How to Clean Your Washing Machine for Fresh, Clean Clothes

Your clothes come out of the wash smelling musty or looking dull. Maybe there’s a sour smell from the machine, or dark spots on the rubber seal. A dirty washing machine transfers dirt, mold, and odors to your clothes. Cleaning your washing machine regularly keeps clothes fresh and extends the machine’s life. Here’s how to clean your washing machine.

A washing machine cleans clothes but also gets dirty itself. Detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, hard water minerals, and mold accumulate in the drum, dispenser, and rubber seal. This buildup causes odors, reduces cleaning performance, and can stain clothes. Cleaning the machine monthly with the right products removes buildup and keeps clothes fresh.

To clean your washing machine, run an empty hot cycle with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly, clean the dispenser drawer, wipe the rubber seal, clean the filter, and leave the door open between loads. Don’t use bleach to clean the machine, don’t use too much detergent, and don’t close the door between loads.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning Your Washing Machine

Step 1: Run an Empty Hot Cycle with affresh

Place one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in the washer drum. Run an empty hot cycle. The tablet dissolves and removes residue, mold, and odors.

Step 2: Clean the Dispenser Drawer

Remove the detergent dispenser drawer. Soak it in warm water with dish soap for 15 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush to remove buildup. Rinse and replace.

Step 3: Wipe the Rubber Seal

Wipe the rubber seal around the door with a cloth soaked in warm water and vinegar. Check for mold in the folds. Remove any debris.

Step 4: Clean the Filter

Locate the filter (usually at the bottom front of the machine). Place a towel underneath. Remove the filter cap. Clean the filter with an old toothbrush. Replace.

Step 5: Wipe the Drum

Wipe the inside of the drum with a clean cloth. Remove any residue or debris.

Step 6: Wipe the Exterior

Wipe the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth. Don’t use abrasive cleaners.

Step 7: Leave the Door Open

Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry. This prevents mold and mildew.

Monthly Cleaning Routine

Week 1: Run affresh Cycle

Run an empty hot cycle with one affresh tablet. This removes buildup and odors.

Week 2: Clean the Dispenser

Remove and clean the dispenser drawer.

Week 3: Wipe the Rubber Seal

Wipe the rubber seal with vinegar and water.

Week 4: Clean the Filter

Remove and clean the filter.

Alternative Cleaning Methods

Use White Vinegar

Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar. Vinegar removes mineral buildup and odors. Don’t mix vinegar with bleach.

Use Baking Soda

Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the drum before running an empty hot cycle. Baking soda removes odors and residue.

Use Vinegar and Baking Soda Together

Add 2 cups of vinegar to the detergent dispenser and half a cup of baking soda to the drum. Run an empty hot cycle. The combination removes buildup and odors.

Use the Right Products for Laundry

Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle

Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Laundry sanitizer: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

Ink remover: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

How to Prevent a Dirty Washing Machine

Use the Right Amount of Detergent

Using too much detergent leaves residue that builds up in the machine. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle for HE washers, or the recommended amount for standard washers.

Use HE Detergent in HE Washers

Use HE detergent in HE washers. Regular detergent produces too many suds, which leave residue.

Don’t Use Fabric Softener

Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue that builds up in the machine. Use vinegar instead.

Leave the Door Open

Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry. This prevents mold and mildew.

Clean Monthly

Clean the machine monthly with affresh to prevent buildup.

Wipe the Seal After Each Load

Wipe the rubber seal after each load to remove moisture and prevent mold.

What Not to Do

Don’t use bleach to clean the machine. Bleach can damage rubber seals and gaskets. Use affresh or vinegar instead.

Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that builds up in the machine. Use the recommended amount.

Don’t close the door between loads. Closing the door traps moisture and causes mold. Leave the door open.

Don’t use regular detergent in HE washers. Regular detergent produces too many suds. Use HE detergent.

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softer leaves residue. Use vinegar instead.

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

FAQ

How do you clean a washing machine? Run an empty hot cycle with one affresh tablet, clean the dispenser drawer, wipe the rubber seal, clean the filter, wipe the drum, and leave the door open between loads.

How often should you clean your washing machine? Clean your washing machine monthly with affresh. Clean the dispenser and rubber seal every 2 to 4 weeks.

Can you use vinegar to clean a washing machine? Yes. Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar. Vinegar removes mineral buildup and odors. Don’t mix vinegar with bleach.

Why does your washing machine smell? Washing machines smell because of mold and mildew caused by trapped moisture, detergent residue, and fabric softener buildup. Clean monthly with affresh and leave the door open.

What is the best washing machine cleaner? affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the best cleaner. It removes residue, mold, and odors in one hot cycle. Use one tablet monthly.

References

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