Alright, so check it out, I finally got around to cleaning my Electrolux washing machine. It was looking kinda grimey, you know?

First things first, I unplugged that sucker. Safety first, people! Then I started by wiping down the outside with a damp cloth and some dish soap. Nothing fancy, just the regular stuff. Got rid of all the dust and splatters.

Next up, the detergent dispenser. This thing was a mess. Pulled it out – it usually just slides right out – and soaked it in hot, soapy water. Scrubbed it with an old toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies. Seriously, so much gunk in there. Rinsed it good and set it aside to dry.

Now for the drum. I read online that you can use vinegar and baking soda. Seemed easy enough. I dumped about a cup of baking soda directly into the drum and then poured about two cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Closed that baby up and ran a hot water cycle. Just a regular cycle, nothing special.

While that was running, I tackled the rubber seal around the door. This is where things get real nasty. So much mildew and grime hiding in those folds. I made a paste out of baking soda and water and smeared it all over the seal. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, using an old toothbrush and some elbow grease, I scrubbed the hell out of it. Wiped it all down with a damp cloth. Man, what a difference!

Once the hot water cycle finished, I ran another rinse cycle, just to make sure all the vinegar and baking soda were gone.

After that, I found the drain pump filter. It's usually located at the bottom front of the machine, behind a little access panel. I opened it up – be ready with a towel, because some water will come out – and cleaned out all the lint and debris. There was even a rogue sock in there! Crazy.

Finally, I left the washing machine door open to air it out completely. Gotta let that moisture escape, otherwise, you're just asking for more mildew.

Here's a quick recap:

• Unplug the machine
• Wipe down the outside
• Clean the detergent dispenser
• Run a hot water cycle with vinegar and baking soda
• Scrub the rubber seal
• Clean the drain pump filter
• Air it out!

Honestly, the whole process took me maybe an hour, and it was totally worth it. The washing machine smells way better, and I feel good knowing it's actually clean. I'm gonna try to do this every couple of months to keep it in tip-top shape.

Give it a shot! You'll be surprised how much cleaner your clothes get when your machine is actually clean too!