You wouldn’t wash your dishes with a dirty sponge, yet we often wash our clothes in a dirty machine. To keep your appliance running smoothly and your laundry smelling fresh, you need to clean the washer regularly.
Whether you are rocking a modern front-loader or a trusty top-loader, we have the steps you need. We’ll cover how to clean your washing machine with bleach, vinegar, and other simple solutions to banish grime for good.
Key Takeaways
- Frequency matters: Clean your washing machine once a month to prevent mold growth, odors, and bacteria transfer.
- Front-loaders: Focus on the rubber gasket, detergent drawer, and drain filter before running a hot drum-cleaning cycle.
- Top-loaders: Use the “soak and scrub” method with hot water to reach residue hidden under the rim and agitator.
- Safety first: You can use vinegar, baking soda, or bleach to clean, but never mix bleach with vinegar.
Do Washing Machines Need to Be Cleaned?
Absolutely. It seems ironic, but washing machines are magnets for dirt, bacteria, soap scum, and body oils. While detergent cleans your pants and shirts, it doesn’t self-clean the appliance. Over time, this residue builds up in nooks and crannies, leading to mold and that dreaded “mildew” smell.
How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?
You should clean your washing machine at least once a month. If you have a large family or run daily loads, you might need to do it every two weeks. Regular maintenance prevents musty odors from transferring to your clean laundry.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
The process varies slightly depending on your model. We’ll break down the steps for front-loading and top-loading washing machines below. You can use a DIY solution or a commercial tablet, which we will discuss in the next sections.
Pro Tip
How to Clean a Front-Loading Washer
Front-loaders are efficient, but they are notorious for trapping moisture in the door seal.
- Scrub the rubber gasket: Pull back the rubber seal around the door. This is the prime hiding spot for mold, lost socks, and hair. Remove any debris, spray with distilled white vinegar, and wipe thoroughly with a microfiber cloth.
- Wash the dispenser drawer: Remove the detergent drawer completely (usually by pressing a release tab). Soak it in warm soapy water and use an old toothbrush to scrub away sticky fabric softener residue. Rinse and let it dry.
- Clean the drain filter: Locate the small door, usually at the bottom right of the machine. Place a towel and a shallow bowl underneath, open the door, and unscrew the filter. Let the water drain, remove lint or coins from the filter, rinse it, and replace it.
- Add your cleaner: Pour your chosen solution (vinegar or bleach) into the detergent dispenser.
- Run a hot cycle: Select the “Clean Washer” cycle or the hottest, longest wash setting available. Ensure the drum is empty.
- Wipe and dry: Once the cycle ends, wipe the inside of the drum and the glass door with a dry cloth. Leave the door ajar to let the remaining moisture evaporate.
How to Clean a Top-Loading Machine
Top-loaders collect residue differently, often under the top rim or inside the agitator.
- Fill with hot water: Set the machine to the hottest temperature and the largest load size. Let the drum fill with water, but don’t close the lid yet.
- Add cleaning solution: Pour your cleaner (vinegar or bleach) directly into the water.
- Agitate and pause: Allow the machine to agitate for one minute to mix the solution, then open the lid or pause the cycle. Let the mixture soak in the drum for one hour.
- Scrub the hardware: While it soaks, dip a rag or toothbrush into the hot water. Scrub the top of the agitator, the rim of the tub, and the inside of the lid.
- Finish the cycle: Close the lid and let the wash cycle complete.
- Run a rinse cycle: If the machine smells like bleach or vinegar, run one more quick rinse cycle with plain water to clear the lines.
- Air it out: Wipe the drum dry and leave the lid open.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine With Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a powerhouse for laundry. The 5% acidity cuts through soap scum, mineral deposits, and bacteria without harsh fumes (1).
Instructions: Use two cups of vinegar. For front-loaders, pour it into the detergent dispenser. For top-loaders, add it directly to the hot water in the drum.
Pros
- Natural & safe: Non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
- Descaling power: Excellent at breaking down hard water buildup.
- Cost-effective: One of the cheapest cleaning solutions available.
- Odor elimination: Neutralizes bad smells rather than masking them.
Cons
- Acidic nature: Can damage rubber seals if used excessively over many years.
- Smell: Leaves a pickle-like scent during the wash (though it dissipates quickly).
- Limited disinfection: Not as effective as bleach for killing severe virus infestations.
Caution
How to Clean Your Washing Machine With Baking Soda
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mild abrasive and a natural deodorizer. It works well to scrub away physical grime and absorb funky odors (3).
Instructions: Use 1/2 cup of baking soda. Sprinkle it directly into the drum (front-load) or add it to the water (top-load). For a deep clean, run a vinegar cycle first, followed by a separate baking soda cycle.
Pros
- Abrasive action: Helps scrub away sticky residue without scratching.
- Deodorizer: Physically absorbs odor particles.
- Gentle: Safe for septic systems and sensitive skin.
Cons
- Residue risk: If not rinsed with hot water, it can leave a powdery white film.
- Not a disinfectant: It cleans well but does not kill viruses or heavy mold (4).
How to Clean Your Washing Machine With Bleach
When you have visible mold or a smell that just won’t quit, chlorine bleach is the heavy artillery. It disinfects surfaces thoroughly but requires careful handling.
Instructions: Pour 1/2 cup (front-load) or 1 cup (top-load) of bleach into the bleach dispenser or drum. Run a hot cycle with an extra rinse to ensure no bleach remains to spot your next load of dark clothes.
Tips for Using Bleach
- Ventilation: Ensure the laundry room is well-ventilated; fumes can be strong.
- Protection: Wear gloves to prevent skin irritation.
- Isolation: Never mix bleach with other cleaners, acids, or ammonia.
- The follow-up: Always run a “rinse only” cycle after cleaning to protect your next load of laundry.
Pros
- Mold killer: The most effective option for killing fungus and mold spores (5).
- Accessible: Available in almost every household.
Cons
- Harsh fumes: Can irritate lungs, especially for asthma sufferers (6).
- Corrosive: Can damage stainless steel or plastic if left too long.
- Stain risk: Any leftover residue will ruin colored clothing.
Commercial Cleaners vs. DIY Solutions
If measuring cups aren’t your thing, you can buy commercial washing machine cleaners like Affresh or OxiClean. These usually come in tablet or powder form.
These products are formulated with slow-dissolving surfactants that foam up to reach stubborn areas. While more expensive than vinegar, they are convenient and less messy. If you have a warranty on your machine, check the manual; some manufacturers recommend specific commercial tablets to keep the warranty valid.
Why Does My Washing Machine Still Stink?
If you’ve scrubbed and soaked but the smell persists, check these common culprits:
- Hidden mold: Check behind the rubber gasket again. You might need to soak a rag in bleach and tuck it into the seal for an hour to kill deep-rooted mildew.
- Clogged drain pump: If you didn’t clean the filter (bottom front on most front-loaders), trapped stagnant water and rotting lint could be the source of the smell.
- Too much detergent: Using too much soap creates “scrud” (waxy buildup). Switch to high-efficiency (HE) detergent and use less of it.
- Fabric softener buildup: Softeners are animal-fat based and stick to pipes. Swap liquid softener for wool dryer balls or vinegar in the rinse cycle.
- Damp drum: If you leave the door closed between washes, bacteria breeds immediately. Always leave the door or lid slightly ajar.
Should You Call a Pro?
Cleaning a washer is usually a DIY job. However, if you detect a burning smell, loud grinding noises, or if the machine isn’t draining despite a clean filter, it’s time to call a professional.
If you have a serious mold issue inside the mechanics of the machine that you cannot reach, a technician may need to dismantle the tub to clean it manually. Check your warranty first, as some service plans cover maintenance visits.
FAQs
Why Does My Washer Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
A rotten egg smell usually indicates sewer gas or bacteria growing in the drain system. This happens when the drain hose is clogged or positioned incorrectly, causing dirty water to flow back in. Check your drain hose for kinks and run a hot cycle with bleach.
How Do I Use the Self-Clean Cycle?
If your machine has a “Self-Clean” or “Tub Clean” setting, ensure the drum is empty. Add a cleaning tablet or bleach to the dispenser (check your manual for preference). Select the cycle and press start; the machine will automatically fill with extra hot water to sanitize the tub.
Can I Use Dishwasher Tablets in a Washing Machine?
Technically yes, but proceed with caution. Dishwasher tablets are designed to remove grease and food, which can help with soap scum. However, some tablets foam excessively, which can trigger errors in high-efficiency washing machines. It is safer to use products designed specifically for laundry appliances.
Does Vinegar Damage Washing Machines?
Vinegar is generally safe for the plastic and metal components of a washing machine. However, frequent, heavy use of undiluted vinegar could eventually degrade rubber hoses and seals. Using it once a month for maintenance is typically considered safe by most experts.
Can I Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar?
You can use them in the same cleaning session, but don’t mix them simultaneously. They neutralize each other, turning into saltwater and gas, losing their cleaning power. Run a vinegar cycle first to break down mineral deposits, followed by a baking soda cycle to scrub and deodorize.
Clean Machine, Clean Clothes
Laundry day is a lot less of a chore when you know your clothes are coming out truly clean. By taking twenty minutes once a month to sanitize your machine, you extend its lifespan and prevent funky odors from settling into your favorite fabrics.
Whether you opt for the natural vinegar route or the heavy-duty bleach method, consistency is key. Keep that door open between washes, check your filter, and enjoy the fresh scent of success.
