How to Clean Your Washer Safely and Thoroughly

You’ve been washing clothes in the same machine for two years and never once cleaned the washer itself. The rubber seal around the door has a dark film. The detergent dispenser has a crusty residue. Your towels smell musty even fresh out of the dryer. The machine that cleans your clothes needs cleaning too.

Washing machines develop buildup from detergent residue, fabric softener, hard water minerals, and mildew. This buildup transfers to your clothes as odors, dullness, and that gray film that makes whites look dirty even after washing.

To clean a washing machine, run a hot cycle with a washing machine cleaner tablet, wipe down the rubber gasket and detergent dispenser, and leave the door open to dry. Do this once a month to prevent odor and buildup.

Front-Load vs. Top-Load Washers

Front-loading washers are more prone to mildew because the rubber door seal traps moisture. They also use less water, which means less rinsing of internal components. If you have a front-loader, cleaning it regularly is not optional.

Top-loading washers are less prone to mildew because they don’t have a rubber door seal, but they can still develop detergent buildup and hard water scale in the agitator and drum.

Step One: Clean the Drum

The drum is where most of the action happens, and where most of the buildup hides.

Drop one affresh Washing Machine Cleaner tablet into the empty drum. Run the hottest cycle available, usually called “Clean Washer” or “Self Clean” on modern machines. The tablet dissolves slowly throughout the cycle, cleaning internal components you can’t reach by hand.

The drawback: a single tablet handles light to moderate buildup. If you’ve never cleaned your washer before, you may need two cycles to get it fully clean.

Skip DIY alternatives like vinegar and baking soda for the drum. While vinegar can help with surface cleaning, manufacturers like Maytag and Whirlpool warn that vinegar can damage rubber seals and hoses over time. Products formulated for washing machines are safer and more effective.

Step Two: Clean the Rubber Gasket

If you have a front-loading washer, the rubber door seal is the single most likely place to find mold. Pull back the fold of the gasket and look inside. That dark film is mildew.

Wipe the entire gasket with a cloth dampened with a mild cleaning solution (equal parts water and white vinegar works for external surfaces). For stubborn mold, use an old toothbrush to scrub the grooves.

Dry the gasket thoroughly after cleaning. Leaving it wet just gives the mold a fresh start.

Step Three: Clean the Detergent Dispenser

Remove the detergent dispenser drawer (most pull straight out). Soak it in warm water for 10 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush to remove the crusty residue.

Check the cavity where the dispenser sits. Detergent and fabric softener often pool behind the dispenser and create a slimy buildup. Wipe this area with a damp cloth.

Let the dispenser dry completely before reinserting it. A wet dispenser drawer breeds mildew faster than a dry one.

Step Four: Wipe the Exterior

Wipe down the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth. Pay attention to the control panel and the top of the machine, where dust and detergent drips accumulate.

Don’t use abrasive cleaners on the exterior, especially on models with a glass door. A microfiber cloth and water are enough for most surfaces.

How Often Should You Clean Your Washer?

Once a month is the standard recommendation for most households. If you wash heavily soiled items frequently (work uniforms, sports gear, cloth diapers), clean the washer every two weeks.

If you notice any of these signs, clean the washer immediately:

• Clothes smell musty after washing
• Visible mold on the gasket or dispenser
• A sour smell when you open the door
• Dull or gray whites despite using detergent

Preventing Buildup Between Cleanings

Leave the washer door open between loads. This is the single most effective habit for preventing mildew in front-loading washers. The drum needs to dry completely between cycles.

Use only the recommended amount of HE detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mildew and attracts dirt.

Skip fabric softener or use it sparingly. Fabric softener leaves a waxy film that builds up on internal components.

FAQ

How often should you clean your washing machine? Once a month for most households. If you wash heavily soiled items frequently, every two weeks. Signs that you need to clean immediately include musty-smelling clothes, visible mold, or a sour odor from the machine.

Can you use vinegar to clean a washing machine? Vinegar can clean external surfaces and removable dispensers, but manufacturers warn against using it in the drum because it can damage rubber seals and hoses over time. Use a product formulated for washing machines instead.

Why does my front-loading washer smell? Front-loading washers trap moisture in the rubber door seal, which creates an ideal environment for mildew. Leaving the door open between loads and cleaning the gasket regularly prevents most odor problems.

What is the best washing machine cleaner? Affresh washing machine cleaner tablets are widely recommended by manufacturers like Whirlpool and Maytag. They’re formulated to dissolve slowly and clean internal components without damaging rubber or metal parts.

Can a dirty washing machine make clothes smell? Yes. Detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and mildew in the machine transfer to your clothes during the wash cycle. If your clothes smell musty right out of the wash, the machine is likely the source.

How do you clean the rubber seal on a front-load washer? Pull back the fold of the rubber gasket and wipe it with a cloth dampened with equal parts water and white vinegar. Use an old toothbrush for stubborn mold in the grooves. Dry the gasket thoroughly after cleaning.

Should you leave the washing machine door open? Yes, especially for front-loading washers. Leaving the door open between loads allows the drum to dry completely, which prevents mildew growth. This single habit prevents most washer odor problems.

References

1. Apartment Therapy. “How to Clean a Washing Machine with Vinegar and Baking Soda.” apartmenttherapy.com.
2. Good Housekeeping. “Cleaning Pros Explain How to Clean a Washing Machine.” goodhousekeeping.com.
3. Maytag. “Stop Using Vinegar to Clean Your Washing Machine.” maytag.com.
4. Whirlpool. “Should You Clean Your Washing Machine with Vinegar?” whirlpool.com.