You’d think that a machine designed to keep your clothes fresh and clean would clean itself. But washing machines need to be cleaned at least once a year.

Think of the dirt, grease and grime that your washer handles on a near-daily basis. They power the worst out of diapers, grass-stained denim, food-stained cotton and more.

Your clothes emerge spotless, but they leave some of that gunk behind. Laundry detergents can build up in the tub, pump and hoses. That build-up can make your washing machine less efficient and also can harm your clothes.

So clean it out. Here’s how:

• Fill your empty washing machine tub with hot water. Pour in three cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda.
• Remove the fabric softener receptacle and bleach dispenser and soak them in hot, soapy water. Nudge stubborn dirt and stains with a Q-tip.
• Sponge off the agitator and all the of tub’s surfaces.
• Use vinegar and a washcloth to wipe down the machine’s exterior surfaces.
• Check your washer’s hoses for weak spots or leaks. You may need to replace your hoses every five years or so.