How to Clean a Washing Machine: Front and Top Load
How to clean a washing machine in four steps: run a hot cleaning cycle, wipe the door seal, clear the drain filter and dry it out. Includes a monthly schedule.
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How to clean a washing machine: run a hot cleaning or maintenance cycle with a washer cleaner or the cleaner your manual recommends, wipe the door seal and detergent drawer, clear the drain pump filter, and leave the door open so the drum dries. Do it about once a month and most musty smells, residue and slow draining disappear.
How to clean a washing machine: the quick answer
A washer looks clean because it is full of water, but soap scum, lint and damp rubber build up out of sight. The drum, the door seal, the detergent drawer and the drain pump filter each hold residue. Cleaning all four is what removes the smell, not just running one cycle.
| Quick facts: how to clean a washing machine | |
|---|---|
| Time | About 30 minutes of work plus one long cycle |
| You need | Washer cleaner or white vinegar, microfiber cloth, old toothbrush, towel |
| How often | Roughly once a month; the filter every two to three months |
| Never | Mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners |
What you need
- A washing machine cleaner tablet or liquid made for your type of washer, or white vinegar if your manual allows it.
- A microfiber cloth and an old toothbrush for the seal and drawer.
- A shallow tray or old towels for the water that runs out of the drain filter.
- Rubber gloves, because the gunk behind the seal is not pleasant.
Step by step: front-load washer
- Pull back the door seal and wipe the whole fold, including under the lip. Remove hair, coins and lint. Use the toothbrush on black spots.
- Remove the detergent drawer, wash it in warm soapy water and scrub the slot it slides into.
- Open the drain pump filter, usually behind a small panel at the bottom front. Put a towel down, unscrew it slowly, let the water drain out and clear the debris.
- Run the hot cleaning cycle with a cleaner, or the "tub clean" setting. If your manual allows vinegar, add it to the drum.
- Wipe the drum and glass at the end, then leave the door and drawer open.
Step by step: top-load washer
- Wipe the lid, the rim and the area under the lid with a damp cloth.
- Remove and wash the dispenser trays and the agitator cap if it lifts off.
- Fill the tub on the hottest setting, add the cleaner and let it agitate for a few minutes, then pause for an hour before finishing the cycle if the cleaner instructions say so.
- Wipe the tub and rim again, then leave the lid up to dry.
How often to clean each part
| Part | What builds up | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Drum | Soap scum, body oils | Monthly cleaning cycle |
| Door seal | Mold, lint, trapped items | Wipe weekly, deep clean monthly |
| Detergent drawer | Residue, mold | Monthly |
| Drain pump filter | Lint, coins, hair | Every two to three months |
Mistakes that make smells worse
Using too much detergent leaves a film that feeds mildew. Liquid fabric softener coats the drum and seal. Cold washes alone never dissolve oils. Shutting the door right after a load traps moisture. Cleaning the drum but ignoring the filter leaves the source of the smell in place.
Chemicals: what is safe
Check your manual first. Some makers recommend washer cleaner tablets only and warn that vinegar can wear rubber seals over time. Others allow a vinegar cycle. A bleach cycle is sometimes allowed on its own, never combined with vinegar or any other cleaner, because the mix gives off dangerous fumes. Ventilate the room and keep children and pets away from cleaning products.
Keeping it clean
Use the recommended amount of high-efficiency detergent, wash towels hot now and then, take clothes out promptly and prop the door open. These habits matter more than any single deep clean, and they are how to clean a washing machine without ever needing a big rescue.
When cleaning is not enough
If the smell returns within days, the drum will not drain, water pools under the machine or you hear grinding, the problem is mechanical. A worn pump, a split hose or a damaged seal needs repair, and a technician can check them safely.
Related reading
- Washing Machine Smells Musty? Remove Mildew and Stop It Returning
- Simple Fixes: Washing Machine Is Not Draining
- Washer Leaking From Bottom? Find the Source and Fix It
- How to Clean a Dryer Vent: Step-by-Step and Fire Warning Signs
Browse all appliance repair guides, or find an appliance repair technician in your city from the appliance repair directory.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
About once a month is a good routine for the drum, door seal and detergent drawer. The drain pump filter needs a look every two to three months. Heavy use, hard water or lots of pet hair means doing it more often.
How do I clean a washing machine with vinegar?
If your manual allows it, run an empty hot cycle with about two cups of white vinegar in the drum, then wipe the seal and drawer. Some makers advise against vinegar on rubber parts, so check first and never mix it with bleach.
Can I use bleach to clean a washing machine?
Some manuals allow an occasional empty hot cycle with a small amount of bleach, used alone. Never combine bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners, because the fumes are dangerous. Ventilate the room and follow the washer maker instructions.
Why does my washing machine smell even after cleaning?
The source is probably the drain pump filter, the back of the door seal or the detergent drawer housing, which a cycle alone does not reach. Clean those by hand, use less detergent and leave the door open between loads.
How do I clean the rubber seal on a front-loading washer?
Pull the seal back, wipe each fold with a cloth and cleaner, and scrub black spots with an old toothbrush. Remove trapped hair, lint and coins, then dry it with a towel. Doing this weekly stops mold from taking hold.
Where is the drain pump filter and how do I clean it?
On most front-loaders it sits behind a small panel at the bottom front. Lay towels down, unscrew it slowly to let the water drain, remove lint and debris, rinse it and screw it back in firmly. Top-loaders usually have no accessible filter.
How to clean a washing machine without a cleaning cycle?
Run a normal empty load on the hottest setting with a washer cleaner or approved vinegar, wipe the seal, drawer and drum by hand, and clear the filter. The manual work does most of the cleaning, so a special cycle is a bonus, not a must.
Does leaving the door open really help?
Yes. A closed drum stays damp and warm, which is what mildew needs. Leaving the door and the detergent drawer open after each load lets the moisture evaporate and cuts down on smells and mold on the seal.
Should I stop using fabric softener in my washer?
You can keep it, but use less. Liquid softener leaves a waxy film that holds dirt and feeds mildew in the drum and seal. Many people switch to dryer sheets or skip softener, especially in front-loading and high-efficiency machines.
When should I call a pro about a dirty or smelly washer?
Call if the smell returns within days of a deep clean, the drum will not drain, water pools under the machine or it makes grinding noises. Those point to a worn pump, a leaking hose or a damaged seal rather than dirt.
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