Learning how to clean a washing machine is one of the simplest ways to keep your laundry smelling fresh and your appliance running efficiently for years. It sounds odd — a machine that washes things should surely clean itself — but detergent residue, fabric softener, hard-water minerals and trapped moisture create the perfect breeding ground for mould, mildew and bacteria. The result is musty-smelling clothes, a slimy detergent drawer and a machine that works harder than it should. This guide covers everything: why cleaning matters, step-by-step methods for front-loaders and top-loaders, the best natural cleaners, a maintenance schedule and the mistakes to avoid.
The whole process takes under an hour of actual effort, mostly waiting while the machine runs a hot cycle. Whether your washer is a front-loader with a rubber door seal or a classic top-loader with an agitator, you will find a complete method below that leaves it sparkling and working like new.
Why Your Washing Machine Needs Cleaning
Every wash cycle leaves something behind. Modern detergents are designed to work at low temperatures, which is great for energy bills but means the hot water that once sterilised the drum is rarely used. Residue from detergent and fabric softener builds up on the drum, in the detergent drawer and inside the rubber door seal of front-loaders. Add constant moisture and warmth, and you have ideal conditions for mould and bacterial biofilm.
The signs are easy to spot: a musty or sour smell when you open the door, black spots around the rubber seal, clothes that emerge smelling less than fresh, or a slimy film in the detergent dispenser. Beyond the smell, build-up forces the machine to work harder — limescale on the heating element reduces efficiency, clogged filters slow drainage, and residue in hoses can eventually cause leaks. Anyone learning how to clean a washing machine should start with the manufacturer’s advice: run a cleaning cycle every one to three months. Following that advice genuinely extends the life of the appliance. A clean machine washes better, smells better and costs less to run.
How to Clean a Washing Machine: Front-Loader Steps
Front-loaders are efficient and gentle on clothes, but their airtight door seals trap moisture, making them the most mould-prone design. This is the definitive method for how to clean a washing machine with a front-loading design — follow these steps in order for a thorough deep clean.
- Clean the rubber door seal (gasket). Pull back the folds of the rubber seal and wipe inside with a cloth dampened with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. This is where mould hides — you may find grey or black slime, especially at the bottom of the seal. For stubborn spots, leave a vinegar-soaked cloth pressed against the area for 30 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush and wipe clean. Dry the seal thoroughly afterwards.
- Remove and scrub the detergent drawer. Press the release catch and slide the drawer right out — most drawers come out completely. No guide on how to clean a washing machine is complete without this step, since the drawer harbours more residue than any other removable part. Soak it in hot water with a splash of washing-up liquid for 20 minutes, then scrub every compartment with a brush, paying attention to the fabric-softener section where gunk accumulates. Rinse well and leave it to air-dry. While it soaks, wipe inside the empty drawer cavity with a damp cloth.
- Run a hot empty cycle with natural cleaners. Add 500 ml of white vinegar directly to the drum and 100 g of bicarbonate of soda to the detergent drawer. Knowing how to clean a washing machine drum properly means running the hottest, longest cycle available — ideally 90°C — with nothing in the machine. The heat kills bacteria and mould while the vinegar and bicarbonate dissolve residue and limescale. Some machines have a dedicated “drum clean” or “tub clean” programme; use it if yours does.
- Clean the drain pump filter. The filter sits behind a small flap at the bottom front of the machine. Place a shallow tray and a towel underneath, open the flap and slowly unscrew the filter cap — water will drain out. Remove lint, coins, hair grips and any other debris, rinse the filter under the tap and screw it back in firmly. Doing this every three months prevents drainage problems and nasty smells.
- Wipe down the exterior and door glass. Clean the outside with a damp microfibre cloth and a little mild detergent. Wipe the inside of the door glass, where detergent film builds up. Leave the door and detergent drawer slightly open after every wash from now on — airflow is the simplest mould prevention there is.
How to Clean a Washing Machine: Top-Loader Steps
Top-loaders rarely suffer the seal-mould problems of front-loaders, but detergent residue, fabric-softener build-up and odours still accumulate — particularly under the rim and around the agitator. Here is the full method for how to clean a washing machine with a top-loading design.
- Fill with hot water. Set the machine to its largest load size, hottest water setting and longest cycle. Let it fill completely, then pause the cycle before agitation begins.
- Add your cleaning agents. Pour 1 litre of white vinegar into the full drum, then add 100 g of bicarbonate of soda. Some people prefer a cup of chlorine bleach instead of vinegar for heavy mould — never mix the two. Close the lid and let the machine agitate for a couple of minutes to distribute the solution, then pause and let it soak for one hour.
- Complete the cycle. Resume the cycle and let it run through agitation, drain and spin. The soaking time does most of the work, loosening residue from the drum, the outer tub and the hoses.
- Scrub the agitator and rim. Once the cycle finishes, dip a cloth or old toothbrush in neat white vinegar and scrub around the base of the agitator, under the rim of the drum and inside any fabric-softener or bleach dispensers. These are the spots the cycle cannot reach. Rinse with a damp cloth.
- Run a final rinse cycle. Run one more quick hot cycle with nothing added to flush out any loosened residue and remaining vinegar. Wipe the lid, the top panel and the exterior, and leave the lid open to air-dry the drum completely.
Best Natural Cleaners for Your Washing Machine
You do not need expensive specialist products when learning how to clean a washing machine with natural products. Three cheap, widely available natural cleaners handle almost everything — with a few cautions worth knowing.
White Vinegar
Anyone researching how to clean a washing machine naturally will reach for vinegar first: distilled white vinegar is the workhorse of machine cleaning. Its mild acidity dissolves limescale, cuts through detergent residue and kills many common bacteria and mould species. Use it in the drum on a hot cycle, or neat on a cloth for scrubbing seals and dispensers. One caution: never use vinegar at the same time as chlorine bleach — the combination produces toxic chlorine gas. Also, while occasional use is perfectly safe, do not pour vinegar into every single wash, as constant acid exposure can eventually degrade rubber seals over many years.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is a gentle alkali that deodorises, lifts grease and softens water. It is excellent at neutralising the sour smells that cling to drums and seals. If you are deciding how to clean a washing machine drum that smells musty, add around 100 g to the drawer or drum during a hot maintenance cycle. It is non-abrasive and safe for all machine types, making it the gentlest option here. Its main limitation is that it will not dissolve heavy limescale on its own — pair it with vinegar or citric acid for that.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is the heavy hitter for limescale. Sold as a powder in supermarkets and online, it dissolves mineral deposits more effectively than vinegar and leaves no smell behind. If hard water is your main issue, this is how to clean a washing machine of limescale: use 100–200 g in an empty hot cycle for descaling, particularly in hard-water areas. The caution: it is a stronger acid than vinegar, so stick to the recommended amounts and do not use it more often than every few months. Always run an empty cycle — never with clothes in the machine.
Cleaner Comparison: What Each One Does
| Cleaner | What it does | How to use it | Caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| White vinegar | Dissolves limescale, cuts residue, kills mould and bacteria | 500 ml–1 litre in the drum on a 90°C empty cycle | Never mix with bleach; avoid in every wash long-term |
| Bicarbonate of soda | Deodorises, lifts grease, softens water | 100 g in the drawer or drum during a hot cycle | Will not shift heavy limescale alone |
| Citric acid | Powerful descaler for hard-water build-up | 100–200 g in an empty hot cycle, every few months | Stronger acid — measure carefully, empty machine only |
| Chlorine bleach | Disinfects and kills stubborn mould | 1 cup in a hot top-loader cycle, or in the bleach dispenser | Never mix with vinegar; can damage colours if residue remains |
A cleaning cycle is also the perfect excuse to put your feet up — start the hot wash, then settle in with our guide to getting your home entertainment sorted and put on a show while the machine does the work.
Washing Machine Maintenance Schedule
Deep cleans are only half the story. Once you know how to clean a washing machine deeply, a simple routine keeps the machine fresh between cleans and prevents problems from building up in the first place. Stick this schedule on the fridge or set phone reminders.
After Every Wash
- Leave the door (or lid) and detergent drawer slightly open so air circulates and moisture evaporates.
- Wipe the door seal of a front-loader with a dry cloth if you notice water pooling in the folds.
- Remove finished laundry promptly — damp clothes left for hours breed mildew in the drum.
Monthly
- Run a hot empty cycle (90°C) with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda — the core of any how to clean a washing machine routine — or use the machine’s drum-clean programme.
- Wipe down the door seal, the detergent drawer and the door glass.
- Check the detergent drawer for residue and rinse it if needed.
- Use the correct amount of detergent — overdosing is the number one cause of residue build-up. Follow the dosing guide for your water hardness.
Quarterly
- Clean the drain pump filter on a front-loader (tray and towel at the ready) — a step many guides on how to clean a washing machine skip.
- Remove the detergent drawer completely and give it a thorough soak and scrub.
- Inspect inlet hoses at the back for cracks, bulges or leaks.
- In hard-water areas, run a citric-acid descale cycle.
Annually
- Pull the machine out and clean behind and underneath it — dust and lint accumulate around the motor vents.
- Check that the machine is still level; an unbalanced machine vibrates excessively and wears out bearings faster. Adjust the feet if needed.
- Inspect the door seal for tears or perishing rubber, and replace it if damaged.
- Consider replacing inlet hoses every five years as preventative maintenance — a burst hose can flood a room.
Mistakes to Avoid When Learning How to Clean a Washing Machine
Even well-intentioned cleaning can go wrong. These are the most common errors people make when learning how to clean a washing machine.
- Mixing vinegar and bleach. This combination releases chlorine gas, which is dangerous to breathe. Use one or the other in a cleaning session — never both.
- Using too much detergent day to day. More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mould and forces extra rinse cycles. Measure carefully, especially with concentrated formulas.
- Closing the door immediately after a wash. Sealing a damp drum shut is the fastest way to grow mould. Always leave the door ajar between washes.
- Scrubbing the seal with abrasive tools. Wire brushes and scouring pads tear the rubber gasket, creating pockets where mould thrives and eventually causing leaks. Use soft cloths and old toothbrushes only.
- Ignoring the filter. The drain pump filter catches everything from lint to coins. Leave it too long and drainage slows, smells develop and the pump strains. Every three months takes five minutes.
- Running “cleaning” cycles with clothes inside. Descaling acids and high doses of vinegar or bleach can damage fabrics. Maintenance cycles are always run empty.
- Forgetting the detergent drawer cavity. People clean the drawer but not the slot it slides into, where mouldy residue hides out of sight. Wipe the cavity every time you remove the drawer.
Once you know how to clean a washing machine properly and the maintenance routine is second nature, the whole thing fades into the background of household life — much like doing the laundry during the game on a Sunday: start a load, follow the schedule above every few weeks, and your machine will keep working like new for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
If you are new to how to clean a washing machine, start here: run a hot empty cleaning cycle once a month, and do a full deep clean — seal, drawer, filter and exterior — every three months. If you wash mostly at low temperatures, use fabric softener regularly or live in a hard-water area, lean towards the more frequent end of that range. Between cleans, leaving the door open after each wash does most of the preventative work for free.
Can I use vinegar and baking soda together in a washing machine?
Yes — this is a safe and effective combination. The fizzing reaction you see is the acid and alkali neutralising each other, which helps lift residue, while the hot water does the sanitising. What you must never do is mix vinegar with chlorine bleach, as that produces toxic chlorine gas. Vinegar plus bicarbonate of soda is fine; vinegar plus bleach is dangerous.
Why does my washing machine smell even after cleaning?
If you have followed a guide on how to clean a washing machine and smells persist, the source was probably missed: the drain pump filter, the inside of the detergent drawer cavity, the waste hose or the standpipe the machine drains into. Clean the filter, scrub the drawer cavity, and check the drain hose for kinks or blockages. If the smell is like rotten eggs, bacterial build-up in the drain hose or standpipe is the likely culprit — a plumber’s drain cleaner or a hose replacement may be needed.
Is it safe to put bleach in a washing machine?
Yes, when used correctly. Chlorine bleach is a powerful disinfectant for occasional deep cleans, particularly in top-loaders. Add it to the bleach dispenser or directly to a full drum of hot water, run an empty cycle, and follow with a rinse cycle before washing clothes. Never mix it with vinegar or any acid-based cleaner, and avoid frequent use on machines with stainless-steel drums if the manufacturer advises against it.
How do I clean black mould from the rubber seal?
Soak a cloth in white vinegar, press it against the mouldy areas of the seal for 30–60 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush and wipe clean. For stubborn patches, make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, apply it, leave for 30 minutes and scrub off. If the mould has penetrated deep into perished or torn rubber, cleaning will only be temporary — replacing the seal is the lasting fix.
Do washing machine cleaner tablets work?
They can help as a convenient maintenance option, and many contain effective descaling and deodorising agents. However, they are no substitute for the physical steps: scrubbing the seal, cleaning the drawer and emptying the filter. Think of tablets as a supplement to the manual how to clean a washing machine routine described above, not a replacement for it — and they cost considerably more than vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.