For many households, the washing machine is one appliance that's impossible to live without. Used multiple times a week, it's essential for keeping your clothes, towels and sheets clean and fresh.

It can be easy to overlook cleaning the things we use to clean other things, but major appliances like washing machines do need to be cleaned and properly maintained to optimize performance and ensure ...

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Andrea Barnes Andrea Barnes is a writer covering large cleaning appliances.

A little maintenance goes a long way toward fresher laundry. Even if you have your laundry routine down to a science, you might not even know that your washing machine has a lint trap—much less that ...

Conflicting opinions abound regarding the safety and efficacy of using mouthwash as a washing machine cleaner and ...

Pour vinegar in, run a hot cycle, then sprinkle baking soda and run another—say goodbye to funky smells and gunky residue. Give the drum baffles and rubber seals some love with a toothbrush and soapy ...

Even if you have your laundry routine down to a science, you might not even know that your washing machine has a lint trap—much less that it requires regular cleaning. But, much like your dryer's lint ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Damian Lugowski / Getty Images Even if you have your laundry routine down to a science, you might not even know that your washing ...

Even if you have your laundry routine down to a science, you might not even know that your washing machine has a lint trap—much less that it requires regular cleaning. But, much like your dryer's lint ...