To clean a washing machine, run an empty hot-water cycle with either a washing machine cleaner tablet or two cups of white vinegar, then wipe down the drum, rubber gasket (on front loaders), and detergent drawer by hand. Do this monthly to prevent the musty smell and buildup that comes from detergent residue and trapped moisture.
It sounds backwards — the appliance that cleans your clothes needing to be cleaned itself — but washing machines build up detergent residue, mineral deposits, and trapped moisture over time, and that combination is exactly what causes the musty smell many people assume is just “how washers smell.” Knowing how to clean a washing machine properly, front load or top load, fixes that and keeps the machine running better for longer.
Why Washing Machines Need Regular Cleaning
Every wash cycle leaves behind a small amount of detergent, fabric softener, and lint. Over weeks and months, this builds up in the drum, the gasket (on front loaders), and the detergent dispenser. Front-load washers are especially prone to odor because the rubber door seal traps moisture after each cycle, creating the exact damp, dark environment mold prefers. Top loaders build up residue differently but are just as prone to grime around the agitator and dispenser over time.
What You’ll Need
- White vinegar or bleach (check your manual — bleach isn’t safe for every washer model)
- Baking soda
- A washing machine cleaning tablet (optional, but effective)
- A microfiber cloth or old toothbrush
- A spray bottle
How to Clean a Front-Load Washing Machine
Step 1: Check for Debris
Open the washer door and check the drum for loose items — hair, coins, lint. Pull back the rubber gasket around the door and check underneath it too; this is one of the most commonly missed spots, and debris trapped here is often the actual source of a lingering smell.
Step 2: Clean the Rubber Gasket
Wipe the gasket with a dry cloth first, then spray it with undiluted white vinegar and work it in with a microfiber cloth. This is the single highest-value step when learning how to clean a washing machine that smells musty, since the gasket traps moisture more than any other part of the machine.
Step 3: Run a Cleaning Cycle
If your model has a “Clean Washer” or self-cleaning cycle, use it — follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and use a cleaning tablet if one is recommended. If your machine doesn’t have this feature, add 2 cups of white vinegar directly to the empty drum and run the hottest, longest cycle available.
Step 4: Clean the Detergent Drawer
Remove the detergent and fabric softener drawer (most pull out after pressing a release button or tab). Wash all removable parts under running water, and use a soft brush to clean inside the drawer’s housing, where residue commonly builds up unseen.
Step 5: Dry and Air Out
Wipe down the drum, door glass, and gasket with a dry cloth once the cycle finishes. Leave the door slightly ajar between washes rather than closing it immediately — this single habit prevents most of the musty smell that develops in front-load washers over time.
How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine
Step 1: Wipe the Exterior
Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the outside of the machine, removing dust and general grime.
Step 2: Clean the Drum
Add a washing machine cleaning tablet, or 2 cups of bleach or vinegar, directly to the drum. Run the machine’s self-cleaning cycle if it has one, or a normal hot-water cycle if not, and let the water drain out along with the loosened residue.
Step 3: Clean the Agitator (If Applicable)
If your washer has a center agitator, many models allow the top cap to be removed for cleaning underneath — this is a common spot for hidden buildup, especially around the fabric softener dispenser cap.
Step 4: Wipe Down and Finish
Once the cycle finishes, wipe the inside of the lid and drum dry with a cloth to prevent lingering moisture.
Cleaning the Washer Filter and Drain
Many front-load washers have a small filter behind an access panel near the bottom front of the machine. Check your manual — some models need this cleaned every six months, while newer self-cleaning pump filters don’t require manual cleaning at all. A clogged filter or drain doesn’t just cause odor; it can also lead to poor drainage and eventually mold growth inside the machine, so this step is worth checking even if it’s easy to forget.
How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?
A monthly deep clean is the general rule for both front-load and top-load machines. Households with pets, young kids, or heavy laundry use may benefit from cleaning every two weeks instead, since higher usage means faster residue buildup.
Preventing Buildup Between Cleanings
- Use only the recommended amount of detergent — more isn’t more effective, it just adds to residue buildup, especially in high-efficiency front loaders
- Leave the door or lid slightly open between washes so moisture can evaporate instead of sitting trapped
- Remove wet laundry promptly instead of leaving it in the drum, which is one of the fastest ways to develop mold and a lingering odor
- Add a splash of vinegar to regular wash cycles occasionally to help combat odor buildup over time
For the rest of your laundry room’s regular cleaning routine, our deep cleaning checklist covers the areas around your washer that are easy to overlook.
FAQs About How to Clean a Washing Machine
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Once a month is standard for most households. Homes with pets, young children, or heavier laundry loads may benefit from cleaning every two weeks instead.
What is the best natural cleaner for a washing machine?
White vinegar is the most commonly recommended natural option — it dissolves mineral deposits and detergent buildup effectively without the harshness of bleach.
Why does my front-load washer smell musty?
This is almost always caused by trapped moisture in the rubber door gasket. Wiping the gasket dry after each wash and leaving the door slightly open between cycles usually resolves it.
Can I use bleach to clean my washing machine?
In many machines, yes, but not all — check your manufacturer’s manual first, since bleach isn’t compatible with every washer model and can damage certain internal components if used incorrectly.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to clean a washing machine properly comes down to two habits: a monthly cleaning cycle with vinegar or a cleaning tablet, and leaving the door cracked open between washes so moisture doesn’t sit and stagnate. Both take minutes, and both are the difference between a washer that stays fresh for years and one that starts smelling musty within a few months.