You clean your clothes every week, but when did you last clean the machine that does it? Detergent residue, fabric softener, lint and a damp drum slowly build a film inside every washing machine. That film is the real reason “freshly washed” clothes sometimes come out with a musty smell. This guide shows you how to clean a washing machine properly, whatever type you own.
The good news is that a proper clean takes about an hour once a month. All you need is white vinegar or a cleaner tablet, a cloth and an old toothbrush. Here is how to clean a washing machine of each type: front-load, top-load and semi-automatic.
Signs Your Washing Machine Needs Cleaning
- Clothes smell musty or damp even straight after a wash
- Black or green spots on the rubber door seal (front-loaders)
- A slimy or caked detergent drawer
- Water draining slowly, or standing in the drum
- White flakes or residue on dark clothes
- A chalky white layer inside the drum, which usually means hard water
If you have noticed the smell but not the cause, our guide on how to make clothes smell good covers the clothes side of the problem. This guide fixes the machine side.
What You Need
- White vinegar, or a washing machine cleaner tablet or powder
- Baking soda (optional, for deodorising)
- A microfibre cloth and an old toothbrush
- A shallow tray and a towel, for the drain filter
- Mild dish soap
Two Safety Rules Before You Start
Never mix vinegar with bleach or any chlorine-based cleaner. The combination releases toxic gas. Use one cleaner per cycle, and rinse the machine well if you switch.
Do not add vinegar and baking soda to the same cycle. They react with each other. Most of the cleaning power is lost. Run the vinegar cycle first, then a separate baking soda cycle if you want extra deodorising.
Also check your user manual. Some manufacturers caution that frequent vinegar use can wear rubber seals over time. Some recommend their own cleaning tablets, which is the safest choice if the machine is still under warranty.
How to Clean a Front-Load Washing Machine
1. Clean the rubber door seal. Pull back the folds of the gasket and remove lint, hair and any coins or tissue trapped inside. Wipe it with a cloth dipped in equal parts vinegar and water, and scrub black mould spots with the toothbrush. Dry it with a clean cloth.
2. Clean the detergent drawer. Most drawers pull out with a small release catch. Soak the drawer in hot soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes, scrub it with the toothbrush, and wipe the empty slot it sits in, where mould likes to grow.
3. Clean the drain filter. This is the step most people never do. Look for a small flap at the bottom front of the machine. Place the tray and towel under it, unscrew the filter slowly (water will come out), remove lint, hair and coins, rinse it and screw it back in firmly.
4. Run a hot cleaning cycle. With the drum empty, pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum or drawer, or place a cleaner tablet in the drum. Choose the hottest setting your machine offers, or its “Tub Clean” or “Drum Clean” programme if it has one. Machines differ, so use the highest temperature your manual allows.
5. Wipe and dry. Wipe the drum, the glass door and the seal, then leave the door open so the inside dries completely.
How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine
1. Clean the lint filter. Remove the mesh lint trap (floating bag or built-in filter, depending on the model) and rinse out the lint.
2. Run a hot cycle with cleaner. Fill the tub with hot water to the highest level, add 2 cups of white vinegar or the cleaner powder, and let the machine agitate for a minute. If your machine has a pause option, stop it and let the water sit for 30 to 60 minutes, then finish the cycle.
3. Scrub the hidden parts. Use the toothbrush under the rim of the tub, around the agitator or pulsator, and in the detergent dispenser, where scum collects.
4. Rinse. Run one more cycle with plain water to flush out any loosened residue, then wipe the lid and leave it open to dry.
How to Clean a Semi-Automatic (Twin-Tub) Machine
- Wash tub: fill with hot water, add the cleaner (or a cup of vinegar), run it for 10 to 15 minutes, drain, scrub the sides with a brush and rinse.
- Spin tub: clear lint from the holes in the spin basket and wipe the rim and lid.
- Lint filter and drain pipe: clean the lint bag after every wash, and check the drain hose is not blocked.
How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?
- After every wash: leave the door or lid open, and wipe the door seal if you have a front-loader. Clean the lint filter on top-load and semi-automatic machines.
- Once a month: a hot cleaning cycle, the detergent drawer and the drain filter.
- Every 2 to 3 months if you have hard water: a descaling cycle with a descaler, a cleaner tablet, or a little citric acid, following your machine’s manual.
Habits That Keep It Fresh
- Use the right amount of detergent. More does not clean better; the extra turns into residue.
- Take wet clothes out as soon as the cycle ends, rather than leaving them in a closed drum.
- Check pockets for coins, tissues and pens before loading.
- Do not overload the drum, as clothes need room for water to rinse them properly.
- Go easy on fabric softener, which leaves a sticky film.
When Cleaning the Machine Is Not Enough
Now you know how to clean a washing machine, but some problems need a professional. If the smell comes back within days, water will not drain, or the machine leaks, call a service technician rather than keep scrubbing. And if you do not want to rely on a home machine for delicate or heavily soiled clothes, here is why a washing machine cannot replace professional laundry services. Our doorstep pickup service is there for those loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put vinegar and baking soda in the washing machine to clean it?
Yes, but not together in one cycle. They neutralise each other. Run a vinegar cycle first, then a separate baking soda cycle if you want extra deodorising.
What can I use to clean my washing machine naturally?
White vinegar, baking soda and citric acid are the usual natural options. Check your manual first, as some manufacturers prefer their own cleaning tablets.
How can I clean my washing machine without taking it apart?
Everything in this guide works without tools. The only part you remove is the detergent drawer and, on front-loaders, the drain filter, and both are designed to come out.
Is it safe to use bleach to clean a washing machine?
Only if your manual allows it, and only on its own. Never combine bleach with vinegar or any other cleaner, because the mixture releases toxic gas.
Why do my clothes still smell after the machine is clean?
Check the drain filter and the hose, and make sure you are not using too much detergent or softener. Leaving damp clothes in the drum for hours is another common cause.
Related reading
Front-Load vs Top-Load Washers
Ways to Remove Musty Smell from Clothes in Monsoon
Why Gym Clothes Smell After Washing
