How to Sanitize a Washing Machine Safely and Thoroughly

Your washing machine has mold and bacteria growing inside. You smell it every time you open the door. The musty odor is transferring to your clothes, and even freshly washed laundry doesn’t smell clean. A dirty washing machine can spread bacteria, mold, and odors to every load. But you can sanitize it. Here’s how to sanitize a washing machine safely and thoroughly.

Sanitizing a washing machine is the process of killing bacteria, mold, and mildew inside the drum, rubber seal, detergent dispenser, and internal components. Sanitizing requires cleaning the seal and dispenser, running a hot cycle with vinegar and baking soda or a commercial cleaner, and leaving the door open to dry.

To sanitize a washing machine, clean the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the detergent dispenser, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda, use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner, and leave the door open between washes. Don’t use chlorine bleach on rubber seals, don’t use too much detergent, and don’t close the door between washes.

Step-by-Step: Sanitizing a Washing Machine

Step 1: Clean the Rubber Seal (Front Loaders)

Pull back the folds of the rubber seal and wipe with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. For visible mold, apply vinegar directly, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe. For stubborn mold, use a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water, scrub with an old toothbrush, then wipe with vinegar.

Step 2: Clean the Detergent Dispenser

Remove the dispenser and soak in warm water with vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush to remove residue and mold. Rinse thoroughly and replace.

Step 3: Run a Hot Cycle with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser and half a cup of baking soda to the drum. Run the hottest and longest cycle with no clothes.

Step 4: Run a Second Hot Cycle with affresh

Add 1 tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to the drum. Run another hot cycle with no clothes.

Step 5: Wipe the Drum

After the cycles, wipe the drum with a clean, dry cloth to remove any loosened residue.

Step 6: Clean the Filter

If your washer has a filter, remove and clean it of lint, coins, and debris.

Step 7: Leave the Door Open

Leave the door open for several hours to let the drum dry completely.

Sanitizing Top Load Washers

Step 1: Fill the Washer

Set the washer to the hottest and largest setting. Let it fill with water.

Step 2: Add Vinegar and Baking Soda

Add 4 cups of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda.

Step 3: Let It Agitate

Let the washer agitate for 1 minute, then stop the cycle and let the mixture sit for 1 hour.

Step 4: Resume the Cycle

Resume the cycle and let it complete.

Step 5: Run a Second Cycle with affresh

Add 1 tablet of affresh and run another hot cycle.

Step 6: Wipe the Drum and Lid

Wipe the drum, lid, and exterior with a clean cloth.

Step 7: Leave the Lid Open

Leave the lid open to let the drum dry.

How to Prevent Bacteria and Mold

Leave the door open between washes. This is the single most important step.

Use less detergent. Use 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle. Excess detergent feeds bacteria.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats the drum and seal with waxy residue. Use vinegar instead.

Use hot water. Use hot water for at least one load per week to kill bacteria.

Remove clothes promptly. Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer for more than 2 hours.

Clean monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner once a month.

Wipe the seal after each wash. Wipe the rubber seal with a dry cloth after each wash.

Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. Add to the rinse cycle for heavily soiled loads to kill bacteria.

What Not to Do

Don’t use chlorine bleach on rubber seals. Chlorine bleach can damage rubber seals over time. Use vinegar instead.

Don’t close the door between washes. Closing the door traps moisture and promotes mold growth.

Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent feeds bacteria and causes residue.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats the drum and seal with waxy residue.

Don’t skip monthly cleaning. Monthly cleaning prevents buildup and odors.

Don’t mix chlorine bleach and vinegar. Mixing them creates toxic chlorine gas.

FAQ

How do you sanitize a washing machine? Clean the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the detergent dispenser, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda, run a second hot cycle with affresh, wipe the drum, clean the filter, and leave the door open.

What is the best way to sanitize a washing machine? Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in a hot cycle. For a deeper clean, first run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda, then run a second hot cycle with affresh.

Does vinegar sanitize a washing machine? Yes. White vinegar kills most bacteria and mold. Add 2 cups to the detergent dispenser and run the hottest cycle. For best results, also use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

How often should you sanitize your washing machine? Monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner once a month. For front loaders with persistent odors, sanitize every 2 to 3 weeks.

Can you use bleach to sanitize a washing machine? You can use chlorine bleach on the drum (white interior only), but don’t use it on rubber seals as it can damage them. Vinegar and affresh are safer and equally effective.

References

1. Tide. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Sanitize a Washer.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Washing Machine Cleaning Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. affresh. “Washer Sanitizing Guide.” affresh.com.