How to clean your washing machine — and the risk not cleaning can pose

NBC Selected independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.

Even on your most thorough cleaning day, one of the last places you might prioritize is your washing machine. For an appliance that’s constantly filled with detergent and water, you probably don’t think of it as being dirty. Ironically, though, your washing machine, just like your dishwasher, air fryer and coffee maker, could use a cleaning every once in a while. Plus, cleaning a washing machine regularly helps it work better, according to Ryan Knoll, owner of home cleaning company TidyCasa.

In fact, “if you’ve ever run a cycle and your clothes still smell bad, [your washer] probably needs to be cleaned,” he says.

To learn more about how to clean a washing machine the right way, whether it’s a top loader or front loader, I spoke with Knoll and another cleaning expert for their guidance and the best products to help you do it.

Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

We’re going to break down the simple steps for cleaning a washing machine below. But first…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health