How to Clean a Top-Load Washer — Method, Frequency, Supplies
Fill it with warm water, soak with oxygen bleach for a few hours and scoop out what floats up. That is the whole secret.
What you need
Supplies
- Sodium percarbonate or oxygen washer cleaner
- Warm water 40–50°C (104–122°F)
Tools
- Mesh skimmer or strainer
- Rubber gloves
- Toothbrush
- Bucket
- Dry towel
How to do it
- 01
Wash the lint filter
Remove the lint filter on the inside wall of the tub, shake out lint and hair and scrub it with a toothbrush. A clogged filter lets loosened residue settle back onto clothes.
- 02
Fill with warm water
Fill the tub to the highest level with water at 40–50°C (104–122°F), using the warm setting or a bucket. Oxygen bleach barely dissolves in cold water and loses its power.
- 03
Add oxygen bleach and agitate briefly
Add washer cleaner as directed on the package, or 300–500 g (about 1 1/2–2 cups) of sodium percarbonate. Run a wash or soak cycle for 5 minutes to dissolve it, then pause.
- 04
Soak for 3–5 hours
Close the lid and leave it for 3–5 hours. Black mold and detergent residue from the hidden outer tub start floating to the surface.
- 05
Skim out the residue
Scoop out as much floating residue as you can with the skimmer. Draining it all can clog the hose and drain, so this step matters. Agitate for another 5 minutes and skim again.
- 06
Rinse and dry
Drain and spin, then refill and run a rinse cycle. Repeat 2–3 times until no more residue appears, then leave the lid open for several hours.
Be careful
- Water above 60°C (140°F) can warp washer parts. Stay at 50°C (122°F) or below.
- Bleach (chlorine) together with citric acid or vinegar (acids) releases toxic gas. Use one type at a time.
- Wear rubber gloves with oxygen bleach and keep the powder away from your eyes.
- If your manual has its own tub-cleaning instructions, follow them first.
Malkkeum tips
- A machine cleaned for the first time releases a lot of residue. Do not try to finish in one go; repeat a week later.
- Take laundry out right away and leave the lid open, and you can clean half as often.
- Using more detergent and softener than recommended leaves residue that feeds mold.
How it differs from a front-loader
A top-loader can fill its tub completely, so soaking in warm water and lifting the grime off is the most effective approach. A front-loader uses little water, so this method does not work there and foam can overflow. For front-loaders, follow the front-load washer cleaning guide.
How often, by usage
| Usage | Tub clean | Lint filter |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Monthly | Weekly |
| 3–4 times a week | Every 1–2 months | Every 2 weeks |
| 1–2 times a week | Every 2 months | Monthly |
FAQ
The residue never stops coming. If the machine has not been cleaned in a long time, one round will not be enough. If residue still appears after three rinses, stop for the day and repeat a few days later. The second round releases much less.
