OMG! I’m 57 AND have been a professional housekeeper for decades and have never done this! After watching your video I spent my morning yesterday cleaning my washer which I thought was a piece of crap and it turns out it was just truly filthy through and through😬 thanks for encouraging me to clean that up!
Hey Brandon. I just wanted to say your videos do wonders. Ive always struggled to get things clean and even now as an adult I still feel like cleaning is a monumental tasks. It sounds ridiculous but I really didnt know even the names of the tools or various types of products. Then theres the countless hacks and the million different ways to do things and it gets ovwhelming and even frustrating because I will overlook once tiny thing and it takes me even longer to clean my house. I came across your channel and you taught me practically everything I needed to know. And you also showed that you dont need fancy stuff and cleaning can be as simple as using vinegar, water and dawn dish soap. You also give useful pro tips and I love your attention to detail. It really does like you genuinely care about what you do and it shows. You also have a feeling about you where you seem so happy and genuine all the time. Its hard to find a video where youre not smilling or giving off good energy. Again, I dont know how to thank you enough, but I seriously learned a lot from you and your channel. It really feels like a friend teaching me to clean rather than a parasocial youtuber. Hopefully this comment finds you well and have a great day. 😊
Thank you so much. After watching your video I cleaned my washer. It was horrible but it is clean now. Keep doing what you do because you are teaching us how to keep a clean home. Awesome!
Ah yes! I do all this sort of maintenance very often but very recently I took apart the whole thing! Took the drum out and boy was the scrud built up on the outside of it! (9+ years of normal use PLUS the hundreds of cleaning rags!) it was SO satisfying I wish I could show you the photos! On a side note, I never use fabric softener! Love your work!
Video very well done. To the point of the subject without unnecessary chatter that occurs in some videos. And no background music thankfully. Informative with demonstration on what is being explained. Excellent.
This is great! Thanks for doing a video on this 🙂 I have taken the agitator out completely to clean it, but you have included tips that I didn't know. The electric toothbrush is epic! Thanks! 🙂
Nice job. Very thorough. I have a front-load machine and have used your tips specific to that type, and once a month I also drain the residual water and clean the filter and housing. This week, the whole machine was cleaned inside and out, including removing the detergent compartment drawer and running the mandatory clean cycle, which is every 25 loads with my model.
Brandon, thank you, thank you, thank you. Our Maytag washer and gas dryer were purchased by the original owners in 1998. We purchased the house in 2017 and we are still using the them. Recently, my whites were coming out grey and dingy. I just spent my afternoon cleaning my 26 year old Maytag. Thank you again for your video.
Great video! I keep the top lid of the washer open all the time when not in use. I have an older Kenmore and it has a soak function, so I my soak towels in oxiclean and laundry detergent. That has helped a lot to keep it clean.
Another hint is do not use too much soap. Use the measures on the lid of liquids and the measurement on the scoop of dry. More only causes build up in the machine,
Might get my son to order some of those tablets. Usually use a cup of disinfectant in the clean tub cycle. It uses hot water and takes about 4 hours. Plus I leave the lid open always. 😊
I like this no shame video on how your washer may have gotten dirty. I rent, and mine was already filthy in certain areas before I even moved in. I only recently found out the middle top part can be removed and there was so much grime and dirt in there and also a ton on the basin top edges. . I've finally decided to try and clean things. I probably should have demanded my landlord do it but oh well.
I put some regular laundry soap and bleach with a hot water cycle. Seemed to work pretty good. I love in an apt so I always clean the outside and inside of washing machine and dryer before I start. Most of the time I just spray an all purpose cleaner like 409 and wipe it with paper towel
Thanks Brandon. Great tip. Will try and see how it goes. Thanks a bunch. One question though! Do top loaders have filters or some drain extension that may need cleaning?
I have a Speed Queen, simple commercial model. Very similar set up to the Maytag in the video. I had a hard time removing that fabric softener part, as was afraid to break something. It finally decided to cooperate one day as I filled it with hot water to clean. I could not see any way to open that, but fortunately it chose to come apart on its own as I was putting it in and then removing it again (as now I intend to do so OFTEN after discovering the blackened gunk it was storing!) SO maybe check your manual, or mfg. etc. as SURELY that component was not molded as one piece and IS intended to easily come apart for cleaning but we do not want to crack the old plastic. Soaking it in a bucket of hot water and maybe hot vinegar OR toilet bowl cleaner might loosen what it is glueing in together. Remember that all water is not the same and various minerals and lime scale DO cement and coat, and of course make for different results and performance of EVERYTHING including shampoo, conditioner, soaps and detergents. All must RINSE properly, which is where salt softening comes in.
In my country, most people usually use this kind of washing machine but different kind of drum and at that machine must have a tub clean button. Just add a tub clean detergent and soak for a night, and then clean the tub in the morning
Tips: NO FABRIC SOFTENER Active Washing Machine cleaner is legit, y’all, been using it for three years. I actually am not a huge fan of vinegar because it can break down the parts in the machine quicker if you’re using it for every load. I am a huge fan of the new rinse and refresh / cleanboost product instead. It’s not a fabric softener but it cleans the clothes fibers better than vinegar even. Spot clean machine as necessary. My washer while a new model thankfully has an “auto soak” feature that is really great that you can add to your cleaning cycle. Always use a heavier rinse after washing and it should keep the buildup low with any product. Also, USE LESS DETERGENT. 2 TBSP MAX no matter what it is.
I have no idea what the measurements stand for though. Like every brand has different levels and what is the unit of measurement of "1 load" even supposed to mean when every washer has a different capacity?
@YTFlove4ever So I was told recently by someone who works at a laundromat that 1 load of clothes equates to about 10 lbs of clothes. So if the measurements in the cap or the instructions on the back of the detergent say use so much detergent per load just know youre using the detergent based on how many pounds you're washing. Not sure if this helps but i just wanted to share.
My older washer gets dirty on those agitators that wrap around the middle column. And that column has openings where fabric softener flows from top canister. I never use fab softener, but it still gets gunky. Your tiny brush is good for that. As for the swirly part of the column, dryer sheets work really well for getting off the grime. Then wipe down with soft cloth. I use my phone camera, on the selfie setting, to view under those swirly parts - but you might drop your phone so make sure there’s no water in the tub.
I put baking soda in the wash along with the detergent(to soften the water). When the rinse cycle has filled the tub, I add white vinegar to the rinse water to remove any detergent left in the clothes, to soften the fabrics, and to kill germs. There aren't any smells in my washing machine.
I love the fresh clean smells of fabric softener. However, once my teens started to do their own laundry, they over filled the fabric softener to the point that my front loader always had a funky smell and the rubber around the tub looked all moldy. Even if we kept the door open and wiped any water down. Once we were out of fabric softener, I never bought any again. It’s been 3 yrs and that stinky smell is no longer.
We got our washing machine from someone who uses liquid fabric softener. It took pulling the agitator and drum apart to deep clean before the smell finally went away. It tears up the machine.
I have a newer top loader with no agitator. After washing a load, I remove the soap dispenser, as my machine does not spin out all the water underneath it. If I don’t do this, the remaining water/soap residue gets gunky and smelly. I also have some water left underneath where fabric softener goes (which I don’t use). I take a microfiber towel and wipe this out and continue by wiping out the damp drum, as you did in this video. Anything to help keep my machine clean and smell free.
Do you have a video for cleaning a dryer? I am not sure what has happened but we have blue stains on the inside of the dryer and I’ve noticed a tacky residue being left on our clothes! This is causing skin irritation, too. I’m not sure how to clean the dryer, though. Help!
What is it the hubs says? "Change without improvement isn't progress". Decades ago I could just spin the cap off the top and pull the agitator out for cleaning.
My new machine will drain after 9 minutes with the lid open. I set a timer for 8 minutes, close & open the lid, & reset the timer. I sometimes need to do this when someone needs a shower mid-cycle. [or maybe you could use the presoak setting for longer soaking]
Just an idea. Vinegar dissolves rust. So if your machine has a soak function, you might try to fill the washer with water and add vinegar to dissolve the rust.
Okay question. I didn’t know there was a cigarette pack in my partners clothes I washed. How do I get rid of all the loose tobacco? 😭 just continue to run a cleaning cycle till it’s all gone?
My washer has some kind of weight sensor to tell it how full to fill. And it's a low filling machine so I wash a third of a load is a normal sized load for me because I can't stand that it doesn't fill up enough. So if my machine is empty when I turn it on it is probably not going to fill up more than a couple inches is there a way to override even the Deep fill selection doesn't satisfy my desire to have water level reach clothing level😢. And the lid has to be closed at the beginning of filling while it senses the load size. I guess I could put weights in it to get it started and then take them out? Does anyone else have any tricks for this for other over ride ideas so that I can at least partially fill the drum to do a cleaning cycle. Also I have soft water
I miss my Maytag. I had one like that, that I couldn’t get fixed. 😢 I have a Speed Queen now that I like, but it’s not as versatile. I still have the Maytag companion dryer and it runs well 20 years later. I bought the original pair at Sears.
Me to I bought my Kenmore washer and dryer in 1997. Did repairs as needed over the years. I have a great repair man I trust and that is priceless. He said what ever I do, keep my machines because they just don’t make them like that anymore. And he is so right! Saved me lots of $$$$ over the years. 🤞🏻🙏🏻 They will keep on keeping on.
I never would have bought the fancy EXPENSIVE top loader IF I would have known the water drains out the moment you pause it😡 Energy efficient my butt🙄🙄🙄
Yeah....that's never going to happen in the laundry room of my apartment complex! The machines are used until they quit and then a new machine is put in its place. Sad that routine maintenance is not a thing in most complexes these days.
To pause the washing machine, couldn't you just open the lid some? On taking out the agitator, I used to have a machine that had the small, nub agitator, and you could take that out with just your hands, so check the manual.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
OMG! I’m 57 AND have been a professional housekeeper for decades and have never done this! After watching your video I spent my morning yesterday cleaning my washer which I thought was a piece of crap and it turns out it was just truly filthy through and through😬 thanks for encouraging me to clean that up!
Wow, the level of details in cleaning thus was off the chart!!!
Hey Brandon. I just wanted to say your videos do wonders. Ive always struggled to get things clean and even now as an adult I still feel like cleaning is a monumental tasks. It sounds ridiculous but I really didnt know even the names of the tools or various types of products. Then theres the countless hacks and the million different ways to do things and it gets ovwhelming and even frustrating because I will overlook once tiny thing and it takes me even longer to clean my house. I came across your channel and you taught me practically everything I needed to know. And you also showed that you dont need fancy stuff and cleaning can be as simple as using vinegar, water and dawn dish soap. You also give useful pro tips and I love your attention to detail. It really does like you genuinely care about what you do and it shows. You also have a feeling about you where you seem so happy and genuine all the time. Its hard to find a video where youre not smilling or giving off good energy.
Again, I dont know how to thank you enough, but I seriously learned a lot from you and your channel. It really feels like a friend teaching me to clean rather than a parasocial youtuber.
Hopefully this comment finds you well and have a great day. 😊
I couldn’t agree more! 🇺🇸🥰🌴
Thank you so much. After watching your video I cleaned my washer. It was horrible but it is clean now. Keep doing what you do because you are teaching us how to keep a clean home. Awesome!
Ah yes! I do all this sort of maintenance very often but very recently I took apart the whole thing! Took the drum out and boy was the scrud built up on the outside of it! (9+ years of normal use PLUS the hundreds of cleaning rags!) it was SO satisfying I wish I could show you the photos!
On a side note, I never use fabric softener!
Love your work!
Video very well done. To the point of the subject without unnecessary chatter that occurs in some videos. And no background music thankfully. Informative with demonstration on what is being explained. Excellent.
Bro got background music
Cleaned mine today ! As I normally do at the end of the month. My dishwasher will be tomorrow!
I bought those tablets on your recommendation and I use them once a month. They were great! Thank you.
Didn’t know these washing machine parts came out so easily. Will be giving mine a good cleaning now. Thanks!!
This is great! Thanks for doing a video on this 🙂
I have taken the agitator out completely to clean it, but you have included tips that I didn't know. The electric toothbrush is epic! Thanks! 🙂
Hint: Don’t use fabric softeners. Distilled vinegar in place of the fabric softener. There’s no vinegar smell just fresh clean and no gunky buildup.
Yes! That’s all we use at my house! 👍👍
I love fabric softeners. They add a nice fragrance. My only advice is don’t use bleach.
Agreed! I haven't used fabric softener in over 15 years. My clothes are just as soft and they don't smell like cheap perfume.
@@dawnt5587Why not?
Yes, this is what the washing machine repairman told my family. It's the number one problem maker.
Nice job. Very thorough. I have a front-load machine and have used your tips specific to that type, and once a month I also drain the residual water and clean the filter and housing. This week, the whole machine was cleaned inside and out, including removing the detergent compartment drawer and running the mandatory clean cycle, which is every 25 loads with my model.
That is awesome!
Brandon, thank you, thank you, thank you. Our Maytag washer and gas dryer were purchased by the original owners in 1998. We purchased the house in 2017 and we are still using the them. Recently, my whites were coming out grey and dingy. I just spent my afternoon cleaning my 26 year old Maytag. Thank you again for your video.
How was it afterwards?
Great video! I keep the top lid of the washer open all the time when not in use. I have an older Kenmore and it has a soak function, so I my soak towels in oxiclean and laundry detergent. That has helped a lot to keep it clean.
Wish they still had soak cycle!
I love my old top loader! I've heard to never use fabric softener from so many "washing machine" people on socials
I agree! We usually use white vinegar instead.
@@CleanThatUpwhat about the Lysol fabric sanitizer that goes in the agitator center?
Awesome video! Thanks for cleaning my washing machine…. it looks and smells great! 👍🏻😍
I know what I’ll be doing today! Great tips.
Happy cleaning!
Ooh! I asked you for this video! Thank you so much!
You are so welcome!🙂
Excellent job of explaining the process...
thank you Brandon! This channel is top notch so glad I found you Cheers mate! I'm recommending it to everyone I know 👌👌👌👌👌
You inspire me to clean things I've been ignoring. Thank you❤
Thank you for doing one for a top load.
Another hint is do not use too much soap. Use the measures on the lid of liquids and the measurement on the scoop of dry. More only causes build up in the machine,
True. And the reason the manufacturer suggests using so much is to sell more product!
This video is perfect for me - that’s the same washing machine that I have!
Yayyyy I was able to follow your video and remove the two pieces, clean and soak . Fingers crossed 🤞 I can put them back together. 🙏🏻😂
Super Helpful - Thank You!!
Might get my son to order some of those tablets. Usually use a cup of disinfectant in the clean tub cycle. It uses hot water and takes about 4 hours. Plus I leave the lid open always. 😊
Thanks so much! I also found out recently that my older Maytag top loader (great machine!) does not have a filter, like newer (other brands?) do.
Thank you for this video! Now I need to go clean mine lol
Thanks for the tips
You got it!
I like this no shame video on how your washer may have gotten dirty. I rent, and mine was already filthy in certain areas before I even moved in. I only recently found out the middle top part can be removed and there was so much grime and dirt in there and also a ton on the basin top edges. . I've finally decided to try and clean things. I probably should have demanded my landlord do it but oh well.
I fill the fabric softener dispenser with water for the rinse cycle and that rinses it out and keeps it clean.
I put some regular laundry soap and bleach with a hot water cycle. Seemed to work pretty good. I love in an apt so I always clean the outside and inside of washing machine and dryer before I start. Most of the time I just spray an all purpose cleaner like 409 and wipe it with paper towel
Brandon, thank you! I cleaned my washer after watching your video!
Thanks Brandon! I was waiting for this!
Thanks Brandon. Great tip. Will try and see how it goes. Thanks a bunch. One question though! Do top loaders have filters or some drain extension that may need cleaning?
I just ordered some Activ tablets! Can’t wait to try them!
Awesome!
I have that brand of dishwasher cleaner tablets and I have a feeling they’re the exact same as the washer ones if they’re just citric acid
Another great video!
Radiator flush works wonders on gunked up washing machines
Thank you thank you thank you!!
Thanks! How to clean the filter?
I have a Speed Queen, simple commercial model. Very similar set up to the Maytag in the video. I had a hard time removing that fabric softener part, as was afraid to break something. It finally decided to cooperate one day as I filled it with hot water to clean. I could not see any way to open that, but fortunately it chose to come apart on its own as I was putting it in and then removing it again (as now I intend to do so OFTEN after discovering the blackened gunk it was storing!) SO maybe check your manual, or mfg. etc. as SURELY that component was not molded as one piece and IS intended to easily come apart for cleaning but we do not want to crack the old plastic. Soaking it in a bucket of hot water and maybe hot vinegar OR toilet bowl cleaner might loosen what it is glueing in together. Remember that all water is not the same and various minerals and lime scale DO cement and coat, and of course make for different results and performance of EVERYTHING including shampoo, conditioner, soaps and detergents. All must RINSE properly, which is where salt softening comes in.
I just found your channel and subscribed 🙂
Thanks for watching and subscribing!!
Got same washer, thanks
Thanks for the vid!
Agreed, very well done. Are you related to Vinnie the Shamwow guy?
In my country, most people usually use this kind of washing machine but different kind of drum and at that machine must have a tub clean button.
Just add a tub clean detergent and soak for a night, and then clean the tub in the morning
Tips:
NO FABRIC SOFTENER
Active Washing Machine cleaner is legit, y’all, been using it for three years.
I actually am not a huge fan of vinegar because it can break down the parts in the machine quicker if you’re using it for every load. I am a huge fan of the new rinse and refresh / cleanboost product instead. It’s not a fabric softener but it cleans the clothes fibers better than vinegar even.
Spot clean machine as necessary.
My washer while a new model thankfully has an “auto soak” feature that is really great that you can add to your cleaning cycle.
Always use a heavier rinse after washing and it should keep the buildup low with any product.
Also, USE LESS DETERGENT.
2 TBSP MAX no matter what it is.
Use the measurements on the bottle of detergent.
I have no idea what the measurements stand for though. Like every brand has different levels and what is the unit of measurement of "1 load" even supposed to mean when every washer has a different capacity?
@YTFlove4ever So I was told recently by someone who works at a laundromat that 1 load of clothes equates to about 10 lbs of clothes. So if the measurements in the cap or the instructions on the back of the detergent say use so much detergent per load just know youre using the detergent based on how many pounds you're washing. Not sure if this helps but i just wanted to share.
My manual recommends the tablets or bleach (not vinegar). Is there a benefit to vinegar over bleach?
Is it beneficial to remove the drum at some point?
My older washer gets dirty on those agitators that wrap around the middle column. And that column has openings where fabric softener flows from top canister. I never use fab softener, but it still gets gunky. Your tiny brush is good for that. As for the swirly part of the column, dryer sheets work really well for getting off the grime. Then wipe down with soft cloth.
I use my phone camera, on the selfie setting, to view under those swirly parts - but you might drop your phone so make sure there’s no water in the tub.
Since newer machines use less water would you still use 2 cups of vinegar
do you ever clean the drain hose?
would dishwashing tablets do the same?
Thanks for the details!
I put baking soda in the wash along with the detergent(to soften the water). When the rinse cycle has filled the tub, I add white vinegar to the rinse water to remove any detergent left in the clothes, to soften the fabrics, and to kill germs. There aren't any smells in my washing machine.
Amazing job
I love the fresh clean smells of fabric softener. However, once my teens started to do their own laundry, they over filled the fabric softener to the point that my front loader always had a funky smell and the rubber around the tub looked all moldy. Even if we kept the door open and wiped any water down. Once we were out of fabric softener, I never bought any again. It’s been 3 yrs and that stinky smell is no longer.
I like to run a second rinse in when I do laundry. Less detergent m, and a splash of vinegar in most loads.
Do you have to level the drum after pulling it to the left a right to clean? Otherwise wont it mess up parts? K here
One wonders if an Enzyme Cleaner is a good Adjunct?
So cool
Thanks!
We got our washing machine from someone who uses liquid fabric softener. It took pulling the agitator and drum apart to deep clean before the smell finally went away. It tears up the machine.
How do you recommend cleaning a top load washer with no agitator.
I have this question too. I don't see a reply yet. :(
Do I need to ask again?
Do I need to ask again?!?!?!
I have a newer top loader with no agitator. After washing a load, I remove the soap dispenser, as my machine does not spin out all the water underneath it. If I don’t do this, the remaining water/soap residue gets gunky and smelly. I also have some water left underneath where fabric softener goes (which I don’t use). I take a microfiber towel and wipe this out and continue by wiping out the damp drum, as you did in this video. Anything to help keep my machine clean and smell free.
What if you do not have a way to choose water level? My machine has a sensor for the water level
I have tried to remove the agitation center but I can’t seem to get it off. I have a speed queen washer.
Do you have a video for cleaning a dryer? I am not sure what has happened but we have blue stains on the inside of the dryer and I’ve noticed a tacky residue being left on our clothes! This is causing skin irritation, too. I’m not sure how to clean the dryer, though. Help!
Our dryer is stained blue from denim
How about removing the agitator. That is where the lint clog usually is
What is it the hubs says? "Change without improvement isn't progress". Decades ago I could just spin the cap off the top and pull the agitator out for cleaning.
Can you do a video on ceiling fans please 🙏
My new machine will drain after 9 minutes with the lid open. I set a timer for 8 minutes, close & open the lid, & reset the timer. I sometimes need to do this when someone needs a shower mid-cycle. [or maybe you could use the presoak setting for longer soaking]
What about rust in the holes of the drum? Any cleaning tips?
Just an idea. Vinegar dissolves rust. So if your machine has a soak function, you might try to fill the washer with water and add vinegar to dissolve the rust.
Did you intentionally not clean around the hinges?
Should the lid stay open even if it's in a hot garage with no air flow?
Okay question. I didn’t know there was a cigarette pack in my partners clothes I washed. How do I get rid of all the loose tobacco? 😭 just continue to run a cleaning cycle till it’s all gone?
1 cup vinegar 1 cup water 1 tsp dish soap
Thank you! Also, would you create a video on tips on cleaning the dyer?
I was about to request the same! I've heard lint build up can be a fire hazard.
@@liana2136 I agree, and some tips and tricks to help keep it clean and safe would be useful.
I tried to pull that center cap off my Whirlpool top loader and there was just no way that was meant to be removed!
Can I clean my top washing machine that does NOT have the middle long part ?
Fabric softener will also damage FRCs & cloth diapers.
Omfg that's so nasty I didn't even know that came off mine has to be 100xs crazier looking then yours 😱🤯🤮 thank you so much for this video ❤
Help! My cleaning rag fell between the tub and the front wall. What do I do now😂
Mine is always clean !!! I use vinegar instead of fabric softener
Super
My washer has some kind of weight sensor to tell it how full to fill. And it's a low filling machine so I wash a third of a load is a normal sized load for me because I can't stand that it doesn't fill up enough. So if my machine is empty when I turn it on it is probably not going to fill up more than a couple inches is there a way to override even the Deep fill selection doesn't satisfy my desire to have water level reach clothing level😢. And the lid has to be closed at the beginning of filling while it senses the load size. I guess I could put weights in it to get it started and then take them out? Does anyone else have any tricks for this for other over ride ideas so that I can at least partially fill the drum to do a cleaning cycle. Also I have soft water
We like active tablets too!
I miss my Maytag. I had one like that, that I couldn’t get fixed. 😢 I have a Speed Queen now that I like, but it’s not as versatile. I still have the Maytag companion dryer and it runs well 20 years later. I bought the original pair at Sears.
Me to I bought my Kenmore washer and dryer in 1997. Did repairs as needed over the years. I have a great repair man I trust and that is priceless. He said what ever I do, keep my machines because they just don’t make them like that anymore. And he is so right! Saved me lots of $$$$ over the years. 🤞🏻🙏🏻 They will keep on keeping on.
@@sueg2658 that’s great! They don’t make them like that anymore (the washer and the repairman). 😆
Whatever you do DON'T use the scent beads. They leave a waxy coating on clothes and I had stains on some clothes.
Never had a problem with them
@@jennifergorder9016 Perhaps it was the brand I used but I did have stains. I think I threw the rest away.
What about how to clean a top loader machine without an agitator?
Doesn't that get gross build-up anywhere too?
This is off topic but you’re a beautiful man. But thank you for the video
Mine doesn’t have the agitator…
I found it much easier just to leave it off & add fabric softner myself
Finally, I can clean my nonexistent washing machine.
I never would have bought the fancy EXPENSIVE top loader IF I would have known the water drains out the moment you pause it😡
Energy efficient my butt🙄🙄🙄
❤❤❤
🌷
Yeah....that's never going to happen in the laundry room of my apartment complex!
The machines are used until they quit and then a new machine is put in its place.
Sad that routine maintenance is not a thing in most complexes these days.
To pause the washing machine, couldn't you just open the lid some?
On taking out the agitator, I used to have a machine that had the small, nub agitator, and you could take that out with just your hands, so check the manual.