How to Use Bleach in Your Washing Machine

Co-authored by James Sears

Last Updated: March 25, 2021

Using bleach in your washing machine can be a game-changer, but only if you use it the right way. Adding bleach at the wrong time or not diluting it first can lead to a laundry catastrophe (think bleach stains all over your favorite clothes). Don’t worry—this wikiHow will walk you through the dos and don’ts of using bleach in your washing machine so you can keep your clothes bright and stain-free.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Bleaching Items in the Washing Machine

1
Adjust your washing machine to the highest heat setting. High temperatures help to activate the bleach and make it more effective. Press the “hot cycle” button or turn the dial to the highest temperature.^{[1]
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- Check the label of each item before you put it in the machine. If it can’t be exposed to hot water, set the machine to a warm wash instead.
2
Place a capful of laundry detergent into the washing machine. This helps to agitate the dirt out of the clothes and removes stains. Pour the laundry detergent directly into the barrel of the machine (or into the dispenser, if your washing machine has one.)^{[2]
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- If you are washing white items, consider using a laundry detergent that is designed for whites, as this helps to brighten them.
- If you don’t have any laundry detergent, use laundry powder instead.
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3
Pour the bleach into the dispenser if you have a front-loading machine. Open the bleach dispenser slot on the front of the washing machine and pour in 1 capful of bleach.^{[3]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} The machine will automatically release the bleach into the water once the machine has filled up. This ensures that none of the laundry items are exposed to undiluted bleach.^{[4]
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- If your front-loading washing machine doesn’t have a bleach dispenser, dilute the bleach in 1 litre (34 fl oz) of water and add it directly into the barrel of the machine.
4
Sprinkle the bleach into the water if you have a top-loading machine. Press start on your washing machine and wait for the water to fill up the barrel. Then, open the lid and pour in 1 capful of bleach. This prevents your laundry items from being stained by the bleach.^{[5]
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- It normally takes about 5 minutes for the washing machine to fill up.
- If your machine has a bleach compartment, put the bleach in the compartment before starting the cycle.
5
Set the machine to a regular wash.^{[6]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Adjust the washing machine to the regular length cycle. This gives the bleach enough time to be absorbed into the fibers of the fabric. Then, press start on the machine.^{[7]
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- If you are washing delicate items, select the delicate cycle instead.
6
Dry your laundry as usual. Hang your laundry on a washing line or place it in the dryer. Make sure that the items don’t drip on the carpet or on pieces of clothing, as the remnants of the bleach in your wet laundry can mark fabric.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Sanitizing Your Washing Machine with Bleach

1
Set the washing machine to a hot, long wash. Push the hot wash button and then select the long wash option. The heat of the hot wash activates the bleach and helps it to deep-clean the machine.
- Don’t put any clothes in the washing machine.
2
Add 1 quart (946 mL) of bleach into the machine. Bleach helps to sanitize the machine and reduces any lingering odors. Opt for laundry bleach instead of regular cleaning bleach, as this will be more gentle on your clothes – cleaning bleach can damage the fibers in your clothes and shouldn’t be used in a washing machine.^{[9]
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3
Pause the cycle to allow the bleach to soak in for 1 hour. Wait 1 minute for the washing machine to fill up with water and then lift the lid or push the pause button to temporarily stop the cycle. Leave the bleach solution to sit in the machine to give it time to sanitize and clean the barrel.^{[10]
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- If you have a top-loading machine, leave the lid open to allow the fumes to escape. Don’t worry about this if you have a front-loading machine – the fumes will dissipate once the cycle finishes.
4
Restart the machine to allow the cycle to finish. Press the start button on the machine to restart the cycle. This pushes the water through the entire barrel and then empties it out the pipes, which helps to clean the entire internal plumbing of the machine.^{[11]
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- Bleach your washing machine once a month to keep it in stellar condition.
- You may want to run a second rinse cycle to help clean out any bleach residue.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}

Expert Q&A
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Question

Where should I put bleach in my washing machine?

James Sears
Professional Cleaner
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James is an expert in all things clean and provides transformative experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a current Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Most washing machines have a special compartment or drawer where you can pour your bleach.
Question

How much bleach do I use to bleach my clothes?

James Sears
Professional Cleaner
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James is an expert in all things clean and provides transformative experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a current Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

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Add 1 capful of bleach to the bleach compartment on your washing machine. This is enough to bleach a load of laundry.
Question

Do I need to rinse the washer after using bleach?

James Sears
Professional Cleaner
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James is an expert in all things clean and provides transformative experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a current Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you're worried about bleach remaining in the washer, you might want to run an extra rinse cycle to get rid of any remaining residue.