To how to deep clean washing machine, run an empty hot water cycle with either 2 cups of white vinegar or a washing machine cleaning tablet (like Affresh). Then wipe down the drum, door seal, detergent drawer, and filter with a vinegar-dampened cloth. Front-loaders need this more frequently than top-loaders because of their rubber door gasket, which traps moisture and grows mold.
Washing machines get dirty – ironic as that sounds. Detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, hard water minerals, and mold from constant moisture all accumulate inside the drum, hoses, and seals. A machine that smells musty is usually signaling it needs a deep clean.
Deep Clean Method by Machine Type
|
Machine Type |
Primary Method |
Frequency |
|
Front-loader |
Drum cycle with Affresh or vinegar + gasket wipe |
Monthly |
|
Top-loader (HE) |
Hot cycle with vinegar or Affresh, wipe tub |
Every 2-3 months |
|
Top-loader (standard) |
Fill tub with hot water + 4 cups vinegar, soak 1 hour |
Every 2-3 months |
Step-by-Step: Front-Loader Deep Clean
Step 1 – Clean the rubber door gasket: This is where most of the mold hides. Pull back the rubber seal and wipe with a cloth soaked in white vinegar or a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per quart of water). Be thorough – black mold loves this spot.
Step 2 – Clean the detergent drawer: Pull it out completely (most pop out with a press of a release tab). Rinse under hot water and scrub with a toothbrush to remove caked detergent and mold. Let it dry before reinserting.
Step 3 – Run the drum cleaning cycle: Add 2 cups of white vinegar directly to the drum (or use an Affresh tablet). Run a hot cycle – use the ‘Clean Washer’ cycle if your machine has one, or the hottest/longest cycle available.
Step 4 – Wipe the drum: After the cycle, wipe down the inside of the drum with a dry microfiber cloth.
Step 5 – Leave the door open: After every wash. This is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent mold buildup – moisture needs to escape.
Step-by-Step: Top-Loader Deep Clean
Start the machine on the hottest setting with the largest load size. As it fills, add 4 cups of white vinegar (or 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar). Let it agitate for a minute, then pause the cycle and let the water soak for 1 hour. Resume and complete the cycle. Run a second rinse cycle with plain water. Then wipe down the drum, lid, and detergent compartments.
Don’t Forget the Filter
Front-loaders and some top-loaders have a coin trap/filter (usually behind a small panel at the front bottom of the machine). This collects lint, coins, and debris and needs to be cleaned every few months. Unscrew the cap carefully – have a towel ready as some water will spill out. Remove any debris and rinse the filter under warm water.
Preventing a Smelly Washing Machine
- Leave the door ajar between uses – especially on front-loaders
- Use the correct amount of detergent – too much leaves residue that feeds bacteria
- Use HE detergent in HE machines – regular detergent creates excess suds that don’t rinse fully
- Run a hot cycle monthly even if you mostly wash in cold
- Remove laundry promptly – leaving wet clothes in the drum promotes mold
Final Thoughts
A deep clean every 1-3 months keeps your washing machine running efficiently and smelling clean. The gasket wipe (front-loaders) and drain filter cleaning are the most neglected steps – but also the most impactful. White vinegar and Affresh tablets are equally effective; choose whichever you prefer.
