Cleaning a Front Loader Washing Machine: Settings, Products, and Timing

You want to clean your front loader washing machine. Maybe you notice a musty smell, you see mold in the rubber seal, or your clothes aren’t coming out as clean as they used to. Front loader washing machines are prone to mold and odors because they use less water and have airtight seals. Here’s a guide to cleaning a front loader washing machine, including settings, products, and timing.

Cleaning a front loader washing machine is the process of removing mold, mildew, detergent residue, and odors from the drum, rubber seal, dispenser, and filter. Front loaders are more prone to mold than top loaders because they use less water and have airtight rubber seals that trap moisture. The key is cleaning the right parts with the right products on the right schedule.

To clean a front loader washing machine, run a hot cycle with affresh, wipe the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the dispenser, clean the filter, run a second cycle with vinegar, and leave the door open. Clean monthly with affresh, wipe the seal weekly, and leave the door open between loads. Don’t use chlorine bleach, don’t use abrasive cleaners, and don’t close the door between loads.

Parts to Clean

1. Drum

The drum is where clothes are washed. Detergent residue, mold, and mildew can build up in the drum.

How to clean: Run an empty hot cycle with one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

2. Rubber Seal (Gasket)

The rubber seal around the door is the most common place for mold to grow in front loaders. Water and debris get trapped in the folds of the seal.

How to clean: Wipe the seal with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Pull back the folds and wipe inside. Remove any visible mold or debris.

3. Detergent Dispenser

The detergent dispenser can trap detergent, fabric softener, and water, leading to mold and buildup.

How to clean: Remove the dispenser and soak it in hot water with vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse and replace.

4. Filter (Pump Filter)

The filter catches lint, coins, and debris. A clogged filter can cause odors and drainage problems.

How to clean: Open the filter access panel (usually at the bottom front of the machine). Place a towel to catch water. Remove the filter and clean it. Replace.

5. Door Glass

The door glass can collect detergent residue and mold.

How to clean: Wipe the door glass with a cloth soaked in vinegar.

6. Exterior

The exterior can collect dust, detergent spills, and fingerprints.

How to clean: Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. Dry with a clean cloth.

Step-by-Step: Deep Cleaning a Front Loader

Step 1: Run a Cleaning Cycle with affresh

Place one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner directly in the washer drum. Set the washer to the hottest water setting and the longest cycle. Run the cycle.

Step 2: Wipe the Rubber Seal

After the cycle, wipe the rubber seal with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Pull back the folds and wipe inside. Remove any visible mold or debris.

Step 3: Clean the Detergent Dispenser

Remove the detergent dispenser. Soak it in hot water with white vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and replace.

Step 4: Clean the Filter

Open the filter access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a towel to catch water. Remove the filter and clean it with a toothbrush. Replace the filter.

Step 5: Wipe the Door Glass

Wipe the door glass with a cloth soaked in vinegar.

Step 6: Run a Second Cycle with Vinegar

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run an empty hot cycle. Vinegar kills remaining mold spores and removes odors.

Step 7: Wipe the Drum

After the second cycle, wipe the drum with a dry cloth to remove any remaining residue.

Step 8: Leave the Door Open

Leave the door open to allow the machine to dry completely. This is the most important step for preventing mold.

Settings Guide

Water Temperature

Use the hottest water setting for cleaning cycles. Hot water kills mold spores and dissolves residue.

Cycle

Use the longest cycle or the machine’s self-cleaning cycle if it has one.

Load

Run cleaning cycles empty (no clothes).

Products Guide

Machine Cleaner

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner. Place one tablet in the drum and run a hot cycle. affresh breaks down residue and kills mold.

White Vinegar

Use white vinegar to wipe the rubber seal, clean the dispenser, and run a second cleaning cycle. Vinegar kills mold and removes odors.

Baking Soda

Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the drum for extra cleaning power. Baking soda absorbs odors.

Laundry Products for Regular Use

Use Tide Free and Gentle for washing clothes.

Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for stains.

Use Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for grease.

Use Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam for food stains.

Use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover for ink.

Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer for disinfecting.

Timing Guide

Task	When	How Often
Deep clean with affresh	Monthly	Monthly
Wipe rubber seal	Weekly	Weekly
Clean dispenser	Monthly	Monthly
Clean filter	Every 3 months	Quarterly
Leave door open	After every load	Every load
Wipe door glass	Weekly	Weekly
Run vinegar cycle	Monthly	Monthly

How to Prevent Mold in a Front Loader

Leave the Door Open

Leave the door open between loads to allow the drum to dry. This is the most important step for preventing mold.

Wipe the Rubber Seal

Wipe the rubber seal after every load to remove trapped water and debris.

Use Less Detergent

Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold.

Don’t Use Fabric Softener

Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold. Use white vinegar instead.

Use HE Detergent Only

Use HE detergent only in front loaders. Regular detergent causes oversudsing and residue.

Remove Clothes Promptly

Remove clothes as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting.

Clean Monthly

Clean the machine monthly with affresh to prevent mold and odors.

What Not to Do

Don’t use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can damage the rubber seal and drum. Use affresh and vinegar instead.

Don’t use abrasive cleaners. Abrasive cleaners can scratch the drum and door. Use gentle cleaners.

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

Don’t use regular detergent. Regular detergent causes oversudsing and residue in front loaders. Use HE detergent.

Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons.

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold. Use white vinegar instead.

Don’t ignore the filter. A clogged filter causes odors and drainage problems. Clean quarterly.

FAQ

How do you clean a front loader washing machine? Run a hot cycle with affresh, wipe the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the dispenser, clean the filter, run a second cycle with vinegar, and leave the door open.

How often should you clean a front loader washing machine? Clean monthly with affresh. Wipe the rubber seal weekly. Clean the dispenser monthly. Clean the filter quarterly. Leave the door open between loads.

Why does my front loader washing machine smell? Front loaders smell because mold grows in the rubber seal and drum due to trapped moisture. Clean monthly with affresh, wipe the seal weekly, and leave the door open between loads.

What is the best cleaner for a front loader washing machine? affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the best cleaner. Place one tablet in the drum and run a hot cycle. It breaks down residue and kills mold.

How do you clean the rubber seal on a front loader? Wipe the rubber seal with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Pull back the folds and wipe inside. Remove any visible mold or debris. Do this weekly.

References

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