How to Clean a Washing Machine (Top Load and Front Load)
How to Clean a Washing Machine (Top Load and Front Load)
Your washing machine washes your clothes — but who washes the washing machine? Here’s exactly how to deep clean both types, step by step.
Most people never think to clean their washing machine. It uses detergent and hot water every cycle — how dirty can it get? Very dirty, it turns out. Over time, washing machines accumulate soap scum, mineral deposits, mold, mildew, bacteria, and fabric softener residue inside the drum, gasket, filter, and dispenser. That smell your laundry gets that isn’t quite clean? That’s your washing machine telling you it needs attention.
Cleaning your washing machine monthly takes about 30–45 minutes and makes a dramatic difference in both machine performance and laundry freshness.
How to Clean a Front-Load Washing Machine
Front-load washers are more energy efficient but notorious for developing mold in the rubber door gasket — a problem that requires consistent cleaning to prevent.
- Clean the door gasket first — pull back the rubber seal and wipe out all moisture, lint, hair, and debris. Spray with a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution. Scrub with a toothbrush and wipe dry.
- Clean the detergent dispenser — remove the entire drawer if possible. Soak in hot water, scrub with a brush to remove detergent buildup and mold, rinse thoroughly.
- Run a hot clean cycle — add 2 cups of white vinegar directly to the drum. Run the longest, hottest cycle available (or use your machine’s “Clean” cycle). Do not add clothes.
- Run a second cycle with baking soda — sprinkle ½ cup baking soda into the drum. Run another hot cycle. This neutralizes vinegar odor and removes remaining deposits.
- Wipe the drum dry — after cycles complete, wipe the inside drum with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Leave door ajar — after every wash, leave the door slightly open to allow air circulation and prevent mold growth.
How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine
- Fill with hot water — set your washer to the largest load, hottest temperature, and start filling.
- Add white vinegar — once full, add 4 cups of white vinegar and let the machine agitate for 1 minute, then pause the cycle.
- Soak for 1 hour — let the vinegar-water solution sit for 1 hour to dissolve mineral deposits and kill bacteria.
- Scrub while soaking — during the soak, use a microfiber cloth dipped in the solution to scrub the top rim, agitator, and any visible surfaces inside the drum.
- Complete the cycle — let the machine finish draining and spinning.
- Run a second cycle with baking soda — fill again with hot water, add 1 cup of baking soda, run a full cycle.
- Clean the lint trap and dispenser — remove and rinse the lint filter; wipe fabric softener and detergent dispensers with vinegar solution.
Cleaning the Washing Machine Filter
Most front-load washers have a drain pump filter that collects lint, coins, hair ties, and small items. Many people never clean it — and then wonder why their machine smells or won’t drain properly.
- Locate the filter — typically behind a small door at the bottom front of front-load washers
- Place a towel and shallow pan beneath it before opening — water will drain out
- Slowly unscrew the filter cap and let water drain fully
- Remove the filter and rinse under running water
- Clean the filter housing with a bottle brush
- Replace and tighten — check every 3 months
Using Washing Machine Cleaning Tablets
Products like Affresh, OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner, and Tide Washing Machine Cleaner are specifically formulated to break down residue inside washers. They’re effective and convenient — one tablet per month run on the clean cycle. They work well as a complement to the vinegar method, or as a standalone monthly maintenance option for people who want a quicker routine.
How often should you clean your washing machine?
Once a month for regular maintenance. If you notice musty smells, visible mold on the gasket, or laundry that doesn’t smell fresh after washing, clean immediately regardless of schedule.
Can you use bleach to clean a washing machine?
Yes — bleach is effective for killing mold and bacteria, especially in the gasket of front-loaders. Run a hot cycle with 1 cup of liquid bleach. Never mix bleach with vinegar — run separate cycles with a plain water rinse between them.
Why does my washing machine smell even after cleaning?
Check the door gasket folds thoroughly — mold often hides deep in the rubber folds. Also check the detergent dispenser for residue mold, and the drain pump filter for debris. If smell persists after deep cleaning all components, the drum seal or hoses may need professional inspection.
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