How Long Does Deep Cleaning a Washing Machine Take?
Let’s be real: nobody wants to spend an entire afternoon playing hide-and-seek with soap scum and mold in their washing machine. So how long does it really take to deep clean this home hero? The quick answer is most DIY deep cleaning cycles take about 1.5 hours, while professional services usually clock in between 45 minutes and 2 hours. *Cue dramatic pause* — but hold your detergent tablets, because there’s a bit more to unpack.
DIY Deep Cleaning: The Home Edition
- Time Commitment: Around 1.5 hours total, including 5 minutes of prep and run time for cleaning cycles, plus wiping and drying.
- Typical Process: Running a hot water cycle with a powerful cleaner like white vinegar or an oxygen-based bleach alternative, followed by a rinse cycle and scrubbing the detergent drawer, seals, and exterior.
- Extra Soak: Some older washing machines benefit from a passive soak lasting up to 6 hours to help loosen stubborn grime, but most of that time you’re just waiting on Mother Nature and chemistry to do their thing.
- Maintenance Frequency: Experts recommend deep cleaning your washer every one to three months to keep odors and residue at bay, or at least every six months if you’re a gentler user or on soft water[The Laundress][Avocado Green Mattress Magazine].
Professional Deep Cleaning Services
- Time Range: Typically between 45 minutes and 2 hours depending on machine condition, size, and whether hoses, filters, or pumps need descaling or replacement.
- Thoroughness: These experts often tackle deep cleaning the drum, scrubbing out pipes and hoses, servicing filters, and checking components for maintenance — an all-hands-on-deck approach[Oven Detailing].
How to Deep Clean Your Washing Machine Like a Pro (At Home)
Since you’re here, why not get the best bang for your buck? Here’s the 2024 lowdown on giving your washer a spa day without calling in the cavalry.
- Clean the Door Gasket (Front Loaders): Spray a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, let it chill for a minute, then wipe thoroughly to bust mold hiding in those folds[Lakeland].
- Run a Hot Cleaning Cycle with Vinegar: Use the longest and hottest setting, dumping about 2 cups of white distilled vinegar into the detergent dispenser or drum. Let the magic happen as the vinegar disinfects and dissolves residue[Good Housekeeping].
- Follow with a Baking Soda Cycle: Add half a cup of baking soda straight into the drum and run another hot cycle. Baking soda tackles odors and leftover grime. But don’t mix it with vinegar in the same cycle — they’ll neutralize each other like soap operas in a bathtub[Scrubishly].
- Soak and Scrub Detergent Drawers: Remove them if possible and soak in warm water, scrub off any gunk, rinse, and dry before popping back in.
- Wipe the Exterior and Hard-to-Reach Crevices: A cloth dipped in your trusty vinegar solution does wonders for grime spots lurking around lids, rims, and the outside casing[All South Blog].
- Clean the Filter and Agitator (If Your Model Has Them): Following your manual, remove and rinse filters; for top-loaders, give the agitator a scrub.
- Leave That Door Open: Air drying after cleaning prevents pesky mold and smell reruns[The Maids].
Final Takeaways
Deep cleaning your washing machine isn’t a daylong marathon; it’s more like a well-earned coffee break while machines do their thing. Set aside about an hour and a half, follow a few natural steps, and your washer will be doing double-duty, not just for your clothes but for your nose and peace of mind.
If you want to keep things turbocharged, tread the path of regular maintenance cleans and keep an eye on those seals and filters. Or, if DIY sounds like a dirty word, bring in a pro for a thorough 45–120-minute tune-up.
Ready to upgrade your cleaning arsenal?
Grab trusted washing machine cleaners and accessories here:
Washing Machine Cleaners India | Global & USA Options