How to Clean Your Washing Machine
Cleaning your washer once a month will ensure that it stays spick-and-span along with your clothes
Marianne Lipanovich
May 15, 2023
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects... More
Just because you fill it with laundry detergent doesn’t mean you don’t need to clean the washing machine itself. It sounds counterintuitive, but while your machine is ridding your clothes of dirt, it doesn’t always rid itself of that same dirt or a buildup of detergent residue.
In addition, the newer HE (high efficiency) machines are especially prone to developing mold and mildew, especially if you live in an area with high humidity levels, which can lead to an odor developing both in the machine itself and on your “clean” clothes. “We take our washing machines for granted,” says Taryn Brucia, a public relations director at LG Electronics. “They do some dirty jobs. We should give them some love.” With that in mind, here’s how to clean a washing machine.
In addition, the newer HE (high efficiency) machines are especially prone to developing mold and mildew, especially if you live in an area with high humidity levels, which can lead to an odor developing both in the machine itself and on your “clean” clothes. “We take our washing machines for granted,” says Taryn Brucia, a public relations director at LG Electronics. “They do some dirty jobs. We should give them some love.” With that in mind, here’s how to clean a washing machine.
How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?
Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the washing machine once a month, although a quick internet search and survey of friends and family will confirm that the majority of us are still wrapping our heads around the idea of cleaning the machine.
Others, though, clean theirs even more often. “I have a separate cleaning cycle as an option on my washing machine and run that cycle after I wash cleaning rags every week,” says Becky Rapinchuk of Clean Mama. Fortunately, the process is fairly painless, especially since the machine itself does most of the work.
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Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the washing machine once a month, although a quick internet search and survey of friends and family will confirm that the majority of us are still wrapping our heads around the idea of cleaning the machine.
Others, though, clean theirs even more often. “I have a separate cleaning cycle as an option on my washing machine and run that cycle after I wash cleaning rags every week,” says Becky Rapinchuk of Clean Mama. Fortunately, the process is fairly painless, especially since the machine itself does most of the work.
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Before Cleaning: Identify Your Machine and Select Your Cleanser
The type of washing machine you have will dictate which method you use to clean it. HE front loaders and top loaders need one approach; top-loading non-HE machines need a slightly different approach.
Before you start, decide what type of cleanser you want to use: white vinegar, bleach or a commercial cleanser. Using vinegar to clean a washing machine is nontoxic, and it’s readily available, making it a favorite for both Brucia and Rapinchuk, but some manufacturers recommend bleach or other chemical cleansers, so check the manual for your machine. If you are using a commercial product, follow the label’s instructions for the recommended amount.
Caution: Choose only one cleanser. You never want to mix these products.
The type of washing machine you have will dictate which method you use to clean it. HE front loaders and top loaders need one approach; top-loading non-HE machines need a slightly different approach.
Before you start, decide what type of cleanser you want to use: white vinegar, bleach or a commercial cleanser. Using vinegar to clean a washing machine is nontoxic, and it’s readily available, making it a favorite for both Brucia and Rapinchuk, but some manufacturers recommend bleach or other chemical cleansers, so check the manual for your machine. If you are using a commercial product, follow the label’s instructions for the recommended amount.
Caution: Choose only one cleanser. You never want to mix these products.
How to Clean a High-Efficiency (HE) Washing Machine (Front Loader or Top Loader)
A monthly cleaning is especially important if your HE machine has developed an odor. “Wiping down the interior of the washer with cleaner, using extra detergent or running everything on the longest, hottest cycle does nothing to help dissipate the scent,” Rapinchuk says, adding that doing this cleaning task will eliminate the odor and keep your washing machine “in tip-top condition.” Many newer high-efficiency (HE) machines have a clean cycle, which makes the process even simpler, but the basic procedure is the same whether you have that or not.
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A monthly cleaning is especially important if your HE machine has developed an odor. “Wiping down the interior of the washer with cleaner, using extra detergent or running everything on the longest, hottest cycle does nothing to help dissipate the scent,” Rapinchuk says, adding that doing this cleaning task will eliminate the odor and keep your washing machine “in tip-top condition.” Many newer high-efficiency (HE) machines have a clean cycle, which makes the process even simpler, but the basic procedure is the same whether you have that or not.
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1. Choose the “clean” cycle. If your machine doesn’t have this, select the hottest water setting. In some cases, this may be the setting for whites or heavily stained clothes.
2. Choose the added rinse cycle if it’s available.
3. Fill the bleach dispenser with your cleanser choice.
4. Fill the tub to the highest level (this will probably be automatic with the clean cycle) and run the machine.
5. If you don’t have a second rinse cycle, run the rinse cycle again manually.
2. Choose the added rinse cycle if it’s available.
3. Fill the bleach dispenser with your cleanser choice.
4. Fill the tub to the highest level (this will probably be automatic with the clean cycle) and run the machine.
5. If you don’t have a second rinse cycle, run the rinse cycle again manually.
Once the cycle has ended, use a microfiber cloth dipped in vinegar to clean the gasket that seals the door and the area around it. “Carefully pull it back and inspect to see if you have mold, mildew or socks (as is the case with mine) underneath,” Rapinchuk says.
Don’t overlook cleaning the washing machine soap dispensers. Use vinegar or soapy water to wipe any detergent, bleach, fabric softeners or other laundry add-ins from the dispensers. “You can often just pop them out,” Brucia says. Wipe off all these areas with a cloth dipped in water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
Finish by wiping down the controls and the outside of the machine with a microfiber cloth dipped in vinegar or an all-purpose spray. To make the exterior shine, dry with a microfiber cloth.
Don’t overlook cleaning the washing machine soap dispensers. Use vinegar or soapy water to wipe any detergent, bleach, fabric softeners or other laundry add-ins from the dispensers. “You can often just pop them out,” Brucia says. Wipe off all these areas with a cloth dipped in water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
Finish by wiping down the controls and the outside of the machine with a microfiber cloth dipped in vinegar or an all-purpose spray. To make the exterior shine, dry with a microfiber cloth.
How to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine
Although older top loaders don’t generally have a cycle for cleaning, you can easily create your own version. It involves a bit of a wait time between beginning the cycle and ending it, so use that time to clean other areas that won’t be reached by the water in the tub.
1. Choose the hot water setting and the longest cycle.
2. Fill the tub to the maximum level, then pause the machine.
3. Add 4 cups of white vinegar or 1 cup of bleach to the water and let the machine agitate for a minute or two.
Although older top loaders don’t generally have a cycle for cleaning, you can easily create your own version. It involves a bit of a wait time between beginning the cycle and ending it, so use that time to clean other areas that won’t be reached by the water in the tub.
1. Choose the hot water setting and the longest cycle.
2. Fill the tub to the maximum level, then pause the machine.
3. Add 4 cups of white vinegar or 1 cup of bleach to the water and let the machine agitate for a minute or two.
4. Pause the washing machine and let it sit for an hour. Dip a microfiber cloth into the soaking solution, wring it out and use it to clean the top of the drum and agitator (where the water doesn’t reach) and the inside of the lid.
If you can remove the bleach and fabric softener dispensers, do so and clean the areas beneath them with the cloth and cleaning solution as well. If they are fixed in place, clean them and the area around them. Brucia says that using vinegar to clean a washing machine will help eliminate the detergent buildup.
Finally, clean the control panel and the outside of the machine with the cleaning solution or an all-purpose spray. Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry and polish the surfaces.
5. Restart the machine and finish the cycle. “You won’t smell the vinegar, but if you do, simply add another rinse cycle,” Rapinchuk says.
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If you can remove the bleach and fabric softener dispensers, do so and clean the areas beneath them with the cloth and cleaning solution as well. If they are fixed in place, clean them and the area around them. Brucia says that using vinegar to clean a washing machine will help eliminate the detergent buildup.
Finally, clean the control panel and the outside of the machine with the cleaning solution or an all-purpose spray. Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry and polish the surfaces.
5. Restart the machine and finish the cycle. “You won’t smell the vinegar, but if you do, simply add another rinse cycle,” Rapinchuk says.
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Daily (or Almost Daily) Care
The experts also have some advice for preventing a buildup of dirt and odors between cleanings. If mold and mildew are a problem, leave the machine’s door or lid open after you finish a load of laundry so that the interior will dry out completely. Before you do this, make sure curious children and pets can’t get into the machine, especially if it’s a front-loading one. Some machines have latches designed to keep the door ajar without leaving it wide open.
Brucia also recommends wiping down the door or lid to get rid of any condensation. Wiping and drying the gasket around the door every time you finish a load of laundry will help prevent a buildup of dirt in that area. As a final tip, be sure to use the correct amount of detergent for your loads.
The experts also have some advice for preventing a buildup of dirt and odors between cleanings. If mold and mildew are a problem, leave the machine’s door or lid open after you finish a load of laundry so that the interior will dry out completely. Before you do this, make sure curious children and pets can’t get into the machine, especially if it’s a front-loading one. Some machines have latches designed to keep the door ajar without leaving it wide open.
Brucia also recommends wiping down the door or lid to get rid of any condensation. Wiping and drying the gasket around the door every time you finish a load of laundry will help prevent a buildup of dirt in that area. As a final tip, be sure to use the correct amount of detergent for your loads.
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Based on a previous comment, I add Borax to most loads and find that my front loader stays fairly clean. I also clean once a month with bleach. I have a reminder for the first Sunday of every month to clean the dishwasher, clothes washer, jetted bathtub and cat fountains. Now that I have a schedule going, it bothers me to break it.
Never had an issue with the first generation of front load washer. My Kenmore Elite in 2003 never had an issue. Fast forward Kenmore Elite 2013 horrible. Have to keep everything opened when done. Door and dispenser. Can’t do laundry during the night as clothing would sit too long. Everything has to be removed immediately when washed and placed in dryer. I don’t know the difference. I am thinking the front seals have changed. Lot of places where water settles. I tried vinegar, hot water, and the specialized washing machine cleaner was the only thing that worked. Now if I remove immediately and open the door and dispenser, it stays nice.
I feel that we are leaving out an important step in this. My front loader has a filter and water reservoir on the bottom (usually has a small panel on the front of the washer) which needs to be emptied and cleaned as well. The filter grabs anything such as hair, pet hair and other things from the load along with draining out the water reservoir. Check your manual for this!! This is KEY to having a completely clean and odor free washer. If it’s never been emptied, be prepared for stinky water and possibly a lot of it. I usually use the clean cycle once a month and then drain the machine of all excess water and clean the filter. I love the other recommendations about vinegar - I use this in all other places!!