How to Clean Out a Washing Machine Safely and Thoroughly

You need to clean out your washing machine. Maybe it smells, maybe your clothes aren’t getting clean, or maybe it’s just been a while. A dirty washing machine transfers soil, bacteria, and odors to your clothes. Cleaning it out is simple and takes about an hour. Here’s how to clean out a washing machine safely and thoroughly.

Cleaning out a washing machine is the process of removing detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, mineral deposits, bacteria, and mold from the drum, dispenser, rubber seal, and filter. A clean machine cleans clothes better, smells fresh, and lasts longer.

To clean out a washing machine, clean the dispenser, wipe the rubber seal, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar, run a second hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda, clean the filter, and use affresh monthly. Leave the door open between washes and use 2 tablespoons of detergent per load.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning Out a Washing Machine

Step 1: Clean the Detergent Dispenser

Remove the detergent dispenser (check your manual for how). Soak it in hot water with Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for 30 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush to remove buildup. Rinse thoroughly and replace.

Step 2: Wipe the Rubber Seal (Front-Load Only)

Wipe the rubber seal around the door with a cloth soaked in equal parts white vinegar and water. Pull back the folds to clean underneath, where mold and residue hide. Dry with a clean cloth.

Step 3: Clean the Drum

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run the hottest cycle with no clothes. Vinegar kills bacteria, dissolves mineral deposits, and removes odors.

Step 4: Run a Baking Soda Cycle

Pour half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda into the drum. Run the hottest cycle with no clothes. Baking soda neutralizes acids and absorbs remaining odors.

Step 5: Use affresh Monthly

For ongoing maintenance, use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly. Place one tablet in the drum and run the hottest cycle.

Step 6: Clean the Filter (Front-Load Only)

Locate the filter access panel (usually at the bottom front of the machine). Place a towel underneath to catch water. Open the filter, remove debris, and rinse under running water. Replace the filter and close the panel.

Step 7: Wipe the Exterior

Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap. Don’t use abrasive cleaners.

Step 8: Leave the Door Open

Leave the door and dispenser open to let the machine dry.

For Front-Load Washers

Front-load washers need extra attention:

• Clean the rubber seal weekly
• Check the drain filter monthly
• Leave the door and dispenser open between washes
• Use less detergent (2 tablespoons max)

For Top-Load Washers

Top-load washers need attention to:

• The agitator or impeller (wipe with vinegar and water)
• The fabric softener dispenser (remove and clean)
• The drum (run cleaning cycles)
• The lid (wipe with a damp cloth)

Cleaning Schedule

Frequency	Task	Product
After every load	Leave door open	Air
Weekly	Wipe rubber seal	Vinegar and water
Weekly	Run one hot water load	Tide Free and Gentle
Monthly	Clean dispenser	Dawn dish soap
Monthly	Run affresh cycle	affresh tablet
Monthly	Clean filter (front-load)	Water
Every 6 months	Deep clean with vinegar and baking soda	Vinegar and baking soda

How to Keep the Machine Clean

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

Don’t use fabric softener. Use half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse instead.

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

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

Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for stains. Prevent food and sweat residue from building up.

Use Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam for grease. Prevent grease buildup.

What Not to Do

Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent feeds bacteria and causes odors. Use 2 tablespoons per load.

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

Don’t close the door between washes. Trapped moisture causes mold.

Don’t use chlorine bleach in the drum. It can damage rubber seals. Use vinegar or affresh.

Don’t use abrasive cleaners on the exterior. They can scratch the surface. Use a damp cloth with mild soap.

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

Don’t skip the filter. A clogged filter reduces cleaning and causes odors. Clean it monthly.

FAQ

How do you clean out a washing machine? Clean the dispenser with Dawn dish soap, wipe the rubber seal with vinegar and water, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar, run a second hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda, clean the filter, and use affresh monthly.

How often should you clean out your washing machine? Monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in a hot cycle. Also clean the dispenser monthly, wipe the rubber seal weekly, and clean the filter monthly (front-load).

Does vinegar clean out a washing machine? Yes. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run the hottest cycle with no clothes. Vinegar kills bacteria, dissolves mineral deposits, and removes odors.

Can you use bleach to clean a washing machine? Don’t use chlorine bleach in the drum, as it can damage rubber seals. Use white vinegar or affresh instead. If you use bleach, use it only in the dispenser and run a full hot cycle afterward.

How do you clean the filter in a washing machine? Locate the filter access panel (usually at the bottom front of a front-load machine). Place a towel underneath, open the filter, remove debris, rinse under running water, and replace. Clean monthly.

References

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