How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?
Most appliance manufacturers and cleaning experts recommend cleaning your washing machine once a month — or more frequently if you do many loads per week, wash a lot of sports gear or heavily soiled items, or live in a hard water area.
Signs Your Washing Machine Needs Cleaning
- Clothes come out smelling musty or stale
- Visible mold or mildew around the door seal (front-loaders)
- Black residue in the drum or on the gasket
- A musty or sour smell when you open the door
- Lint or residue visible on clean clothes
How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine
Front-Load Washers
Step 1 — Clean the door gasket: The rubber seal around the door is a prime spot for mold and lint. Wipe it thoroughly with a cloth dampened with white vinegar or a diluted bleach solution. Pull back the folds of the gasket to clean inside.
Step 2 — Clean the detergent drawer: Remove the dispenser drawer and soak it in warm soapy water. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away detergent buildup.
Step 3 — Run a maintenance cycle: Most front-loaders have a dedicated drum-clean or tub-clean cycle. Run this with a washing machine cleaner tablet or a cup of white vinegar directly in the drum.
Step 4 — Clean the filter: Front-loaders have a pump filter (usually at the bottom front, behind a small panel). Place towels down, open the access panel, and drain the filter slowly. Remove any lint, coins, or debris.
Top-Load Washers
Add 4 cups of white vinegar directly to the drum. Run the hottest, largest cycle available. Pause mid-cycle and let it soak for 1 hour. Then complete the cycle. Follow with a cycle using 1 cup of baking soda.
What Is Limescale in a Washing Machine?
Limescale is mineral deposit buildup from hard water. Over time it coats the drum, heating element, and internal pipes, reducing efficiency and potentially causing damage. Monthly cleaning with a descaler or white vinegar helps prevent limescale buildup.
What Does "Soil Level" Mean on a Washing Machine?
The soil level setting tells your washer how dirty your clothes are. A light soil setting uses less water and a shorter wash time for lightly worn items. Heavy soil adds extra water and extends the wash cycle for heavily stained or soiled clothing. Matching the soil level to your actual load saves water and energy.
What Is a High-Efficiency (HE) Washer?
HE washers use less water and energy than traditional top-loaders. They require HE-specific detergent — regular detergent creates too many suds and can damage the machine. HE washers are identifiable by the HE logo on the machine and in the manual.
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