How To Clean Inside Of Washing Machine Agitator
Stop Stinking Up Your Laundry Room. How To Clean Inside Of Washing Machine Agitator.
Look, your washing machine isn’t magic. It eats dirty clothes and spits out clean ones. Mostly. But the guts? They get nasty. Real nasty. Soap scum, lint, mildew. You name it. That buildup? It’s how you get that funky smell. The one that makes you wonder if your clean clothes are actually just… less dirty. Honestly, if you haven’t deep-cleaned your agitator in, say, 2 years? You’re probably in trouble.
I remember this one time, my buddy Dave calls me up. Frantic. His whites were coming out grey. Grey! He’d tried every detergent under the sun. Bleach. Vinegar. Nada. Turns out? His agitator looked like a swamp creature’s nest. Took me an hour to scrub the gunk out. His machine was probably 5 years old. Pathetic.
The Nasty Truth About Your Agitator
The agitator. That big ol’ fied thing in the middle of your top-loader. Its job is to churn your clothes. But the crevices? They trap gunk. And if you got one of those fancy HE machines? The little holes where water comes out? Clogged. Absolutely clogged.
Watch: How To Clean Your Top Load Washing Machine
Get Your Arsenal Ready
You don’t need a hazmat suit. But you DO need some supplies. Here’s the lowdown:
- White Vinegar: The acid cuts through scum. Cheap. Effective. Duh.
- Baking Soda: Mild abrasive. Deodorizer. Goes hand-in-hand with vinegar.
- Old Toothbrush or Small Scrub Brush: For getting into those tight spots.
- Microfiber Cloths: For wiping down. Don’t use paper towels. They shred.
- Optional: Bleach (Use sparingly!): For stubborn mold or mildew. If you use bleach, DON’T mix it with vinegar. That’s how you gas yourself. Seriously.
Watch: Clean and Remove Washer Agitator | GE Washer Agitator …
The Agitator Attack Plan
First off, unplug the damn thing. Safety first, people. No one wants a jolt with their clean laundry.
Step 1: The Vinegar Soak
Pour about 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the agitator. Yeah, right in the middle. Let it sit. For at least an hour. The longer, the better. The thing is, vinegar needs time to work. It’s not instant ramen.
Step 2: The Baking Soda Scrub
After the soak? Dump in about half a cup of baking soda. Now grab that toothbrush. Get in there. Scrub every nook. Every cray. Pay attention to the base where the agitator meets the drum. That’s where the worst buildup happens.
Watch: EASY DIY How to Clean the Washing Machine AGITATOR
Step 3: The Rinse Cycle (Manual Edition)
Wipe out as much of the paste as you can with a damp cloth. Then, run a rinse cycle. Just a rinse cycle. No soap. No clothes. Let the machine do its thing. You’ll see the dirty water. It’s gross. It’s glorious.
Step 4: The Optional Bleach Blast
If you’ve got black spots? Mold? Mildew? This is where bleach comes in. Dilute about half a cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Pour it into the agitator. Run a full wash cycle. NO VINEGAR. Remember that. Then run another rinse cycle to get all the bleach out. Honestly, I’d run a third just to be safe.
Don’t Forget the Rest of the Machine
Your agitator isn’t the only culprit. Wipe down the inside of the drum. Clean the dispenser drawers. Check the rubber seal around the door if you have a front-loader. Gunk hides everywhere. My neighbor, bless her heart, never cleaned her seal. Her towels came out smelling like a gym sock left in a sauna. Took her years to figure it out.
Machine Cleaning Schedule
How often should you do this? Depends on usage. But aim for every 3-6 months. If you wash a lot of sweaty gym clothes? Every 2 months. To be fair, listen to your machine. If it smells, it’s time.
| Usage Level | Recommended Cleaning |
|---|---|
| Light (1-2 loads/week) | Every 6 months |
| Moderate (3-5 loads/week) | Every 3-4 months |
| Heavy (6+ loads/week, gym clothes) | Every 1-2 months |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean the inside of the agitator?
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar inside, let it soak for an hour. Then, scrub with a baking soda paste and a brush. Rinse with a clean water cycle. For mold, a diluted bleach solution can be used, followed by extra rinse cycles.
How to clean the black off the inside of the washer machine?
Black spots are usually mold or mildew. Use a diluted bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon water) poured into the drum. Run a full hot water cycle. Follow up with at least one, preferably two, plain water rinse cycles to remove all bleach residue.
Can I use bleach and vinegar together to clean my washing machine?
Absolutely NOT. Mixing bleach and vinegar creates toxic chlorine gas. It’s dangerous. Clean with one, rinse thoroughly, then use the other if necessary, always rinsing in between.
How often should I deep clean my washing machine agitator?
For most households, every 3 to 6 months is sufficient. If you have heavy usage or wash particularly dirty items (like gym clothes or work uniforms), you might need to clean it every 1 to 2 months.
What if my agitator is really stained or damaged?
If scrubbing and cleaning don’t remove deep stains or if you notice cracks or significant wear, it might be time to consider replacing the agitator or even the entire washing machine. Check your manufacturer’s manual for specific instructions.
