This article on Home Living Handbook might contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link on the site, we may earn a commission.

Give your washing machine some TLC. We know it isn't at the top of your chore list, but a regular cleaning helps it to maintain peak performance (and it'll keep your laundry smelling fresh). 

How Can My Washing Machine Be Dirty?

Residues in the drum is common. It results from excessive detergent use, overusing fabric softener, and hard water deposits.

While it's easy to assume the inside of your washer is a clean space, the reality is this: if your rinse cycle uses cold water, laundry detergent residue may remain, leading to a soapy buildup.

Unpleasant odors start from growth of mold or mildew. Front-loading washing machines in particular, have inadequate ventilation which can trap moisture that smelly bacteria thrives in. 

But there is a solution. If you get into a good routine, you can even do it with all natural ingredients!

How Do I Clean a Washing Machine?

1. Gather Your Supplies:

  • White vinegar (or Distilled White Vinegar) - a natural disinfectant that can remove mineral buildup and soap residue.
  • Baking soda - a gentle abrasive that neutralizes bad smells.
  • Microfiber cloth or cleaning rag
  • Old toothbrush 

Chlorine Bleach and hydrogen peroxide are both popular cleaning agents. However, you should be cautious using either one to wash your machine with both of these powerful disinfectant can cause premature wear on the rubber gaskets.

 2. Clean the Dispensers:

  • Remove detergent and fabric softener dispensers.
  • Soak them in warm water and scrub with a toothbrush.
  • Wipe down the compartments with a damp cloth.
Clean the dispensers of your washing machine to remove residue.
Clean the dispensers of your washing machine to remove residue. Credit: Emily Fazio

3. Run a Hot Water Cycle:

  • Set the temperature to the hottest setting.
    • Top-load washers: hottest temperature and longest cycle
    • HE top load or front load washer : select "white" or "stain" cycle
  • Pour white vinegar into the detergent tray.
    • 2 cups for top loading washing machines
    • 3/4 cup for HE top-loading or front-loading washers
  • Let the appliance run through a complete cleaning cycle.
  • Repeat these steps one more time if there is excessive residue buildup.

4. Wipe Down the Washer Drum:

  • Open the door and use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe out the inside of the drum.
  • Pay attention to any stains or residue.

5. Tackle the Rubber Seal:

  • Inspect the rubber door seal for mold or mildew.

Mix equal parts water and vinegar, dip in a rag, and thoroughly wipe the seal. Don't forget to get inside the lip where moisture can hide.

Cleaning the clear window of a washing machine to remove hard water spots.
Remove hard water spots from the window of your washing machine. Credit: Emily Fazio

6. Clean the Washing Machine Filter: (this is for front-loading machines)

  • Refer to your machine's manual to locate and clean the filter.
  • Remove lint and debris, rinse in fresh water, and reinstall.

7. Run a Baking Soda Cycle:

  • Sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drum.
  • Run a second complete cycle with hot water to deodorize and further clean.

8. Dry the Drum:

  • Wipe down the drum with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
Wiping down the inside of the washing machine drum to clean residue.
Dry the inside of your washing machine drum after washing. Credit: Emily Fazio

9. Air Out the Door:

  • Leave the door ajar after cleaning to allow air circulation and prevent mold growth.

Leaving your washing machine door ajar between uses to allows for regular air circulation and inhibit mold growth.

10. Regular Maintenance:

  • Repeat this deep clean every 1-3 months.
  • Opt for high-efficiency detergent to minimize residue.

How often should you clean your washing machine?

  1. Monthly Cleaning: Every one to two months, run a cleaning cycle with white vinegar or a commercial washing machine cleaner. (Never use bleach and white vinegar together. It forms toxic gasses.)
  2. Regular Wipe Downs: Wipe down the door seal once a week. This helps prevent moisture buildup and the growth of mold or mildew.
  3. Water Quality Considerations: If you have hard water or notice residue buildup, you might need to clean your machine more frequently. Hard water contributes to mineral deposits and soap scum.
  4. Special Circumstances: If you use fabric softeners or liquid detergents that can leave residues, or if you notice a persistent odor, consider more frequent cleanings.

Tide evo concentrated tile laundry detergent held in a hand.
This is the Future of Laundry Detergent (And it Actually Works)
Is compact detergent the best thing that's happened to laundry? We think so.
Read More

What should you do if it still smells like mildew?

Washing machines are the perfect environment for bacteria growth. Front-loading machines are more susceptible to mildew because the design of the rubber door seal traps excess moisture in an already warm, poorly ventilated appliance.

If the smell persists in the washer tub or on your clothes, try these tips:

  • Repeat the cleaning with liquid bleach (just bleach, never bleach and vinegar together)
  • Pay extra attention to rubber door seal in front-load washing machines
  • Inspect and clean drain pump filter
  • Check for mold in hard-to-reach areas inside the washer tub
  • Use baking soda to neutralize odors
  • Leave machine door and detergent dispenser open for proper ventilation
  • Run empty normal cycle with odor removers or commercial cleaners
  • Use a high-efficiency (HE) detergent. No excuses.
  • Inspect water supply for impurities