When freshly washed towels smell musty before they reach the dryer, the washing machine may be the problem. Detergent residue, damp lint and trapped water can create odors, especially in corners that rarely dry. Knowing how to clean a washing machine means tackling those hidden areas, not simply adding more detergent to the next load.
A proper clean covers the drum, door seal, detergent drawer and, where fitted, the accessible drain pump filter. Most routine washing machine cleaning takes surprisingly little hands-on effort.
Check Your Washer Before Starting
Empty the machine and check the care instructions for your model. Some washers have a Tub Clean, Drum Clean or Clean Washer program; others specify an empty hot-water cycle. Choose a washer cleaner approved for your appliance and follow its dosage and placement instructions. Depending on the product, it may go in the drum or dispenser.
Gather a soft cloth, small brush, mild dish soap and dry towel. If cleaning a filter, you will also need a shallow tray. Avoid abrasive scrubbers. Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners; follow manufacturer guidance instead of improvising chemical combinations.
Clean the Washer Drum With an Empty Cycle
Remove any visible hair, tissue fragments or loose debris. Add the recommended cleaner in the location specified on its label, then select the dedicated maintenance cycle. Run it without clothes or normal laundry detergent. If your appliance lacks that program, check the manual for its approved cleaning cycle rather than guessing.
Cleaning cycles help loosen detergent film, fabric-softener deposits and soil. When the cycle finishes, wipe away any visible remaining residue with a damp cloth. Run an extra rinse only if the product or washer instructions call for one, then leave the door or lid open to dry.
For many households, monthly drum cleaning is a practical starting point. Some manufacturers recommend cleaning every 30 washes, while heavy use may call for more frequent maintenance. A persistent odor may require a repeated cleaning cycle following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Clean the Washer Gasket and Door
Front-loading machines have a flexible rubber gasket around the door. Its folds catch lint, hair and small objects while holding moisture. With the washer off, gently pull back the folds, check for forgotten items and remove loose debris without stretching the seal.
Wipe the gasket and inner door glass with warm water and a little mild dish soap. Reach into the lower folds where water collects. Use a soft brush on stubborn residue, rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry thoroughly. For persistent dark marks, consult your manufacturer’s approved gasket-cleaning method rather than applying concentrated bleach.
A useful habit is to clean the washer gasket after washing fluffy bath towels or pet bedding. Those loads often leave lint behind. A quick wipe prevents damp fibers from sitting against the rubber for days.
Wash Out the Detergent Drawer
Pull the dispenser drawer out only as the manufacturer directs. Many drawers have a release tab; others cannot be removed. For a removable drawer, wash sticky detergent and fabric-softener deposits with warm, mildly soapy water. Use a small brush for corners and narrow channels.
Rinse thoroughly, wipe the drawer recess and dry both surfaces before reassembly. Do not force a stuck drawer or place it in a dishwasher unless the manual allows it. Buildup in this area can interfere with dispensing and contribute to washing machine odor.
Check the Drain Pump Filter if Your Model Has One
Some front-load washers have an accessible pump filter behind a lower service panel. Other models, including some top-load machines, have no filter intended for homeowner removal. Confirm the correct procedure in your manual.
If yours has a serviceable filter, turn off and unplug the washer. Let hot water cool, then position towels and a shallow tray beneath the panel. Drain residual water through the small hose, if fitted, before slowly removing the filter according to the manual. Clear coins, lint and other debris, rinse the filter, and reinstall it and any drain caps securely.
Check for leaks on the next cycle. If water still will not drain, the filter is inaccessible or an error remains, seek model-specific support rather than dismantling internal parts. A blockage may cause drainage problems and leave dirty water behind.
Keep Musty Smells From Returning
Cleaning removes buildup; everyday laundry habits affect how quickly it returns. Take wet clothes out promptly, because a forgotten load can smell stale even in a clean appliance. When household safety and manufacturer guidance allow, leave the door or lid and dispenser slightly open between loads.
Measure detergent for the load, soil level and water conditions instead of automatically pouring a full cap. Excess detergent can leave deposits, not cleaner clothes. Use high-efficiency detergent when required and avoid overfilling the drum. For a related laundry check, see how much laundry detergent to use.
Frequent cool, short cycles can be useful for clothing care, but they do not replace a maintenance cycle. Put washer cleaning on your household calendar rather than assuming an occasional warm laundry load will clean the appliance itself.
What if the Washer Still Smells?
Identify when the odor appears. If the empty drum smells musty, revisit the gasket, drawer, cleaning cycle and accessible filter. If only thick towels smell after drying, the issue may be retained detergent or slow drying; see removing musty smells from towels. A single forgotten load is different from an odor coming from the empty washer.
A sewage-like smell, slow drainage or an odor that survives correct cleaning may indicate a drain-hose, plumbing or appliance fault. Check for obvious hose kinks, but ask a qualified professional to assess suspected drainage or sewer problems. Cleaning tablets cannot repair faulty plumbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you clean a washing machine?
About once a month is a reasonable starting point, although your model’s manual takes priority. Heavy use or recurring residue may justify more frequent attention to the drum, dispenser and seal.
Can you use vinegar to clean a washing machine?
Do not assume vinegar is suitable. Some manufacturers caution that repeated exposure may affect rubber components. Use an approved cleaning method, and never combine vinegar with chlorine bleach.
Why does my washer smell bad after a cleaning cycle?
The cycle may not remove lint under the door seal, deposits in the dispenser or debris in the drain filter. Check those areas and investigate drainage if the smell continues.
Can washing machine cleaner be used with laundry inside?
No. Dedicated washer cleaners and cleaning programs are generally designed for an empty drum. Follow both labels, complete any required rinse and then resume normal washing.
Make Fresh Laundry the New Routine
To keep a washer smelling fresh, combine the approved drum-cleaning program with regular gasket wipes, dispenser rinsing and filter maintenance where applicable. Remove finished loads promptly and let damp surfaces dry. A little attention to the places that trap residue helps the next load smell like clean fabric, not yesterday’s wash.
