How to Clean a Washing Machine

Working out how to clean a washing machine fixes the thing most people never think to maintain: the appliance that is supposed to clean everything else. Over time, detergent residue, hard-water minerals, and body oils build up inside the drum, the gasket, and the dispensers, and that film traps moisture and grows the mildew behind that musty “clean laundry that still smells” problem. A full clean takes under an hour of mostly hands-off time and keeps clothes fresher while helping the machine run efficiently.

Why does a washing machine need cleaning at all?

It seems backward, but soap and water alone do not keep a washer clean. Low-temperature washes and extra detergent leave a residue that never fully rinses away, and front-loaders in particular trap water in the rubber door gasket where mold thrives. Mineral scale from hard water coats the drum and heating element, which makes the machine work harder and use more energy. Cleaning clears all of that, and because a struggling washer draws more power, it ties directly into the savings in our guide on how to lower your energy bill at home.

How often should you clean each part?

Different parts need attention on different schedules.

How to clean a washing machine, step by step

The routine is the same for most machines, with a couple of extra steps for front-loaders. Empty the drum completely before you start.

How do you clean the drum?

Run the machine’s dedicated “clean washer” or “tub clean” cycle if it has one; otherwise set the hottest, largest cycle. Add a washer-cleaning tablet, or use two cups of distilled white vinegar poured into the drum, and let the full cycle run empty. The hot water and mild acid dissolve soap scum and mineral scale. For a machine with a strong odor, follow the vinegar cycle with a second short hot cycle using a half cup of baking soda to neutralize smells. Wipe the inside of the drum with a cloth when it finishes.

Safety note: unplug the washer before reaching into the drain filter or behind panels, never mix vinegar with bleach, and keep the room ventilated while cleaning.

How do you clean the gasket and dispensers?

On a front-loader, peel back the rubber door gasket and wipe inside the folds with a damp cloth, since this is where mold and trapped coins hide; dry it afterward. Pull out the detergent and fabric softener dispensers — most lift out with a tab — and soak them in warm water to dissolve the sludge, scrubbing the crevices with an old toothbrush before replacing them. Wipe the dispenser recess too, because residue builds up where the drawer seats.

How do you clean the drain filter?

Front-loaders have a small drain pump filter behind a panel near the floor. Lay a towel and a shallow pan down first, because water will spill out. Unscrew the cap slowly, let it drain, then remove and rinse the filter to clear lint, hair, and the occasional coin. A clogged filter causes slow draining and odors, so this often-ignored step solves problems people blame on the whole machine. If your laundry area drain is also sluggish, our guide on tackling that is part of the broader home maintenance seasonal checklist.

Does cleaning differ for top-loaders and front-loaders?

Mostly the drum routine is identical, but the trouble spots differ. Front-loaders seal watertight, so moisture gets trapped in the door gasket and the drain pump filter — those are your priority, and leaving the door ajar between loads matters more. Top-loaders usually drain more freely and may not have an accessible filter, but the agitator, the fabric softener dispenser on the center post, and the underside of the lid collect residue, so wipe those. High-efficiency top-loaders without an agitator behave more like front-loaders and benefit from the same monthly hot cleaning cycle. Check your model’s manual for a dedicated tub-clean setting, since many machines made in the last decade have one.

How do you clean the outside and control panel?

The exterior deserves a quick pass too. Wipe the lid, door, and top with a damp microfiber cloth and a little mild dish soap, and clean the control panel gently without spraying liquid directly onto buttons or displays. Detergent drips down the front of the machine and hardens, so a monthly wipe keeps it looking cared for. Pull the machine out once or twice a year to vacuum lint and dust from behind and underneath, which also lets you check that the hoses are not kinked or bulging — a bulging supply hose is a leak waiting to happen and should be replaced.

How do you keep a washing machine clean?

Prevention is mostly about moisture and detergent. Leave the door or lid open between loads so the drum dries, wipe the gasket after each use, and use the right amount of detergent — more suds is not more clean, and excess soap is the main source of buildup. Switch to a high-efficiency detergent if you have an HE machine, and run an occasional hot wash if most of your loads are cold, since cold water alone never fully rinses detergent or clears the oils that feed odor. Measure liquid detergent with the cap rather than free-pouring, and remember that softened or soft water needs noticeably less soap than the bottle suggests. Keeping the drain filter clear and running a monthly cleaning cycle rounds out the routine. If you have hard water, mineral scale builds faster, so a monthly descaling cycle with vinegar or a commercial descaler is worth keeping to; a water softener or detergent formulated for hard water reduces how much residue forms in the first place.

Why is my clean laundry still not fresh?

If clothes come out smelling musty even after a wash, the usual culprits are a dirty machine, too much detergent, or leaving wet laundry sitting in the drum. Run the cleaning steps above, cut back your detergent, and move loads to the dryer or line promptly instead of letting them sit damp. A machine that drains slowly or leaves clothes extra wet often points to a clogged drain filter or hose rather than a worn-out washer, so check those before assuming the appliance is failing. Addressing the moisture and residue solves the smell at its source rather than masking it with scented products. If the odor persists after a thorough clean and the gasket, dispensers, and filter are all spotless, a plumbing issue such as a blocked standpipe or a drain hose pushed too far down can let sewer gas back into the machine, which is worth checking before you blame the appliance.

A clean washer does its job with less energy and leaves laundry genuinely fresh instead of faintly musty. The tools for the filter and panel work are basic ones covered in our list of essential tools for a new homeowner, so most people can do the whole job with what is already in a drawer. For more appliance and upkeep guides, browse the full home improvement collection.