How to clean a washing machine: drum, drawer, seal and filter

Learning how to clean a washing machine is worth ten minutes of your time, because a machine that washes clothes does not clean itself. Detergent residue, fabric softener, lint and damp create a film where bacteria and mould grow, which leads to musty smells and grey marks on laundry.

This guide covers the full routine for front-loading machines, with notes for top loaders: the maintenance wash, the detergent drawer, the rubber door seal, the drain pump filter and the habits that keep a machine fresh between cleans. Your appliance manual always takes priority, so check it for model-specific advice.

Why washing machines start to smell

Many households wash mostly at low temperatures to save energy. That is sensible, but cool washes do not break down greasy residue as well, and leftover detergent and softener build up in the drum, the outer tub and the hoses. Add a door that stays closed and a damp seal, and you have ideal conditions for mould and bacteria.

Typical signs are a sour or musty smell, black spots on the door seal, slimy residue in the drawer, and laundry that smells stale even after washing.

What you need

You do not need special equipment. Most of these items are already in the house.

• Washing machine cleaner, or your usual powder detergent, or soda crystals (washing soda), depending on your manual's advice.
• Warm water with a little washing-up liquid.
• An old toothbrush and a soft cloth or microfibre cloth.
• A shallow tray or baking dish and old towels for the filter.
• Rubber gloves.

A machine that washes clothes does not clean itself.

How to clean the washing machine drum with a maintenance wash

A maintenance wash is an empty cycle at a high temperature, often 60 to 90 °C depending on your machine. Many machines have a dedicated drum-clean or tub-clean programme; if yours does, use it.

Add a washing machine cleaner as directed on the pack, or a dose of powder detergent, which contains bleaching agents that help remove buildup. Soda crystals are another common option for grease and limescale. Run the cycle with the drum empty.

Many people reach for vinegar, but some manufacturers advise against using it regularly because acids can affect rubber seals and hoses over time. Check your manual before using it. Never mix bleach with vinegar or other cleaning products, as this can release harmful gases.

As a rule of thumb, run a maintenance wash about once a month, or more often if you mainly wash at low temperatures.

How to clean the detergent drawer

The drawer often hides the worst slime. Most drawers pull out fully once you press a release tab, usually found in the softener compartment. Check your manual if it does not come out easily.

Soak the drawer in warm soapy water, then scrub all the compartments and the siphon cap with an old toothbrush. Do not forget the cavity the drawer slides into: shine a torch inside, and scrub the roof of the housing, where mould often grows. Dry everything and slide the drawer back in.

How to clean the washing machine rubber seal

Gently pull back the folds of the rubber door seal (the gasket) and look inside. You may find hair, fluff, coins and dark mould spots.

Remove debris by hand, then wipe the folds with a cloth dipped in warm soapy water, using a toothbrush for stubborn spots. For mould, use a suitable cleaner and follow the label, wearing gloves and ventilating the room. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry the seal thoroughly. Deep-set black mould can stain the rubber permanently; if the seal is cracked or heavily stained, a replacement may be the better fix.

How to clean the washing machine filter

Most front loaders have a drain pump filter behind a small hatch at the bottom front of the machine. It catches coins, hairgrips and fluff. A blocked filter can cause poor draining, error codes and smells.

Wait until the machine has cooled, as water from a recent hot wash can scald. Unplug the machine, lay down towels and put a shallow tray under the hatch. Some machines have a small drain hose to empty first. Unscrew the filter slowly, since a fair amount of water can come out. Clear the debris, rinse the filter under the tap, check the opening for anything stuck, then screw the filter back in firmly so it does not leak.

Cleaning the filter every few months is a sensible routine. Check it straight away if the machine struggles to drain.

Habits that keep a washing machine clean

A few small habits prevent most problems from returning.

• Leave the door and the drawer slightly open after each wash so the inside can dry.
• Take wet laundry out promptly.
• Use the correct detergent dose; too much leaves residue rather than cleaner clothes.
• Wipe the door seal dry now and then, especially the lowest fold.
• Run a hot wash occasionally, for towels or bedding if suitable, or an empty maintenance cycle.
• Wipe the outside and the door glass with a damp cloth.

Cleaning a top-loading washing machine

Top loaders follow the same principles. Run the tub-clean cycle or a hot empty wash with a suitable cleaner, wipe under the lid and around the rim, and clean any removable softener or detergent dispensers. Some top loaders have a lint filter inside the drum or agitator; check the manual for its location and clean it regularly.

Frequently asked questions

Now you know how to clean a washing machine: run a hot maintenance wash, scrub the drawer and its housing, clean the door seal, empty the filter and let the machine air dry between loads. Put a monthly reminder in your diary, and your laundry will come out smelling of nothing but clean fabric.

How we research: Guides are written from established sources and checked for accuracy. They are general information, not professional advice.