How to clean your washing machine properly, for odor-free clothes every time

Clean and serene, Getting started, Rubber gloves, Scrubbing brush, White vinegar, Washing machine cleaner tablets, Aggressive cleaning power, Filter cleaning, Inside the drum and machine exterior, Top loaders vs. front loaders, Cleaning mold, Be mindful with vinegar, How to prevent smells

It's easy to take your washing machine for granted. That's until one day, you notice a foul odor or stench coming either from the machine itself or your washed clothes. The dirt that leaves clothes does go somewhere, and over time, it can build, putting pressure on your machine. By giving your washing machine a thorough clean once a month, you can help prevent this from happening. Having an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide means you can complete this deep clean in no time and won't have to worry about clothes smelling anything but fresh.

Click to learn how to keep both top and front-load washing machines clean.

Clean and serene

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Nobody wants to open their washing machine to clothes that smell bad. Before you begin cleaning your washing machine, you'll need to consider the type and size of your machine, as well as where the filter is located.

Getting started

Clean and serene, Getting started, Rubber gloves, Scrubbing brush, White vinegar, Washing machine cleaner tablets, Aggressive cleaning power, Filter cleaning, Inside the drum and machine exterior, Top loaders vs. front loaders, Cleaning mold, Be mindful with vinegar, How to prevent smells

Your washing machine's manufacturer will provide important information, like for how long and how much cleaning product you'll need to clean the machine.

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You might need to consult the washing machine instruction manual to find the location of the filter. It should be cleaned or replaced as part of the process.

Rubber gloves

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It's not a fun job, but someone's got to do it! Before handling cleaning products, make sure to use rubber gloves that will keep the skin on your hands protected.

Scrubbing brush

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One of the best things to get to work on stubborn, hard-to-move dirt is a strong-bristled, hand-held scrubbing brush.

Cloths

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Washable and inexpensive, cloth diapers are a wonderful material to use to clean your machine. They have a soft texture and are better for the environment as they don't contain microplastics.

White vinegar

Clean and serene, Getting started, Rubber gloves, Scrubbing brush, White vinegar, Washing machine cleaner tablets, Aggressive cleaning power, Filter cleaning, Inside the drum and machine exterior, Top loaders vs. front loaders, Cleaning mold, Be mindful with vinegar, How to prevent smells

An eco-friendly option, white vinegar is one of the best natural household cleaning products. It helps to neutralize smells, and because it is so acidic it kills bacteria. White vinegar also cuts through mold and mildew, which can easily build up inside a machine due to the amount of water usage.

Washing machine cleaner tablets

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Designed to remove odor-causing bacteria from your machine as well as break down grime and residue, these tablets make it to hard-to-reach areas, like the pipes, seals, and drum.

Aggressive cleaning power

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Add a quarter cup of bleach into the drawer or directly into the drum and put on an empty wash at the highest heat setting. Afterward, clean the filter and wipe down the detergent dispenser and gaskets.

Filter cleaning

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After you've run your hot cleaning wash through the machine, remove the filters and detergent dispensers for cleaning separately.

Inside the drum and machine exterior

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Next, it's time to thoroughly wipe inside and outside the machine. Mix white vinegar and water or bleach and water, and use your scrubbing brush to clean inside the drum. The gasket can trap mold and other smelly material.

Top loaders vs. front loaders

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Front loaders, due to their rubber gasket, are more likely to hold onto things like hair, which can cause a strange odor. Top loaders don't tend to gather quite as much smelly gunk, but they can still get stinky.

Cleaning mold

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Mold can be stubborn, and it requires cleaning with bleach to destroy it. Again, it will normally accumulate in front-loading machines in the rubber gasket, whereas in top loaders, it appears in other hard-to-reach places.

Be mindful with vinegar

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Don't overuse vinegar in your washing machine, either as a cleaner or in your laundry cycle, as it can damage the interior parts of the appliance.

How to prevent smells

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Apart from cleaning the machine itself, you can help prevent smells by removing clean clothes from the drum quickly. Removing human or pet hair between cleans will also make your machine cleaner overall.

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