The Right Way to Clean Your Washing Machine—and How Often You Should Do It

It might seem counterintuitive to regularly clean an appliance you use to clean other items, but it's still important to do—especially when it comes to your washing machine. Over time, this appliance can gather a buildup of debris, resulting in everything from odors to mold. Thankfully, cleaning your washing machine is simple and can be done with both store-bought products and DIY formulas. We spoke with experts to learn the best ways to clean both top-load and front-load washing machines.

How to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine

There are two types of top-loading washing machines: traditional and high-efficiency models, says Jessica Petrino, an appliance expert and editorial director at AJ Madison. Traditional models have an agitator in the center, and high-efficiency, hybrid top loaders have a flat disc-shaped impeller at the bottom.

Materials You'll Need

• White distilled vinegar
• Washing machine cleaner tabs
• Baking soda
  
• All-purpose cleaner (optional)
• Spray bottle

Instructions

Follow Petrino's steps to clean both types of top-loading washing machines:

1. If using vinegar spray, make a one-to-one ratio of distilled white vinegar and water to dilute it. Mix it in your spray bottle.
2. Wipe out the interior and the seals around the door of the machine with the vinegar spray or an all-purpose cleaner. Remove debris from any filters or drains around the seal.
3. For traditional models, take the agitator apart and soak in the sink with hot water, vinegar, and baking soda.
4. For hybrid models, detach the impeller and soak in the hot water, vinegar, and baking soda solution. (Since there is typically a bolt that keeps this part in place, Petrino only recommends removing it occasionally for a deep clean.)
5. "For hybrid models, make sure to clean and inspect the fabric dispenser for unwanted gunk," says Petrino. "It's common to discover buildup of detergent, fabric softener, and residue on any washing machine."
6. For both types of top loaders, run a hot water cycle and drop in a washing machine cleaning tablet like Oxy Clean or Affresh and follow the instructions on the package.
7. For washers with rubber components or hoses, don't use vinegar; it can cause the hoses to crack and leak over time.

How to Clean a Front-Loading Washing Machine

Contaminants such as waste from previous washes, as well as from food, residual detergent, dirt, and tap water can accumulate in washing machines, including your front-loading one. The most obvious culprit for smells coming from your front loader is likely the rubber seal around the door—water and debris tend to collect here and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Using chlorine bleach to clean your front-loading washing machine will help to prevent mold and mildew.

Materials You'll Need

• Chlorine bleach
• White distilled vinegar
• Microfiber cloth
  
• Spray bottle
• Large bowl

Instructions

Follow these expert-approved steps to clean a front-loading washing machine:

1. Identify the drain filter (which should be located behind a small front-facing door near the bottom) and shake it over the trash; rinse it well before replacing it. Have a big bowl handy to catch any excess water that drains out when you remove the cap from the drain tube.
2. Remove any remaining water in the tub by running a spin-only cycle.
3. Make a vinegar cleaning spray using a one-to-one ratio of distilled white vinegar and water to dilute it. Mix it in your spray bottle.
4. Spray your vinegar solution along the washer's rubber door seal (also known as the gasket). Let the solution sit for about a minute, and then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. Thoroughly clean the vinegar solution off and make sure the seal is completely dried before moving on to the next step.
5. Pour liquid chlorine bleach into the detergent compartment and fill it to the max line. Note: Don't use the bleach compartment.
6. After pouring the liquid chlorine bleach, use the "self-clean" function if your washer has one. If not, choose the hottest and longest washer setting on your machine. (Do not leave liquid chlorine bleach sitting in your washer.) Close the front-loading washer's lid or door and press the power button.
7. When the cycle completes, wipe clean any residue in the tub using a microfiber towel.
8. Run a rinse and spin cycle to remove any remaining residue. If necessary, continue running additional cycles until there is no more visible mold residue.
9. Leave the lid or door open to let the washing machine dry. Also, leave the detergent drawer open to help it dry.
10. Wipe down the pump filer, which is typically located on the front, near the bottom, and behind a panel on front-loading washing machines.
11. If you notice odor or mold remaining, even after several cleanings, call a professional for service.

How Often You Should Clean Your Washing Machine

In an ideal world, you should be cleaning your washing machine about once a month, says Courtenay Hartford, the author of The Cleaning Ninja. "Cleaning your washer should be viewed as more of a preventative measure than as something that you do to fix a problem once it arises," she says. "If you start to notice that clothes come out not smelling as clean as they should, it's time to clean your machine. You might also notice a buildup of various types of debris (pet fur, leaves, etc.) around the seals—that's a visual cue that you might have forgotten to run a good cleaning cycle for the last few months."

Beyond debris, soap residue from your detergent and bath products, as well as minerals from your water, can build up and create an environment for bacteria to grow over time. Not only can this residue eventually clog up the inner workings of your machine, but it can also impact how the machine functions; this might mean unpredictable water temperature or transferred odors between clothes.

How to Maintain a Clean Washing Machine

Going forward, try to keep the door open about an inch between laundry cycles to allow for more airflow; letting the inside of the machine dry out will slow down bacteria growth. Wipe your machine's seals a little more often and clear the filters and drain around the seal, as well, so less of that debris gets swept down into the main drain filter inside your machine. "It's worth noting that a machine that's used regularly—every day or every other day—doesn't give bacteria a chance to grow and create unpleasant odors," says Hartford. "You'll probably find that your problems with smelly laundry will decrease greatly." Now there's one silver lining to doing load after load of laundry.