The Gross Part Of Your Front Load Washer That Desperately Needs A Clean

Front-load washers are efficient, capable machines that make doing laundry a breeze, but they can also be quite needy and high maintenance. No matter what front-load washer brand you own, it gets pretty gross after a few months of washing your family's clothes, towels, sneakers, blankets, and anything machine-washable. While you probably know of some cleaning hacks that help keep your washing machine sparkling clean, there's a hidden part we bet you've probably been neglecting, which will completely "baffle" you. It's front-load washer baffles, and they can be terrifying to remove and look under.

Top-load machines have agitators and fins to move the clothes around. Since front-load washers are built without an agitator, baffles are attached to the inside of the drum and are an essential part of your washing machine, acting as paddles to gently toss your laundry around as it's washed. However, not every washing machine has baffles that can be removed. If yours aren't removable because they're part of the drum or are stainless steel, consider yourself lucky because you only have to clean the door's gasket, inside of the drum, filter, and detergent dispenser. For those with removable baffles, it's another spot in your front-load washing machine that you must maintain. Professionals say you should deep clean your front-load washing machine every month or every 30 loads. But if you don't keep up a regular cleaning cadence, prepare yourself for what you'll uncover when removing the baffles from your front loader.

Gunk can get stuck in various crevices of your front-load washer, and the most notorious is around the rubber door gasket. Some experts recommend using bleach to wipe out bacteria, mold, and dirt buildup. But this doesn't remove the icky grime left behind that makes its way to the underneath part of your machine's baffles. For that, the baffles have to be removed to keep your machine running in tip-top shape. It typically takes a screwdriver to loosen the baffles from the drum. Then, they should slide off (or however yours come loose). Soak the baffles in white vinegar water and scrub them with a brush to remove the muck. Take a toothbrush and vinegar water to remove the crud inside the drum that didn't come off when you removed the baffles. And trust us, there will still be gunk.

Some washers have a setting for cleaning the tub on an empty cycle. This helps flush out the excess buildup inside the important components that ultimately make your laundry smell anything but fresh. But if yours doesn't, run an empty load on the hottest temperature setting. Don't forget to drop in a washing machine cleaner tablet. The last step before reattaching the baffles is to leave your front-load washing machine door open to let everything air dry, otherwise, the mold will return and the process starts immediately back up. Since every manufacturer is different, check the owner's manual for how frequently you should clean your machine and underneath the baffles.