How to Clean HLP21N Washer

  • Before we tackle the optimal cleaning method for HLP21N Portable Washer, let’s explore what it is and what other brands of portable washing machine models you can come across in the market. 
  • Its full name is Haier HLP21N Pulsator 1-Cubic-Foot Portable Washer, and it’s a perfect choice for those who look for a washer in a compact size that comes with efficacy and portability.
  • How to ensure you’ll be able to do your laundry in your Haier HLP21N machine for as long as expected? We’re here to answer your doubts regarding the maintenance and cleaning of this washing machine. Keep reading to ensure you’re aware of how to avoid damage to your favorite washer. 


What is Haier HLP21N?

HLP21N Washer will suit you, especially if you have limited space in your location, living in a smaller apartment, cottage, mobile home living, or boat. 

No wonder it works so great for less spacious places—this appliance measures only about 30 H x 17 5/8 W x 17 1/4 D inches and weighs 43 oz. 

Place the wash basket brace from the electrical outlet if you’re moving the washer. Connect your washer to a proper electrical outlet, ensuring it features the correct electrical supply to avoid electric shock.

Read more warning messages and useful hacks about

  • leveling feet,
  • a water inlet valve,
  • a washer cabinet,
  • a lint filter,
  • the use of masking tape, and many others

in the dedicated Haier HLP21N user manual on Manual Scat or Manual Slib

Besides Haier HLP21N, other brands that manufacture portable washer models are GE, Whirlpool, Black+Decker, Yirego Drumi, LAVARIO, Giantex, etc. 

Using portable washer solutions couldn’t have been simpler. All you have to do is select between three wash cycles from

  • heavy, 
  • normal, and 
  • quick;

If you don’t have a proper plumbing connection for a washing machine, you can hook up a portable washer to the sink through its flexible tube pipe. 

Use a handy sink adapter to drain out the wash water into a sink or bathtub for washing clothes. 

Tip: Simply hook your washing machine to a faucet when you need it and put it away when you don’t. 


This neat washing machine is made from stainless steel, making it rust-resistant and built for years of use.

Portable washers are relatively smaller, so you can comfortably fit them anywhere, among others, in most small bathrooms.

Tips for choosing the best portable washer

What should we look for when buying a portable washing machine?

As a rule of thumb, we’re looking for efficiency and portability. 

Let’s see what a basic guideline is to make the right buying decision.

  1. Your portable washing machine should be… portable. So ensure that it’s not too heavy and has wheels attached to it (making maneuvering easy). In other words, verify that nothing makes its mobility challenging.
  2. Your washer should have a hose that you can connect to the sink faucet or bathroom tap without difficulty.

  1. Your washing machine should come with a good amount of cycles in its entire lifetime—preferably over 4000 cycle,

The lifespan of portable washers is approximately 11 to 14 years, which we can translate to

  • the number of washing cycles it’s expected to tackle throughout its life—if your portable washer can handle over 5100 cycles, it means it’s expected to last for about 14 years, and
  • proper maintenance—cleaning and servicing your appliance, 

A portable washer typically holds 3-4 days of clothes for one person for one wash. You can reduce the number of cycles effectuated by your machine by efficiently using the washer’s capacity. This operation will prolong the machine’s overall lifespan.

  1. Your washer should have sufficient capacity to hold a decent load.

When it comes to capacity, the portable washing machine with a capacity of at least 6 kgs should fulfill most requirements for a small family. It can wash sheets, blankets, and clothes efficiently. 

It’s perfect because our Haier HLP21N washer is designed for loads up to 6 pounds.

Important: If you have very large bedsheets (for instance, for a king-size bed), it’s recommended to pick a washer with a 9 kgs capacity.

  1. Your washing machine should also be energy efficient for less electricity consumption.

—suggests The Portable Laundry

Most modern portable washing machine models don’t consume a lot of electricity. They use anywhere between 400 to 800 watts (between 400 and 1300 watts if we consider all the models on the market). 

80-90% of the energy utilized by such washers is used to heat the water. If your appliance is already connected to the heated water, the energy consumption will be lower.

Tip: Using hot water for washes ensures that the energy usage becomes even more efficient.

The machine components such as pumps, automatic valves, and digital control panels use minimal energy. Instead, the motor uses most of the energy, which agitates and spins the drum. 

While the technical details sound promising, a lot depends on the particular washing machine model we use and how we use it.

All in all, portable washing machines are unquestionably efficient in energy consumption compared to traditional ones. 

So does your Haier HLP21N tick all the boxes?

How to clean Haier HLP21N?

It’s good to leave the portable washing machine door or lid open after use. 

It will stop the musty smell and odor from appearing, and these could be very tough to remove afterward. 

You can also run a hot water cycle run to kill the bacteria. 

If keeping the door or lid open didn’t help, and your washing machine still smells moldy, you’ll need to take cleaning it seriously. 

Dirt and oils from our clothes tend to build up in the washer. 

Check the rubber gasket of your front-load washer—it’s a catch basin for all the grimy substances. Unfortunately, the rubber gasket is prone to developing mold that leads to a smelly washer.

Prevent and remove odors

Let’s first tackle what may be the cause of the nasty odors in the washer.

They can be caused by 

  • detergent or soil build-up, 
  • certain water conditions, and 
  • drain installation issues;

So, for starters, remember about regular washer maintenance if you want to prevent your washer from a moldy smell. 

Run weekly hot water cycles to reduce detergent and soil build-up.

You should also always leave the washer lid open between washes, allowing the washer to dry out.

Verify if the drain hose is installed correctly—it should be placed no more than 6″ into the drain pipe and secured so that the drain hose does not come loose.

Don’t seal the drain hose to the drain pipe so that it is completely covered. This could prevent sewer gases from backing up into the washer.


Vinegar is excellent for disinfecting your washer, removing detergent buildup, and getting rid of odors. 

Start by emptying the washer, check the rubber gasket surfaces (we’ll get to cleaning them later), and other plastic parts that might hold water or detergent.

Select a hot water wash cycle and fill the unit with hot water.

Now, you can

  • prepare a cleaning solution with ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water,
  • pour the solution into the detergent dispenser,
  • pour two cups of distilled white vinegar into the empty washer tub,
  • close the washer lid, and put the empty washer on a regular wash cycle with very warm water or hot water,
  • wipe down the washer’s interior to remove the vinegar smell afterward;


To clean the washer gasket—and if your Haier HLP21N smells like mildew, a grimy washer gasket is likely the reason—here are some hacks about what you should do:

  • take a damp cloth and wipe away any grime from the exterior of the gasket,
  • take a user manual of your washer to learn how to remove the gasket from the washer; then, do it,
  • dip a paper towel or cloth into a small bowl of water that contains a tiny amount of bleach,
  • use this wet cloth to remove all visible residue by scrubbing the gasket, 
  • reinstall the gasket back on a washer;

If you want to prevent washing machine odors instead of removing them afterward, don’t forget to follow these steps after you clean your washer:

  • regularly clean the washer tub and wipe down the moisture inside and from the gasket,
  • use the suitable detergent for your type of machine,
  • remove clothing from the wash basket as soon as the wash cycle ends—it’s crucial to avoid moisture inside,
  • leave the door of your front-loading washer ajar when not in use; this way, you allow the drum to dry naturally; 

Important: After washing clothes, always leave the lid open for the water to evaporate. Keep in mind that closing it before the washtub is dry is an open invitation for mold and mildew.

General cleaning

How to clean a top-load Haier HLP21N washer inside? 

To clean the interior washer tub/basket, start with 

  • filling and running a wash cycle with hot water but with no detergent. Let the machine run long enough to fill the washtub with hot water.

Important: Empty the washtub before you start. The results will be less astounding despite all your cleaning efforts if stray socks are left behind in the machine.

  • pause the cycle and add four cups of vinegar or chlorine bleach (never both!) to the water. 

The water will be hot and produce steam, so be careful.

  • let the machine agitate for a few seconds to a minute, just to mix with the water, and then pause for one hour. Let the cleaning solution do its work,
  • after one hour, finish the paused cycle or set the washer to run through its longest wash and spin cycle. 

Once it’s over, there should be no trace of the cleaner inside, and most of the grime should be gone.

Important: Especially if you live in a hard water area, use the bleach and then the vinegar to clean away mineral deposits, bacteria, and soap scum from the wash basket and hoses. Yet, never combine bleach and vinegar at the same time!


Wipe the inside of the washer, including the blades of the agitator and the bottom plate, with a piece of cloth soaked in the vinegar-water cleaning solution. Clean the areas that still have grime with straight white vinegar.

To clean the dispensers, use a soft cloth and a small brush (it can be an old toothbrush) in the constricted space. Dry the dispenser thoroughly before putting it back.

Deep cleaning

If this general cleaning wasn’t enough, try deep cleaning.

Running a wash cycle with your homemade cleaning solution should clean up most of the dirt in your washing machine. 

Yet, stubborn stains and grime may require a bit of elbow grease.

So, take a cloth and dip it in a mixture of four cups of vinegar and one cup of warm water and scrub the inside of your machine.

Important: Don’t use a scouring pad or any abrasive chemicals cleaners for your delicate HLP21N washer.


Remember that your washing machine serves for washing clothes, and this should be its only purpose—reminds Danby

It sounds obvious, but people have various ideas along the way. 

So, don’t use your portable washer to wash backpacks, sneakers, toys, and sports gear if you want to avoid damage to your washing machine in the long run. 


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Frequently Asked Questions

You can wash bed sheets, blankets, and other sheets in your portable washer, but since most of these machines are so small, washing bigger pieces of fabric can be frustrating.
These washing machines are expected to function for approximately 11 to 14 years. When purchasing a portable washer, check how many cycles it can handle. On average, if your portable washer can handle over 5100 cycles, it will probably last for 14 years, given you provide it with the correct maintenance, such as cleaning it and regularly servicing it.
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