How to Clean Your Washing Machine (Yes, It Needs It)

It seems counterintuitive that a machine designed to clean things can get dirty itself. But think about what flows through your washing machine: body oils, sweat, dirt, food stains, pet hair, and detergent residue. Over time, that combination builds up inside the drum, in the door gasket, in the detergent drawer, and in the drain filter.

The result is a musty-smelling machine that can transfer odors to your freshly washed clothes. If your "clean" laundry has a faint sour or musty smell, your washing machine is almost certainly the culprit.

How to Clean a Front-Load Washing Machine

Front-loaders are more prone to odor and mold problems because the horizontal drum and rubber door gasket trap moisture. Here is a thorough monthly cleaning routine:

Step 1: Clean the Door Gasket

The rubber gasket around the door is ground zero for mold in front-loaders. Pull back the folds and you will likely find black mold, hair, and slimy residue.

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the gasket generously, pulling back each fold to reach hidden surfaces.
3. Wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel. For black mold, use a cloth dampened with a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per 1 quart water).
4. Dry the gasket thoroughly.

Step 2: Clean the Detergent Drawer

Pull out the detergent dispenser drawer (most slide out with a release tab). Soak it in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush to remove caked detergent and fabric softener. Clean the housing where the drawer sits — gunk accumulates there too.

Step 3: Run a Cleaning Cycle

Most modern front-loaders have a dedicated "Clean" or "Tub Clean" cycle. If yours does, use it. If not:

1. Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser.
2. Run the hottest, longest cycle available with an empty machine.
3. When the cycle finishes, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drum.
4. Run another short hot cycle.

Alternative: Instead of vinegar, you can use 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach in the bleach dispenser. Do NOT combine vinegar and bleach — this produces toxic chlorine gas.

Step 4: Clean the Drain Filter

Front-loaders have a small drain filter (usually behind a panel at the bottom front of the machine). Open it, have towels ready to catch water, unscrew the filter cap, and remove any debris (coins, hair ties, lint). Rinse the filter under running water and replace it.

Clean this filter every 1-3 months. A clogged filter causes drainage problems and odors.

Step 5: Wipe the Exterior and Door

Wipe down the machine exterior, the door glass (inside and out), and the control panel with a damp cloth. Dry everything.

How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine

Top-loaders are less prone to mold because gravity helps water drain, but they still need cleaning.

1. Fill the drum with hot water. Set the machine to the largest load size and hottest temperature. Start the cycle and let it fill.
2. Add the cleaner. Once full, add 4 cups of white vinegar. Let it agitate for a minute to mix, then pause the cycle.
3. Soak for one hour. Leave the lid open and let the vinegar water sit in the drum.
4. Resume and complete the cycle.
5. Run a second cycle with baking soda. Add 1 cup of baking soda and run another hot cycle to deodorize and remove any remaining residue.
6. Wipe the drum, lid, and agitator with a clean cloth after the final cycle.

How to Prevent Washing Machine Odors

• Leave the door or lid open after every wash. This lets the interior air dry and prevents mold growth. This single habit is more effective than any cleaning product.
• Use the right amount of detergent. More is not better. Follow the package directions. For HE (high-efficiency) machines, only use HE detergent — regular detergent produces too many suds and leaves residue.
• Remove wet clothes promptly. Do not leave wet laundry sitting in the drum. Transfer to the dryer within an hour of the cycle ending.
• Wipe the gasket after each use (front-loaders). A quick pass with a dry cloth removes moisture from the folds.
• Run a monthly cleaning cycle even if the machine does not smell. Prevention is easier than fixing an established mold problem.

Common Washing Machine Issues

• Clothes smell musty after washing: Your machine needs cleaning. Follow the steps above, and check that you are using the right amount of detergent.
• Black flakes on clothes: Mold from the door gasket or drum. Deep clean the machine, focusing on the gasket.
• Standing water in the drum: Check and clean the drain filter. If the problem persists, the drain hose may be clogged.
• Detergent residue on clothes: You are using too much detergent or using non-HE soap in an HE machine. Reduce the amount and run an extra rinse cycle.

A Clean Machine for Clean Clothes

Your washing machine works hard. A 15-minute monthly cleaning keeps it running well, smelling fresh, and actually cleaning your clothes instead of making them smell worse. The key habits are simple: leave the door open, use the right detergent amount, and run a hot cleaning cycle once a month.

For a complete home refresh that goes beyond laundry, Otesse offers deep cleaning services across Oregon that tackle every room from top to bottom.