How to Degrease a Washing Machine

Keeping your washing machine clean prevents stains on clothing.

Clean your washing machine to remove the grease, maintain cleanliness, and keep the appliance performing to the best of its ability.

1. Combine 1 gallon of hot water with 1 cup of ammonia in a bucket. Wet a clean cloth in the ammonia solution and wring out the excess moisture so the cloth is wet but not dripping.

2. Scrub the grease stains inside the wash machine with the ammonia solution. As the grease is lifted, rinse the cloth, apply more ammonia solution, and continue to scrub until all the grease is removed.

3. Tackle grease stuck in the drainage holes inside the washing machine by using vinegar. Fill the washing machine with warm water and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Run the washing machine on a normal wash cycle to allow the vinegar to remove the grease.

4. Keep the lid of the washing machine open after it drains to allow the washing machine to air dry.

Tip

Substitute the ammonia solution with baking soda sprinkled on a wet sponge to remove grease stains. Pretreat clothing with heavy grease stains to avoid transfer of grease to your washing machine.

Warning

Rinse out ammonia cleaner from your washing machine before using bleach in the washing machine to avoid a chemical reaction resulting in strong fumes.