How to Clean a Washing Machine Safely and Thoroughly

You’ve been doing laundry for years and never thought about cleaning the washing machine itself. But lately, your clothes come out smelling musty even after a fresh wash. You open the washer door and notice a sour smell. You look at the rubber seal on your front-loader and see black spots. That’s mold. Your washing machine cleans your clothes, but it also collects detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, bacteria, and mold. If you don’t clean it regularly, it transfers all of that back onto your clothes.

Cleaning a washing machine is the process of removing detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, bacteria, and mold from the drum, dispenser, seals, and filter of a washing machine. Regular cleaning prevents odors, improves cleaning performance, and extends the life of the machine.

To clean a washing machine, run a cleaning cycle with a dedicated cleaner like affresh once a month, wipe the rubber seal and door after each use, clean the detergent dispenser every 2 to 3 months, and check the filter every 6 months. Don’t use vinegar regularly in the drum, as it can degrade rubber seals over time.

Monthly Cleaning: The Cleaning Cycle

The most important step in cleaning a washing machine is running a monthly cleaning cycle with a dedicated cleaner.

Step 1: Choose a dedicated cleaner. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner tablets. They’re formulated specifically for washing machines and are safe for all machine types.

Step 2: Add the cleaner. Place one tablet directly in the washer drum (not in the dispenser). For front-loaders, place it in the bottom of the drum. For top-loaders, place it in the drum before adding water.

Step 3: Run a cleaning cycle. If your machine has a cleaning cycle, use it. If not, run a hot water cycle with the highest water level setting. Don’t add clothes or detergent.

Step 4: Wipe the drum after the cycle. After the cycle finishes, wipe the inside of the drum with a clean, damp cloth to remove any loosened residue.

Step 5: Leave the door open. Leave the door or lid open for a few hours after cleaning to let the drum air dry completely.

Cleaning the Rubber Seal (Front-Loaders)

The rubber seal on a front-loading washing machine is the most common spot for mold and mildew. Clean it every 2 to 4 weeks.

Step 1: Wipe the seal. Wipe the rubber seal with a clean, damp cloth. Get into all the folds and grooves where moisture and residue collect.

Step 2: Check for mold. If you see black spots, mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Dip a cloth in the solution and wipe the moldy areas. Don’t use full-strength bleach, as it can damage the rubber.

Step 3: Dry the seal. Wipe the seal dry with a clean cloth. Moisture is what causes mold, so drying is essential.

Step 4: Leave the door open. After each wash, leave the door slightly open to let the seal dry between uses.

Cleaning the Detergent Dispenser

The detergent dispenser can harbor old detergent, fabric softener, and mold. Clean it every 2 to 3 months.

Step 1: Remove the dispenser. Pull out the detergent dispenser drawer. Most dispensers release by pressing a latch or button.

Step 2: Soak in warm water. Soak the dispenser in a sink of warm water for 10 minutes to loosen buildup.

Step 3: Scrub with an old toothbrush. Scrub all compartments with an old toothbrush to remove residue and mold.

Step 4: Rinse and dry. Rinse the dispenser thoroughly with clean water and dry it before putting it back.

Step 5: Clean the dispenser slot. Wipe the slot where the dispenser goes with a damp cloth to remove any residue.

Cleaning the Filter

Many washing machines have a filter that traps lint, coins, and debris. Check and clean it every 6 months.

Step 1: Locate the filter. The filter is usually behind a small door at the bottom front of the machine (front-loaders) or in the center of the agitator (top-loaders).

Step 2: Place a towel underneath. Water will come out when you open the filter. Place a towel or shallow pan underneath.

Step 3: Open and remove the filter. Twist or pull the filter out according to your machine’s manual.

Step 4: Clean the filter. Remove lint, coins, and debris. Rinse the filter under running water.

Step 5: Replace the filter. Put the filter back and close the access door.

What Not to Use

Don’t use vinegar regularly in the drum. While a one-time vinegar cycle can freshen the drum, regular use degrades rubber seals and hoses. Use a dedicated cleaner like affresh instead.

Don’t use chlorine bleach in the drum. Bleach can damage rubber components and is unnecessary for routine cleaning. Use it only for mold on the seal (diluted 1:10 with water).

Don’t use baking soda in the drum for cleaning. Baking soda is great as a laundry booster but can leave a residue in the drum if used for cleaning. Use a dedicated cleaner instead.

Don’t use DIY cleaning recipes. Homemade cleaning recipes (baking soda and vinegar mixtures) are less effective than dedicated cleaners and can leave residue.

Preventing Odors Between Cleanings

Leave the door open after each wash. The most important habit. Leaving the door or lid open lets the drum dry between uses, preventing mold and odors.

Use the right amount of detergent. Using too much detergent leaves residue that feeds bacteria and mold. Use 2 tablespoons per load.

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue that builds up in the machine and traps odors. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle instead.

Wipe the seal after each wash. A quick wipe of the rubber seal after each wash prevents moisture buildup.

Don’t wash and leave. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting in the washer. Transfer them to the dryer or a drying rack immediately.

Cleaning Schedule

Task	Frequency	Time
Run cleaning cycle with affresh	Monthly	1 hour
Wipe rubber seal	Every 2 to 4 weeks	2 minutes
Leave door open after each wash	Every wash	0 minutes (just leave it)
Clean detergent dispenser	Every 2 to 3 months	15 minutes
Check and clean filter	Every 6 months	15 minutes
Deep clean (all of the above)	Monthly	1.5 hours

FAQ

How do you clean a washing machine? Run a cleaning cycle with a dedicated cleaner like affresh once a month. Wipe the rubber seal every 2 to 4 weeks. Clean the detergent dispenser every 2 to 3 months. Check the filter every 6 months. Leave the door open after each wash to let the drum dry.

How often should you clean your washing machine? Run a cleaning cycle once a month. Wipe the rubber seal every 2 to 4 weeks. Clean the detergent dispenser every 2 to 3 months. Check the filter every 6 months. Leave the door open after every wash.

Can you use vinegar to clean a washing machine? A one-time vinegar cycle can freshen the drum, but regular use degrades rubber seals and hoses. Use a dedicated cleaner like affresh for monthly cleaning instead. Vinegar is safe for the rinse cycle on clothes but not for regular machine cleaning.

How do you remove mold from a washing machine seal? Mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts water. Dip a cloth in the solution and wipe the moldy areas of the rubber seal. Don’t use full-strength bleach. Dry the seal with a clean cloth and leave the door open to let it air dry.

What is the best washing machine cleaner? affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the most widely recommended. It’s formulated specifically for washing machines, safe for all machine types, and comes in convenient tablet form. Place one tablet in the drum and run a cleaning cycle or hot water cycle.

Why does my washing machine smell bad? Washing machines smell when detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and bacteria accumulate in the drum, seal, and dispenser. Moisture from leaving the door closed between washes allows mold to grow. Clean the machine monthly, use less detergent, skip fabric softener, and leave the door open after each wash.

How do you clean a top-loading washing machine? Run a cleaning cycle with a dedicated cleaner like affresh. Clean the detergent dispenser every 2 to 3 months. Check the filter (usually in the center of the agitator) every 6 months. Leave the lid open after each wash. The process is the same as for front-loaders, except there’s no rubber seal to clean.

References

1. Tide. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. affresh. “How to Clean Your Washing Machine.” affresh.com.