3 min readIt’s easy to forget that the appliances that keep our homes clean—like the washing machine—need regular cleaning too. While your washer is constantly scrubbing dirty clothes with soap and water, detergent residue and grime can gradually build up inside. Over time, that sticky buildup can lead to unpleasant odors, mold, and mildew. Since no one wants freshly washed clothes coming out of a dirty drum, we spoke with a laundry expert to learn the best way to clean your washing machine and prevent buildup before it becomes a problem.
Patric Richardson, also known as HGTV’s Laundry Guy, says detergent residue can do more than create odors—it can also affect your machine’s performance. “The sensors in your machine can get kind of gummed up with detergent, and then it doesn't work as well,” says Richardson. “So cleaning every so often also cleans those sensors.”
Keep reading to learn how to clean your washing machine, how often you should do it, and the best cleaners to use.
Additional copy by Meghan Shouse.
How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?
Unless your washer manual states otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to clean your washing machine once every 30 cycles or once a month, according to Whirlpool. However, if you notice it’s starting to stink or you just ran a load that had a severe case of color bleeding, then it wouldn’t hurt to clean it sooner.
What’s the Best Washing Machine Cleaner?
There are plenty of options out there for cleaning your washing machine; choosing the best one comes down to your personal preferences.
If you want something you can throw in your empty washer and forget about, you can easily go to the store and pick up a washing machine tablet, like from the Affresh brand or Tide.
However, you can easily keep your washer clean without a premade tablet. In the rest of the guide, we explain how to clean your washing machine using a mixture of vinegar and borax, as well as the water from your machine.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
To avoid a smelly washer, try to do this routine once a month or every 30 loads.
What You'll Need
- 1 gallon distilled white vinegar, plus more for diluting
- 1 pound borax
- Spray bottle
- Gloves
- Sponge or rag
Step One: Empty Your Washer
Remove any clothes and debris (like lint or soggy bits of paper). Pour the vinegar and borax into the washer's drum.
Step Two: Start a Normal Cycle
Start a normal cycle. Let the washing machine run for one minute to combine the vinegar and borax. When you mix borax and vinegar, they create a solution that helps remove any mold or mildew that may be developing. Borax is also a natural deodorizer. Remember to stop the cycle after a minute or two.
Step Three: Let It Soak
Let the vinegar and borax sit in the washing machine for one hour. Now's the perfect time to take a break—or, you know, fold the clothes you just took out of the dryer.
Step Four: Run a Heavy-Duty Cycle
Select the longest, hardest-working wash cycle, like the Heavy Duty cycle. This setting runs longer than the Normal setting and has higher agitation, if your washer has an agitator. It also typically includes a fast spin cycle to remove as much moisture as possible.
Step Five: Wipe It Down
Fill the spray bottle halfway with vinegar, then top it up with water. When the cycle is complete, spray the entire drum, the gasket around the door, the handle, and the detergent compartment or drawer with the diluted vinegar, and let it sit for a few minutes.
Wipe the machine down inside and out. If you have a front-loading washing machine, leave the door and detergent drawer open to air-dry.
Cleaning your washing machine is a smart addition to your regular cleaning routine. Doing it monthly will help keep your washing machine looking and functioning its best.
