We know, it feels a little bit like overkill to clean an appliance whose whole job is to clean. But cleaning your washing machine is an essential task to help ensure that bacteria, detergent, and other gunk and grime don't build up and potentially cause a problem in your machine (or with your laundry).
In fact, if you're noticing a funky smell in your washing machine (or in your freshly "cleaned" laundry), you're probably long overdue for a washing machine clean.
Fortunately, this isn't an all-day task, and your washing machine itself can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Get the whole scoop on why and how to clean your washing machine, so you can extend its life and ensure your clothes come out as clean as possible.
Why You Need to Clean Your Washing Machine
Think about it: There's a lot of ick that goes through your washing machine on a regular basis. Your laundry is a hotbed of sweat, dead skin cells, pet hair, bodily fluids, and other messes—and it may not entirely be washed away in the rinse cycle. That means every load of laundry is likely leaving bacteria, viruses, and other microbes in its wake.
The detergent itself may not be washed away, either—especially if you're running most washing cycles on cool temperatures or overdoing it with the laundry detergent. That detergent residue can become food and fuel for microbes and for mold and mildew, which can grow all too easily in a machine that's damp most of the time.
If you're experiencing a situation where your clothes come out smelling less than fresh, or the water draining out of your machine has a distinct sulfur-like smell, you're probably in dire need of a good washing machine clean.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
The good news: You don't have to spend hours scrubbing the washing machine to get it clean. The bad news: You might have to get your scrub on to really get the gunk out from every crevice, especially for a front-loading machine.
There are a few overarching to-dos that apply, no matter which type of washing machine you have.
- Empty your washer first. You'll be using cleaning products that could damage any clothing left in the washing machine, and could react with leftover laundry detergent or fabric softener in your dispensers.
- Clean all parts of the machine. You don't want to miss out on cleaning out the soap dispensers, where detergent and water can collect and result in mold and mildew growth. Washing machines also have a lint filter, which can get clogged and become another source of microbe growth in your machine.
- Use one good cleaner. You can use a dedicated machine washing cleanser, or a cleaning product you already have at home, such as distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine bleach. However, it's very, very important that you do not mix cleaners in your washing machine. Mixing products could lead to a dangerous chemical reaction that could injure you or damage your washing machine.
- Wipe down the outside of your machine, too. A quick wipe with a damp cloth can remove detergent residue and dust and keep your washing machine looking good as new.
How to Wash a Top-Loading Washing Machine
Check out our full step-by-step guide for how to clean a top-loading washing machine, but here's a quick recap. To properly clean a top-loading washing machine:
- Make sure that the detergent dispensers and the washing machine drum are empty.
- Choose the longest and hottest wash cycle you can.
- Let the drum fill up with hot water—but don't let it agitate.
- Add a cleaning product, such as distilled white vinegar, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or a dedicated washing machine cleanser.
- Run the wash cycle.
- Clean the soap dispensers and the lint filter.
- Run another long, hot wash cycle without any cleaning products.
- Wipe down the outside of your washing machine.
How to Wash a Front-Loading Washing Machine
Front-loading washing machines are even more prone to funky odors than their top-loading counterparts, thanks to their water efficiency. Because it uses less water, it's more likely that excess detergent or fabric softener can become trapped in your machine—leading to that not-so-fresh smell. Get the full scoop on cleaning your front-loading washing machine here, but here are the basics:
- Make sure that the detergent dispensers and the washing machine drum are empty.
- Use a microfiber cloth, an old toothbrush and a solution of 1/4 chlorine bleach and four cups of warm water to scrub the door, the rubber gaskets, and the drum of your washing machine.
- Use hot water and a brush or microfiber cloth to clean the detergent dispensers and the drawer that holds them.
- Run a short prewash cycle to rinse the dispenser system.
- Wipe down the outside of your washing machine.
- Check the water pump filter (likely in a drawer beneath your machine) for lint and debris, then rinse it out.
- Run the machine—with 1/2 cup liquid chlorine bleach in the detergent dispenser, and a full bleach dispenser—on the warm water setting.
How Often to Clean Your Washing Machine
Obviously, any time you're noticing a less-than-fresh scent in your washing machine, you're probably due for at least a quick cleanup (if not a full deep clean).
Old-fashioned top-loading washing machines may only need to be cleaned every few months, while high efficiency ones may do well with a monthly washing.
Front-loading washing machines should be washed once or twice a month, depending on how much laundry you're doing, and whether it's hot and humid where you live (humidity can contribute to mold, mildew, and bacteria growth).
Source: Milbrand, L. (2025c, November 1). How to clean your washing machine—and get rid of that musty smell. Real Simple. https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-clean-a-washing-machine-11841384