Soap scum can be removed from a washing machine by cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing the machine. The materials you need to clean out the soap scum are 6 cups of white vinegar, 1 quart of chlorine bleach, cotton swabs and warm water.
Unplug the machine; remove and wash the dispensers
Unplug the washing machine and remove the soap and fabric softener dispensers. Wash the dispensers thoroughly in 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of warm water. Wash the dispensers every six weeks to minimize buildup.
Clean the machine's gaskets and seals
Combine 1 cup of warm water and 1cup of white vinegar. Dip the cotton swab into the solution and thoroughly clean the machine opening and the gaskets and crevices inside the machine. Clean around the door seal. If the washer is a front loader, clean under the lip seal of the door. Dip a wet cloth into the cleaning solution and wipe the entire machine clean.
Sanitize and sterilize the washing machine
Set the washing machine's temperature to hot and add in 1 quart of bleach. If the machine is a front loader, add in 2 cups of bleach. Fill the tub. Pause the machine and allow the bleach and water to soak for 30 minutes. Re-start the tub and rinse for two cycles.
Deodorize the washing machine
Once the bleach solution is completely rinsed out of the machine, set the machine to hot and add in 1 quart of white vinegar. Fill the tub, pause the machine and let the vinegar and water soak for 30 minutes. Re-start the tub and rinse for one cycle.
