How to Clean a Washing Machine

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Quick overview: Washing machines clean your clothes but collect bacteria, detergent residue, hard water minerals, and mildew over time — especially in the drum, door gasket, detergent drawer, and filter. Cleaning your machine once a month keeps it smelling fresh, running efficiently, and lasting longer. This guide covers the full cleaning process for both front-loaders and top-loaders. If your machine already smells bad, also read Why Does My Washing Machine Smell? For model recommendations with the easiest-to-clean designs, see the Best Washing Machines guide.

What You’ll Need

• White distilled vinegar (2 cups)
• Baking soda (½ cup)
• Washing machine cleaner tablets (e.g., Affresh — optional but convenient)
• Microfiber cloths (2–3)
• Old toothbrush or small scrub brush
• Warm water
• Mild dish soap
• Dilute bleach solution (for gasket mold if present — 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 cup water)

How to Clean a Front-Load Washing Machine

Front-loaders are the machines that most benefit from regular cleaning. The rubber door gasket folds trap moisture, lint, and residue, making them the primary source of that musty smell many front-load owners experience.

Step 1 — Clean the Door Gasket

Pull back the rubber door gasket (the seal around the door opening) and inspect the inner folds. Wipe away any visible lint, debris, or standing water with a dry microfiber cloth first. Then dampen a cloth with white vinegar (or dilute bleach solution if mold is present) and thoroughly wipe all surfaces inside the fold — paying particular attention to the bottom of the gasket where water pools. An old toothbrush reaches into tight creases.

If you see black mold spots, spray with the dilute bleach solution, let sit 5 minutes, then scrub and wipe clean. Rinse with a damp plain-water cloth afterward.

Step 2 — Clean the Detergent Drawer

Pull the detergent drawer out fully (most slide out or have a release tab). Rinse under warm running water, scrubbing the compartments with the toothbrush to remove hardened detergent and fabric softener residue. Let it soak in warm soapy water for 10–15 minutes if residue is stubborn. Wipe out the drawer housing (the cavity where the drawer sits) with a damp cloth — residue builds up in the housing too. Reinsert once dry.

Step 3 — Run a Drum Cleaning Cycle

With the drum empty:

1. If your machine has a dedicated Drum Clean or Tub Clean cycle, select it. These cycles run hotter and longer than a standard wash to break down biofilm and deposits.
2. Add either an Affresh tablet to the drum (not the drawer) or pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum.
3. Run the cycle on the highest available water temperature.
4. When that cycle completes, run a second short rinse cycle with ½ cup of baking soda added to the drum to neutralize any remaining residue.
5. Wipe the inside of the drum with a dry microfiber cloth when finished.

Step 4 — Clean the Pump Filter

Most front-loaders have a pump filter (also called a coin trap or debris filter) located behind a small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. It catches lint, coins, and debris before they reach the pump. A clogged filter slows drainage and contributes to odor.

1. Place a shallow pan or towel under the access panel — residual water will drain when you open it.
2. Open the access panel and slowly unscrew the filter counterclockwise.
3. Let the water drain into your pan.
4. Remove the filter, clean off lint and debris under running water, scrub with the toothbrush if needed.
5. Inspect the filter housing for any trapped debris, wipe clean, reinsert and tighten the filter.

Clean this filter every 2–3 months, or immediately if you notice slow draining.

Step 5 — Wipe the Exterior

Wipe down the machine exterior, control panel, and lid/door with a damp microfiber cloth and mild all-purpose cleaner. Avoid spraying cleaner directly on electronic controls.

Step 6 — Leave the Door Open

After every wash — not just cleaning sessions — leave the door slightly ajar to allow the drum and gasket to dry. This single habit is the most effective way to prevent mildew from returning.

How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine

Top-loaders accumulate residue inside the drum, under the agitator or impeller, and in the detergent dispenser. They’re generally less prone to mold than front-loaders because the top opening allows better airflow, but they still benefit from monthly cleaning.

Step 1 — Fill and Add Cleaner

1. Set the washer to the hottest available temperature and the largest load size.
2. Let the machine fill with hot water, then pause it before the agitation cycle starts.
3. Add 2 cups of white vinegar (pour directly into the water) or add an Affresh tablet to the drum.
4. Let the machine agitate briefly to mix, then pause the cycle and let the solution soak for 30–60 minutes.

Step 2 — Scrub While Soaking (Optional)

While the machine soaks, dip a sponge into the vinegar solution and scrub the underside of the lid, the top rim of the drum, and the agitator or impeller. These areas accumulate hard water deposits and detergent residue that the cycle alone won’t fully address.

Step 3 — Complete the Cycle and Run a Rinse

Resume the cycle and let it complete fully. Then immediately run a second short cycle — empty, warm water, with ½ cup of baking soda in the drum — to rinse away loosened residue.

Step 4 — Clean the Detergent Dispenser

Remove the dispenser tray if detachable and rinse under warm water, scrubbing with the toothbrush. If it’s not removable, wipe it out with a damp cloth soaked in white vinegar.

Step 5 — Wipe Down and Leave Lid Open

Wipe the drum interior and exterior with a dry microfiber cloth. Leave the lid open after every wash cycle to prevent moisture buildup.

Cleaning Frequency Guide

Maintenance Habits That Prevent Buildup

Cleaning once a month is much easier than cleaning a neglected machine. These daily habits dramatically slow the buildup of residue and mildew:

• Use the right amount of HE detergent: Too much detergent is the leading cause of soap scum buildup inside machines. See our guide on How Much Detergent to Use.
• Don’t leave wet clothes in the drum: Transfer laundry to the dryer within 30 minutes of the cycle ending. Wet clothes sitting in a closed drum accelerate mildew growth.
• Leave the door or lid ajar after every wash: Airflow dries the drum and prevents the conditions mildew needs to take hold.
• Wipe the gasket after the last wash of the day: A 30-second wipe of the front-loader door gasket prevents the slow accumulation that causes mold.
• Skip the fabric softener occasionally: Liquid fabric softener leaves a waxy coating on drum surfaces over time. Substitute dryer balls for softener on regular loads to reduce accumulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you clean a washing machine?

Clean your washing machine once a month, or every 30 cycles. Households that run laundry daily may benefit from cleaning every 2–3 weeks. The drum cleaning cycle (if your machine has one) can be run more frequently — monthly is a solid habit.

Can I use vinegar and baking soda to clean my washing machine?

Yes. Run a hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in the drum or detergent dispenser, then follow with a second cycle using half a cup of baking soda. This combination breaks up soap scum, mineral deposits, and mildew. Do not mix vinegar and baking soda simultaneously — run them as separate cycles.

Why does my washing machine smell even after cleaning?

Persistent odor usually means mold or mildew has established in the door gasket folds, the detergent drawer housing, or the pump filter. Clean all three areas thoroughly with a dilute bleach or vinegar solution, and leave the door ajar between washes to allow drying.

What is the best washing machine cleaner?

Affresh washing machine cleaner tablets are widely recommended by appliance manufacturers including Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAid. They dissolve slowly to break up residue throughout a full cycle. White vinegar is a cost-effective alternative for regular maintenance.