If you are like me and have a top-loading washing machine and do a lot of laundry, you very often look down to see this brown scum that has built up on the agitator. I know a lot of people use bleach and brushes, but there is a super easy solution to clean your washing machine in less than 5 minutes!
This brown scum you are seeing is soap scum from your detergent. It’s just like the soap scum you clean out of your shower.
To clean this soap scum off of your washing machine agitator, start by emptying all your clothes out of your machine. Then grab one of these magic little gems from Mr. Clean called a magic eraser. They cost about $3.50 for a four-count box.
Wet the magic eraser and rub the agitator, you don’t need to use a lot of pressure believe it or not.
See how the soap scum starts to just come right off with the magic eraser?
Make sure you don’t forget to clean the bottom of the agitator blades as well. When you are done just turn on the water to rinse and put in your next load of clothes!
I love quick cleaning tips and I recently did a roundup of 25 DIY Cleaners and Cleaning Tips you might want to check out.
Deanna R. Jones says
Thanks for the tips! I’ve seen similar stains in my washing machine. Being able to clean those stains away in less than five minutes would be great so that I can get on with finishing my laundry. I didn’t know that those stains are actually soap scum from my detergent. Using a scrubber seems like a great way to get rid of that mildew. Do you have any tips for preventing it from staining my washer? I would like to be able to wash my clothes using detergent without mildew growing on my washing machine.
Kelley W says
Do you have a top loader or front loader, Deanna? If it starts to smell like mildew and is a top loader I usually do an empty load with 1 cup of Clorox and 1 cup of vinegar and that takes care of the problem. Anytime you leave clothes in the washer too long just rewash with soap and a cup of vinegar and it will take the smell right out of your clothes.
Kevin Smith says
Thanks for the great and useful tips ever, Kelly.
Contact Arlo support says
Washing machine cleaning is very important to keep our washing machine good. We can also clean our machine naturally. Using vinegar, hot water and bleaching we can wash our washing machine. This process is also helpful if we don’t clean the machine for a long time and a bad smell is coming out from the machine. So, this process helps to remove smell permanently.
Arlo Support Number says
To avoid damaging your washer or your clothing, you need to maintain and care for your machine properly.It’s best to avoid using harsh cleaners, notably those that contain ammonia. You should also shy away from anything that’s too abrasive, like gritty cleaners or Brillo pads. Harsh cleaners can damage your machine. Those who prefer a particularly light touch can use vinegar, although this sometimes create odor problems, so use it sparingly.
Arlo Support Number says
HI
To avoid damaging your washer or your clothing, you need to maintain and care for your machine properly.It’s best to avoid using harsh cleaners, notably those that contain ammonia. You should also shy away from anything that’s too abrasive, like gritty cleaners or Brillo pads. Harsh cleaners can damage your machine. Those who prefer a particularly light touch can use vinegar, although this sometimes create odor problems, so use it sparingly.
Thanks for Nice Article.
Micheal says
This is one of the best methods to clean the washing machine. It can help to sustain a longevity of the machine as well. Nice post thanks for sharing.
Elias brown says
Thanks for the useful tips, Kelly.
Carol says
On my own, I have been seeing this “scum” finally decided to try and get rid of it. First I tried a lite amount of dish detergent (which has worked in my bath tubs) – very little came off; then I tried vinegar – nothing came off; last and what worked GREAT were the “Mr. Clean Sponges” — my machine agitator looks as new as the rest of my nineteen year old machine.