How to Clean a Top Loading Clothes Washer Safely and Thoroughly

You have a top loading washer, and you’ve heard that front loaders need regular cleaning because of their rubber gaskets. Your top loader doesn’t have a gasket, so you assumed it was self-cleaning. Then your towels started coming out smelling sour, and you noticed a gray film on the agitator. Top loading washers need cleaning just as much as front loaders, but the process is different because the design is different.

Cleaning a top loading clothes washer is the process of removing detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, hard water minerals, mold, and bacteria from the drum, agitator or impeller, dispenser, and filter of a top loading washing machine. Top loaders have more natural air circulation than front loaders but still develop buildup over time.

To clean a top loading clothes washer, run a hot cycle with a washing machine cleaner tablet monthly, clean the dispenser drawer, wipe the agitator or impeller, clean the lint filter (if equipped), and leave the lid open between loads. Use a dedicated cleaner, not vinegar, for the drum and internal components.

What You Need

• Washing machine cleaner tablets (like affresh)
• An old toothbrush or small cleaning brush
• A microfiber cloth
• Warm water
• Dish soap

Don’t use bleach, vinegar, or abrasive cleaners. Bleach can damage rubber and metal components. Vinegar can degrade rubber seals and hoses over time. Abrasive cleaners can scratch the drum surface.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning a Top Loading Washer

Step 1: Set the washer to the hottest and longest cycle.

Turn the dial or select the settings for the hottest water temperature and the longest wash cycle. If your washer has a dedicated “Clean Washer” or “Self-Clean” cycle, use that instead.

Step 2: Add the cleaning tablet.

Drop one affresh Washing Machine Cleaner tablet directly into the drum before starting the cycle. Don’t add it to the dispenser. The tablet dissolves and circulates through the internal components, cleaning areas you can’t reach by hand.

The tablet cleans the outer tub, internal hoses, drain pump, and recirculation system. These are the areas where most buildup hides and where odors originate.

Step 3: Clean the dispenser while the cycle runs.

While the cleaning cycle runs, remove the detergent and fabric softener dispenser. On most top loaders, the dispenser lifts out or slides out. Soak it in warm water with dish soap. Scrub with an old toothbrush to remove residue.

If the dispenser isn’t removable, wipe it with a cloth dampened with warm water and dish soap. Use the toothbrush to reach corners.

Step 4: Wipe the agitator or impeller.

After the cleaning cycle ends, wipe the agitator (the tall post in the center) or impeller (the low, flat disc) with a cloth dampened with warm water and dish soap. The agitator or impeller is where fabric softener and detergent residue collect.

If your washer has a removable agitator cap, remove it and clean underneath. You’ll likely find a thick layer of residue.

Step 5: Clean the lint filter (if equipped).

Some top loaders have a lint filter in the agitator or along the rim of the drum. Check your manual. If your washer has one, remove it, rinse it under warm water, and replace it.

Not all top loaders have a lint filter. Many modern top loaders have a self-cleaning filter in the pump that doesn’t need manual cleaning.

Step 6: Wipe the exterior and under the lid.

Wipe the top, sides, and front of the machine with a damp cloth. Lift the lid and wipe the underside, where detergent and fabric softener often splash and dry. Dry with a clean cloth.

Step 7: Leave the lid open.

After cleaning, leave the lid open to let the interior dry completely. This prevents mold from growing back.

How Often to Clean a Top Loading Washer

Component	Frequency	Method
Drum (cleaning cycle)	Monthly	affresh tablet on hot cycle
Dispenser	Monthly	Remove, soak, scrub
Agitator or impeller	Monthly	Wipe with damp cloth
Lint filter (if equipped)	Monthly	Remove, rinse, replace
Exterior and lid	Monthly	Wipe with damp cloth
Under the lid	Monthly	Wipe with damp cloth

If you notice odors between cleanings, run a cleaning cycle sooner. Don’t wait for the monthly schedule if the machine smells.

Top Loaders with Agitators vs. Impellers

Feature	Agitator Models	Impeller Models
Cleaning action	Central post moves clothes	Low disc moves water
Residue buildup	Around the agitator base	On the impeller surface
Agitator cap	Removable for cleaning	No cap (impeller is flat)
Gentle on clothes	Less gentle	More gentle
Cleaning difficulty	Slightly harder (more crevices)	Easier (flat surface)

Both types need the same monthly cleaning cycle. The difference is in the manual wiping: agitator models have more crevices where residue can hide.

Preventing Buildup in a Top Loading Washer

Use less detergent. The most common cause of washer buildup is using too much detergent. Use 2 tablespoons per load, not the cap line. Less detergent means less residue.

Skip fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves a waxy film that builds up on the agitator, impeller, and drum. Use half a cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser instead.

Leave the lid open. After every load, leave the lid up to let the drum dry. Mold needs moisture to grow. Air circulation prevents it.

Use HE detergent. Most modern top loaders are HE machines. Use HE detergent only. Regular detergent creates too many suds and leaves more residue.

Don’t overload the washer. Overloading prevents clothes from moving freely and prevents the detergent from rinsing out completely. Fill the drum no more than three-quarters full.

What to Avoid

Don’t use bleach. Bleach can damage rubber and metal components in the washer. It also creates fumes that can be harmful in small laundry rooms.

Don’t use vinegar regularly. While a one-time vinegar cycle can freshen the drum, regular use can degrade rubber seals and hoses. Use a dedicated washing machine cleaner for the drum.

Don’t use abrasive cleaners. Abrasive powders and scrubbers can scratch the drum surface, creating crevices where bacteria and mold can grow.

Don’t disassemble the washer. Unless your manual specifically instructs you to remove a part for cleaning, don’t take the washer apart. You can damage components and void the warranty.

FAQ

How do you clean a top loading clothes washer? Run a hot cycle with a washing machine cleaner tablet, clean the dispenser, wipe the agitator or impeller, clean the lint filter (if equipped), wipe the exterior, and leave the lid open. Repeat monthly.

How often should you clean a top loading washer? Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner once a month. Clean the dispenser monthly. Wipe the agitator or impeller monthly. Clean the lint filter monthly (if equipped). Clean sooner if you notice odors.

Can you use vinegar to clean a top loading washer? Vinegar can freshen the drum surface but regular use can degrade rubber seals and hoses over time. For the drum and internal components, use a dedicated washing machine cleaner like affresh tablets.

What is the best cleaner for a top loading washer? affresh Washing Machine Cleaner tablets are formulated to clean the drum and internal components without damaging rubber or metal parts. Drop one tablet in the drum and run the hottest cycle.

Do top loading washers need cleaning? Yes. Top loaders don’t have a rubber gasket like front loaders, but they still develop detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and hard water deposits. Without regular cleaning, these buildups cause odors and reduce cleaning effectiveness.

How do you clean the agitator on a top loading washer? Wipe the agitator with a cloth dampened with warm water and dish soap. If your washer has a removable agitator cap, remove it and clean underneath. You’ll likely find a thick layer of fabric softener and detergent residue.

Why does your top loading washer smell? Odors are caused by detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and mold growing in the warm, damp environment. The agitator base and dispenser are common areas for buildup. Clean monthly, use less detergent, and leave the lid open to prevent odors.

References

1. affresh. “How to Clean a Top Loading Washing Machine.” affresh.com.
2. Consumer Reports. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” consumerreports.org.
3. The Spruce. “How to Clean a Top Loading Washing Machine.” thespruce.com.
4. Whirlpool. “How to Clean Your Top Load Washer.” whirlpool.com.