’s no way it’ll be capable of producing clean and fresh clothes because the smells will start to come off on your clothes, so you should know regularly washing your washer will help avert this problem and always leave you with fresh clothes all the time. Keeping your washer cleaned all the time, you’re also protecting your family from harmful germs and unpleasant smells on their clothes.

To Keep the Washer’s Functions 100%

This is something we’re all well aware of – if you don’t clean your washer as it should, the buildups will definitely affect the washing machine’s functionality, and that may cause you some problems which will be daunting to fix, not to talk of the money you could spend trying to get things right back on track. Take for example some of the hoses and pipes are clogged as a result of not cleaning the washing machine properly, there will definitely be problems with the inflow and outflow of water in the washing machine, which will reduce the efficiency of the washer because you won’t always get the result you want. We mentioned earlier that cleaning your washing machine regularly is a preventive measure to avoid dealing with issues that can cause you to spend a lot of money at the end of the day.

Although with time the washing machine will drop to a different level as far as efficiency is concerned, it doesn’t have to happen so early as a result of you not cleaning it as much as you should. Cleaning the washer regularly will help you keep it functioning at the highest level possible. However, if the level of efficiency has dropped and you’ve used it for quite some time, it might be the right time to start considering purchasing a new one. Meanwhile, we have a detailed guide on the things you can do with an old washing machine if you don’t want to get rid of it.

Cleaning a Whirlpool Front Load Washer (Vinegar and Baking Soda)

Step 1

If you’re cleaning the gasket, lid, door, lint filters, and outside of your front load washing machine, the first thing to do is to empty the washer by taking out anything everything you have in the washer tub.

Step 2

Once you’re done emptying the washer, the next thing to do is to run a long, hot cycle so the tough stains in the washer tub can get soaked before you now move to the next step, which is to fill the washer with about 2–3 cups of white vinegar.

Step 3

Leave the white vinegar in the washing machine for a minute after you must have allowed the washer to agitate for about a minute extra, then proceed to pause the washer.

Step 4

After leaving the vinegar solution to soak in the washer for about a minute, proceed to add about ½ cup of baking soda, let the washer agitate for about a minute, pause the washer, and allow the whole solution to soak in the washer for about an hour before release it to finish the cycle. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to clean the washing machine (using vinegar and baking soda).

How To Clean My Whirlpool Washer

Whether you’re using your Whirlpool washer cleaning cycle (Whirlpool washer self-clean) or you’re using the Whirlpool clean washer cycle with bleach, knowing how to wash Whirlpool washing machines goes a long way, and it will save you a lot of money if you get all the steps correctly. However, when using some information provided online like the one we’re providing as Whirlpool washer cleaning instructions, you need to perfectly understand that they vary by model; i.e. the location of your washer’s drain pump and how the detergent dispenser is designed will be tested here. To avoid mistakes, you have to find your washer’s model number on your washing machine and punch it on Whirlpool’s official website to get the perfect instructions.

Cleaning the Filter

If you’re familiar with air conditioners, you’ll realize how important their filters are, so when they get dirty, you may not get the results you want as long as efficiency is concerned, and the same rule applies to the washing machine. You may not even know that your washing machine has a filter, but it does, and it requires you to regularly clean it to preserve the washer’s life span. The drain pump filter is where debris and lint accumulates, and as much as it’s not necessary to clean the washer every time you wash the washing machine, you should always check it out at least once every few months to ensure it’s still working efficiently.

You can always access the drain pump filter at the panel area close to the bottom of the washing machine, and to clean it, you’ll need a towel and a container to collect any dirt found in the filter. When handling the filter, always ensure the washer is unplugged from a power source. It’s important that you follow this simple rule before you open this part of the washing machine for your own safety.

Outside the Washer

People don’t often concern themselves with cleaning the outside of the washing machine, and while it may not be as important as cleaning the inside, you should always do it whenever you have the chance to, at least to protect the design. To clean the outside of the washer, wipe down the body with a washing machine cleaning wipes or a soapy, wet cloth. For the knobs, you can always use a toothbrush soaked in soapy water. As soon as you’re done, use a clean cloth to dry the body of the washer.

Rubber Seal and Door

Ask any front-loading washing machine user, and they’ll tell you the rubber seal is one of the most important parts of the washing machine. However, this is also a part of the machine that accommodates mildew and mold as time goes on if you don’t care for it properly. You can use washing machine cleaner wipes to clean the inside and outside of the seal and you can also use an all-purpose washer cleaner to clean both the door and rubber seal of your Whirlpool washing machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is the filter in a Whirlpool washing machine?

You can always find the drain close to the bottom of the washing machine at the panel area. You just have to be very careful when accessing this part as you have to ensure the machine has been unplugged from a power source to avoid minor accidents.

2. How do I clean sludge out of my top loader washing machine?

You can use baking soda, hot water, and vinegar to get rid of sludge in your washing machine. Use the right amount of these substances, and let the mixture sit perfectly as you scrub the upper inside part with a toothbrush.

Wrapping Up

There are only a few better things you can do to help yourself in the house than getting a washing machine, and that’s a fact everybody is aware of. The washing machine has become one of the most important household appliances, with people now finally embracing all the good things that come with having a washing machine in their laundry rooms. The downside, however, is, just like every appliance, you need to regularly clean your washing machine to keep it functioning at the highest level. If you invest in a good brand like Whirlpool, you shouldn’t worry about cleaning being daunting because the washer comes with all the necessary features that make cleaning very easy. In this article, we’ve discussed how to clean a Whirlpool washing machine, so you can have the best instructions to work with.