How to Clean the Inside of a Washer Safely and Thoroughly
How to Clean the Inside of a Washer Safely and Thoroughly
You want to clean the inside of your washer. Maybe you see residue in the drum, you notice a musty smell, or your clothes aren’t coming out as clean as they used to. The inside of a washer can collect mold, mildew, detergent residue, and mineral deposits over time. Here’s how to clean the inside of a washer safely and thoroughly.
Cleaning the inside of a washer is the process of removing mold, mildew, detergent residue, mineral deposits, and odors from the drum, rubber seal, dispenser, and filter. The inside of a washer provides a warm, damp environment where mold and mildew thrive. The key is cleaning all the internal parts with the right products on the right schedule.
To clean the inside of a washer, 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 baking soda, wipe the drum, 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 Inside the Washer
1. Drum
The drum is where clothes are washed. Detergent residue, mold, and mineral deposits can build up on the drum surface.
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 (front loaders) or under the lid (top loaders) traps water, debris, and mold.
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 white 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 front loaders). Place a towel to catch water. Remove the filter and clean it with a toothbrush. Replace.
5. Agitator or Impeller (Top Loaders)
The agitator or impeller at the bottom of the drum can collect debris and residue.
How to clean: Wipe the agitator or impeller with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Remove any debris.
6. Drum Lifting Fins
The lifting fins inside the drum can collect debris and residue.
How to clean: Wipe the fins with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
7. Door Glass (Front Loaders)
The door glass can collect detergent residue and mold.
How to clean: Wipe the door glass with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
Step-by-Step: Deep Cleaning the Inside of a Washer
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 empty.
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. Place a towel to catch water. Remove the filter and clean it with a toothbrush. Replace the filter.
Step 5: Wipe the Agitator or Impeller (Top Loaders)
Wipe the agitator or impeller with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Remove any debris.
Step 6: Wipe the Drum Lifting Fins
Wipe the drum lifting fins with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
Step 7: Wipe the Door Glass (Front Loaders)
Wipe the door glass with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
Step 8: Run a Second Cycle with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda into the drum. Run an empty hot cycle. The vinegar kills remaining mold spores and the baking soda absorbs odors.
Step 9: Wipe the Drum
After the second cycle, wipe the drum with a dry cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Step 10: Leave the Door Open
Leave the door or lid open to allow the machine to dry completely.
Products Guide
Machine Cleaner
Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner. Place one tablet in the drum and run a hot cycle.
White Vinegar
Use white vinegar to wipe the rubber seal, clean the dispenser, and run a second cleaning cycle.
Baking Soda
Use Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to absorb odors. Add half a cup to the drum for cleaning cycles.
Detergent for Regular Use
Use Tide Free and Gentle for washing clothes. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load.
Stain Removers for Clothes
Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for most 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.
Disinfectant for Clothes
Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer for disinfecting clothes.
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 |
| Vinegar and baking soda cycle | Monthly | Monthly |
| Leave door open | After every load | Every load |
| Wipe door glass | Weekly | Weekly |
| Wipe agitator (top loaders) | Monthly | Monthly |
How to Prevent Buildup Inside the Washer
Use Less Detergent
Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load. Excess detergent leaves residue that builds up inside the washer.
Don’t Use Fabric Softener
Fabric softener leaves residue that builds up inside the washer and feeds mold. Use white vinegar instead.
Use HE Detergent Only (Front Loaders)
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 inside the washer.
Leave the Door Open
Leave the door or lid open between loads to allow the inside to dry.
Wipe the Seal After Every Load
Wipe the rubber seal after every load to remove trapped water and debris.
Clean Monthly
Clean the inside of the washer monthly with affresh to prevent buildup.
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 too much detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that builds up inside the washer. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons.
Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves residue that builds up inside the washer. Use white vinegar instead.
Don’t ignore the filter. A clogged filter causes odors and drainage problems. Clean quarterly.
Don’t mix vinegar and bleach. Mixing vinegar with chlorine bleach creates toxic chlorine gas. Never mix the two.
FAQ
How do you clean the inside of a washer? 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 baking soda, wipe the drum, and leave the door open.
How often should you clean the inside of a washer? Clean monthly with affresh. Wipe the rubber seal weekly. Clean the dispenser monthly. Clean the filter quarterly. Leave the door open between loads.
What is the best cleaner for the inside of a washer? affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the best cleaner. Place one tablet in the drum and run a hot cycle. Follow with a vinegar and baking soda cycle for extra cleaning.
How do you clean the rubber seal inside a washer? 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.
How do you clean the filter inside a washer? 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. Do this quarterly.
References
- affresh. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” affresh.com.
- The Spruce. “How to Clean the Inside of a Washer.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- Tide. “Machine Care Guide.” tide.com.
