Do I Really Have To Clean My Washer?

Yes — you really do have to clean your washing machine, and most people aren't doing it often enough. Even though your washer runs water through it constantly, it does not clean itself. Studies have found that unwashed machines can harbor bacteria, including E. coli, mold, and mildew in the drum, door gasket, and detergent dispenser drawer. Over time, this buildup causes laundry to smell musty even after a fresh wash cycle — and it can shorten the lifespan of your machine. The good news: cleaning your washer takes less than 5 minutes of active effort and should be done at least once a month.

Key Takeaways:

• Deep-clean your washing machine at least once a month

• Run an empty rinse cycle with no detergent once a week to flush residue

• Use Affresh tablets, distilled white vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide — never dish soap, hand soap, or shampoo

• Front-load washers need extra attention to the rubber door gasket, where mold concentrates

• Signs you're overdue: musty smell on 'clean' laundry, visible dark spots on the drum seal, or residue buildup in the dispenser

• A well-maintained washer lasts 10–14 years; neglecting cleaning can cut that lifespan significantly

It is often mistaken that washing machines are self-cleaning, but that simply is not true. Washing machines can actually accumulate a lot more dirt, grime, grease, and bacteria than is realized. Your washing machine is constantly removing gross things from your clothing; some of it is washed away when the water empties, but much is left behind.

Imagine a time when you have given a bath to a dirty child. After you finished scrubbing them down, you unplugged the bath and watched the water empty. What is left behind? In many cases, there is a ring of dirt that remains. This example is similar to what happens when you wash dirty clothes.

Why You Should Clean Your Washer

If you haven’t been cleaning your washer regularly, you are probably creating the perfect environment for bacterial growth! There are a lot of things that can be causing a bacterial buildup, including food, pet fur, detergent residue, and even fecal matter.

Nobody wants to create bacteria in their home, especially in a place that is meant to wash germs away. Also, the buildup can actually destroy the inner workings of your machine, which will shorten the life of your washer. Additionally, the buildup can make your clothes smell funny.

Once you start noticing a foul odor on your clothes, even after a fresh wash, then you are likely behind on your washing machine cleaning maintenance.

How Often Should I Be Washing My Washer?

Washing machines should be rinsed once a week by going through a “clean cycle,” where the washing machine is completely empty and does not have clothes or detergent.

It is recommended that every washing machine be deep-cleaned at least once a month. Cleaning can be done more frequently if the consumer is washing articles of clothing that are especially dirty and filled with grime.

It is not advised to wait until there are apparent signs that the washer needs to be cleaned. In other words, don’t wait until there is a gross smell before you decide to clean it!

How to Clean a Washing Machine?

Deep-cleaning your washing machine should be done at least once a month. There are a few ways to clean your washing machine to make sure you can avoid build-up, bacterial growth, and stinky smells. You can clean your washing machine by using vinegar, Affresh Tabs, hydrogen peroxide, and/or baking soda.

Vinegar

You can add two cups of vinegar to a clean cycle to help clean out your washer and help with the buildup. You can pour the vinegar into the laundry detergent compartment. The vinegar will not only clean out detergent build-up but can also help kill the foul-smelling odor particles.

Affresh Tabs

The simplest way to clean your washer is to get an Affresh tab and throw it into your machine (follow the instructions on the back of the box). Affresh makes it really easy to ensure you are breaking up build-ups and avoiding bacterial growth.

All you do is throw in one tab each month into your washer and run a cycle. The tab is slow-release and will clean up grime, residue, and build-up that everyday cycles leave behind.

Affresh also has wipes that you can use to get every angle of the washing machine to ensure that you are getting your washer as clean as possible.

Hydrogen Peroxide

In order to keep the washing machine smelling fresh, you can use hydrogen peroxide. To use hydrogen peroxide to clean your washer,r you can add two cups to an empty washing machine and then run an empty hot cycle.

Baking Soda

There is a reason that baking soda is used in so many different brands of washing detergents; the benefits are amazing! Baking soda helps remove foul odors, boosts detergents and also stimulates bleach. Baking soda can be added to each load of laundry to help avoid bacteria, help with build-up, and to prevent odor.

How to Clean a Front-Load vs. Top-Load Washer

Front-load and top-load washers require slightly different cleaning approaches because they trap residue in different places.

• FRONT-LOAD WASHERS: The rubber door gasket (the seal around the door opening) is the most common place for mold and mildew to accumulate in a front-load washer. After every wash, wipe the gasket dry and leave the door slightly ajar to allow airflow. During your monthly deep clean, pull back the gasket folds and wipe them with a damp cloth and white vinegar or an Affresh wipe. Run a hot, empty Clean Washer cycle with an Affresh tablet or two cups of white vinegar.
• TOP-LOAD WASHERS: Top-load washers accumulate residue primarily in the drum and the agitator post (if present). For monthly cleaning, add two cups of white vinegar to the drum and run a hot, full-water cycle with no laundry. Pause the cycle mid-fill to let the vinegar solution soak for 30 minutes, then resume. Follow with a second empty cycle using one cup of baking soda. Wipe down the lid, dispensers, and any removable parts.
• HIGH-EFFICIENCY (HE) WASHERS: If your washer is labeled HE (high-efficiency), always use HE-specific detergent — regular detergent produces too many suds and dramatically increases buildup inside the drum and pump.

 

What Should I Not Be Using to Clean My Washer?

Never use soaps that are not specifically designed for a washing machine. Don’t clean your machine with dish soap, hand soap, bubble bath, or shampoos. Soaps not created for washing machines can cause more build-up and might possibly ruin the mechanics of your machine.

 

Are There Any Ways To Prevent a Dirty Washer?

There is no way to completely avoid the need to thoroughly clean your washing machine. However, there are several ways that you can protect your machine from frequently dealing with build-up and foul smells.

•Pre-rinse clothes: Before you put your clothes into the washer, make sure that you pre-rinse anything that won’t wash away in water easily. Remember, whatever you throw into the washer will be in the same water as all of your other clothes.

•Check through clothing before washing: Double-check your clothes to make sure that you aren’t throwing in toys, electronics, money, tissues, or paper products. All of these items can inhibit the ability to thoroughly wash and rinse your load

• Remove items from traps: After every wash, look around and grab everything that isn’t supposed to be in the washer. For front-load washers, pull back the trap in the front to ensure that nothing is stuck inside there. Anything from garbage to small socks can find themselves lodged.

• Choose the right detergent: One of the biggest mistakes made by washing machine owners is not using the proper detergent or the right amount. High-efficiency washers need specific detergent and only need a tiny amount to be effective. Too much detergent can create a build-up and eventually ruin your machine if not handled properly.

 

Related Readings:

• Laundry Buying Guide

• Best Washer And Dryer Features For Large Families

• Best Washing Machines For Large Loads

 

FAQ: Cleaning Your Washer

Do I really have to clean my washing machine?

Yes, you really do have to clean your washing machine — it is not self-cleaning, despite running water through every load. Washing machines accumulate dirt, grime, grease, bacteria, and residue from everything they wash. Buildup from sources like food, pet fur, detergent residue, and fecal matter creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Left unchecked, that buildup will make your freshly washed clothes smell bad and shorten the working life of your machine.

How often should I clean my washing machine?

You should rinse your washing machine once a week and deep-clean it at least once a month. The weekly rinse means running a complete "clean cycle" with the machine totally empty — no clothes, no detergent. The monthly deep clean removes the buildup, bacteria, and residue that regular washing leaves behind. If you frequently wash heavily soiled or grimy clothing, cleaning more often than once a month is a good idea.

What is the best way to clean a washing machine?

The best ways to deep-clean a washing machine are Affresh Tabs, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. Affresh Tabs are the simplest option — drop one tab into an empty machine monthly and run a cycle to break up grime and residue. Two cups of white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can be run through an empty hot cycle for a thorough clean. Baking soda can also be added to regular loads to help prevent odors and buildup between deep cleans.

What should you NOT use to clean a washing machine?

Never use soaps that are not specifically designed for washing machines, including dish soap, hand soap, bubble bath, or shampoo. These products can cause additional buildup inside the machine and may damage its internal mechanics over time. For safe and effective cleaning, stick to washing machine-specific products like Affresh Tabs, or household solutions that are proven safe for washers — white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda.

How can I prevent my washing machine from getting dirty?

You can slow down washing machine buildup by pre-rinsing heavily soiled clothing before washing, checking pockets for items like tissues, coins, or small electronics that break apart and leave residue, and always using the correct detergent in the right amount. High-efficiency washers require HE-specific detergent and only need a small amount — too much creates buildup that can damage the machine. After each cycle, also clear any items trapped in the door gasket or lint trap.