How to Clean Your Washing Machine
TL;DR: To clean your washing machine, run a hot cycle with white vinegar and baking soda, wipe down the drum and door seal, clean the detergent drawer and filter, and leave the door open after each wash. Done monthly, this routine prevents odors, mold, and bacteria buildup.
You trust your washing machine to clean your clothes—but who’s cleaning it? It’s one of those household tasks that’s easy to overlook, mainly because we assume a machine that runs on soap and water must clean itself. It doesn’t.
Over time, detergent residue, hard water minerals, body oils, and lint accumulate inside the drum, filter, and seals. Moist environments like the inside of a washing machine are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, which can transfer to your laundry and leave fabrics smelling musty even after a full wash cycle. That funky smell coming from your “clean” towels? This is usually why.
Cleaning your washing machine regularly—ideally once a month—keeps it running efficiently, extends its lifespan, and ensures your clothes actually come out fresh. Whether you have a front-loader or a top-loader, this guide walks you through every step of the process, plus what to do between cleans to keep things smelling great.
Why Does a Washing Machine Get Dirty?
Every wash cycle leaves something behind. Detergent doesn’t always rinse out completely, especially if you’re using too much. Fabric softener coats the drum walls. Body oils, hair, and lint build up in the filter and seal. Add in the warm, humid environment inside a closed machine and the conditions for mold and mildew growth are almost perfect.
Front-loaders are particularly prone to this because the rubber door gasket traps moisture and residue. Top-loaders have their own issues—mainly lint and detergent buildup around the agitator and drum rim. Neither is immune.
The result is a machine that smells, underperforms, and can actually make your laundry dirtier than it went in.
What You’ll Need to Clean Your Washing Machine
No need for fancy products. Most of what you need is probably already in your pantry:
- White vinegar (distilled)
- Baking soda
- A microfiber cloth or sponge
- An old toothbrush
- Dish soap
- Warm water
Some people prefer commercial washing machine cleaners like Affresh or OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner. These work well too, particularly for heavy buildup. But for regular monthly maintenance, white vinegar and baking soda are highly effective and far cheaper.
How to Clean a Front-Loading Washing Machine
Step 1: Clean the door gasket
The rubber seal around the door is mold’s favorite real estate. Pull it back gently and you’ll likely find a dark, grimy buildup hiding in the folds—especially if you always keep the door closed between washes.
Mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water, dip your cloth or toothbrush into the solution, and scrub the gasket thoroughly. Work your way around the entire seal, getting into every fold. For stubborn mold spots, a paste of baking soda and a little water applied with the toothbrush works really well. Wipe everything clean with a damp cloth when you’re done.
Step 2: Clean the detergent drawer
Pull the drawer out completely—most front-loaders allow this with a small release tab. Rinse it under warm water and use the toothbrush to scrub away detergent residue and any mold from the compartments. Don’t forget to clean inside the drawer cavity itself, where buildup accumulates just as quickly.
Leave the drawer out to dry fully before sliding it back in.
Step 3: Run a cleaning cycle
Pour two cups of white vinegar directly into the detergent dispenser. Run the machine on its hottest, longest cycle—many modern machines have a dedicated “drum clean” or “tub clean” setting, which is perfect for this.
Once that cycle finishes, add half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum and run another hot cycle. The vinegar breaks down residue and deodorizes; the baking soda lifts any remaining grime and neutralizes lingering odors. Together, they do a thorough job.
Step 4: Wipe down the drum
After the cycles complete, open the door and wipe the inside of the drum with a clean microfiber cloth. Pay attention to the back wall and any crevices around the door opening. You may be surprised how much residue is still there.
Step 5: Clean the filter
Most front-loaders have a filter located behind a small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a towel and a shallow dish underneath it before opening—water will spill out. Unscrew the cap slowly and let the water drain into the dish.
Pull out the filter, rinse it under warm water, and remove any lint, coins, or debris (you’d be amazed what ends up in there). Scrub with the toothbrush if needed, then reinsert it securely.
How to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine
Step 1: Run a hot cycle with vinegar
Set the machine to its largest load size, hottest temperature, and longest cycle. As the tub fills with water, pour in four cups of white vinegar. Let the machine agitate for a minute or two, then pause the cycle and let the solution soak for an hour. This gives the vinegar time to break down buildup inside the drum.
While it soaks, dip a cloth into the vinegar water and wipe down the top of the drum, the lid, the control panel, and any surfaces around the opening.
Step 2: Complete the cycle, then run one with baking soda
Resume the cycle and let it finish completely. Then run a second full hot cycle with one cup of baking soda. This two-step approach tackles both residue and odor far more effectively than either ingredient alone.
Step 3: Clean the agitator and drum rim
Once the cycles are done, use your toothbrush and a little dish soap to scrub around the agitator (the central post in the drum) and along the drum rim where residue tends to gather. These spots are easy to miss but quick to clean once you know to look for them.
Step 4: Wipe everything dry
Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe the entire drum interior, including under the lid lip where moisture collects. Leave the lid open for a few hours to let the machine air out completely before the next use.
How to Keep Your Washing Machine Cleaner Between Monthly Cleans
Monthly cleaning is great—but what you do between washes matters too. A few simple habits can dramatically reduce buildup:
- Leave the door or lid open after every wash. This allows the drum to dry out and prevents mold from taking hold.
- Use the right amount of detergent. Most people use far too much. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your load size and water type—excess detergent is one of the main causes of residue buildup.
- Remove laundry promptly. Leaving wet clothes sitting in the drum for hours creates the exact conditions mold thrives in.
- Wipe the door seal and drawer weekly. Just a quick wipe takes 30 seconds and keeps buildup from getting out of hand.
- Run a hot wash regularly. If you mostly wash at low temperatures—which is great for energy efficiency—try to run one hot wash per week to help rinse the drum and prevent bacteria buildup.
How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?
For most households, once a month is the sweet spot. If you’re washing large volumes of laundry—think a big family or regular gym gear—every three weeks is a good idea. If you live alone and run only a few loads per week, you might get away with every six weeks.
The key signs that your machine needs a clean sooner than scheduled: a musty smell when you open the door, laundry that doesn’t smell fresh after washing, or visible mold around the seal or drawer.
What Happens If You Never Clean Your Washing Machine?
Skipping cleaning for months—or years—leads to some pretty unpleasant outcomes. Mold and bacteria colonies grow in the seal and drum. Detergent sludge restricts water flow and reduces washing efficiency. The filter gets clogged, which can cause drainage problems and, eventually, mechanical failure. Clothes start coming out smelling worse than they went in.
Beyond the hygiene concerns, a dirty, poorly maintained machine works harder to do the same job, which shortens its lifespan and drives up energy costs.
The Right Way to Clean Your Washing Machine
Cleaning your washing machine takes less time than most people expect—maybe 20 minutes of active effort, plus the time for the cycles to run. Do it monthly and it stays quick and easy. Let it go for six months and you’re dealing with something far more stubborn.
A clean machine is a more efficient machine. Your clothes will smell better, your machine will last longer, and you won’t have to wonder whether that musty towel smell is coming from the towel or the machine.
Set a monthly reminder, grab your vinegar and baking soda, and make it part of your cleaning routine. Your laundry will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you clean your washing machine?
For most households, once a month is ideal. If you do heavy laundry loads frequently, clean every three weeks. Light users can stretch to every six weeks. Watch for signs like musty odors or laundry that smells stale after washing—those are cues to clean sooner.
Can you clean a washing machine with just baking soda and vinegar?
Yes. White vinegar dissolves detergent residue, mineral deposits, and deodorizes the drum. Baking soda lifts remaining grime and neutralizes odors. Used together in separate cycles, they’re highly effective for regular maintenance cleaning—no commercial cleaner needed.
Why does my washing machine smell even after cleaning?
Persistent odor usually means mold is still present in the door gasket folds or behind the detergent drawer. Scrub those areas thoroughly with a vinegar-water solution and an old toothbrush. Also check that you’re leaving the door open between washes—a closed, damp drum is where odors start.
What is the best setting to use when cleaning a washing machine?
Always use the hottest, longest cycle available. Many machines have a dedicated “drum clean” or “tub clean” setting—use that if you have it. High heat is essential for killing bacteria and dissolving stubborn residue.
Is it safe to use bleach to clean a washing machine?
Bleach can be effective for sanitizing, but it should never be mixed with vinegar or baking soda—combining them creates harmful fumes. If you prefer bleach, use it alone in a separate hot cycle. For regular monthly maintenance, vinegar and baking soda are safer and just as effective.
How do I stop mold from growing in my front-loader’s door seal?
Wipe the gasket dry after every wash and always leave the door ajar. Once a week, do a quick wipe of the seal folds with a cloth dampened in vinegar. Consistent airflow and minimal moisture are the most effective defenses against mold in front-loader seals.