The essentials in 30 seconds
Once a month: wipe the door gasket (front loaders) or the lid and rim (top loaders), pull out and scrub the detergent drawer, and run the tub clean cycle with the product your manual names. If there is no such cycle, Iowa State University Extension suggests an empty hot wash with 1 cup of bleach. On front loaders, clean the drain pump filter every few months, or sooner if the machine drains slowly. Day to day, use HE detergent at the dose on the label, take wet laundry out promptly and leave the door ajar for an hour or two after each wash, as ENERGY STAR advises.
- Use one cleaner per cycle: bleach with vinegar or other cleaners gives off toxic gases.
- Unplug the machine before opening the pump filter.
- A smell that returns within days usually points to too much detergent or a closed door.
Why washing machines smell
Front loaders seal tightly to save water, and when the door stays shut that seal traps moisture inside, which ENERGY STAR links to mold (mould, in British English). Other common causes:
- Too much detergent, or the wrong kind. High-efficiency (HE) machines need HE detergent. Iowa State University Extension explains that regular detergent makes too many suds, which keeps soap from rinsing out and leaves residue behind.
- Wet laundry left in the drum. Damp clothes sitting for hours keep the drum humid.
- A clogged drain pump filter. Lint, coins and hair trap dirty water at the bottom of the machine.
- Fabric softener and detergent build-up in the drawer and its housing.
| Smell or sign | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Musty or mildew smell in the drum | Door kept closed, residue film | Tub clean cycle, then leave the door ajar after every wash |
| Black spots in the door gasket folds | Mold growing in trapped water and lint | Clean the gasket (steps below) and dry it after the last load of the day |
| Slimy black film inside the drawer | Detergent and softener residue | Remove the drawer and scrub it and its housing |
| Stale smell with slow draining | Clogged drain pump filter | Clean the filter |
| Clothes smell after washing | Overloading or overdosing detergent | Use the dose on the label and leave space in the drum |
| Sewer smell near the machine | Drain hose or standpipe problem | Check the drain connection; call a plumber if it persists |
How to deep clean a washing machine, step by step
You can do this deep clean yourself with a cloth, an old toothbrush and the cleaner your manual names; it takes about twenty minutes plus the cleaning cycle.
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01
Read the care section of your manual
It names the cleaning cycle, the products the maker approves and whether your model has a user-serviceable pump filter.
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02
Wipe the door gasket
Peel back each fold of the rubber seal and wipe out lint, hair and grime with warm water and a little detergent on a cloth. Dry it with a towel.
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03
Clean the detergent drawer
Pull it out (most have a release tab), soak it in warm soapy water and scrub with an old toothbrush. Wipe the housing too, including the roof of the cavity, where mold hides.
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04
Run the tub clean cycle
Use the cycle and cleaner your manual names. Without a cleaning cycle, run an empty hot wash with 1 cup of bleach, as Iowa State University Extension suggests; ENERGY STAR notes some manufacturers recommend a monthly normal cycle with 1 cup of bleach.
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05
Wipe the drum and door glass
Once the cycle ends, wipe off any loosened residue.
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06
Leave it open
Door and drawer ajar until everything is dry.
Front load washers: gasket and drain pump filter
Front loaders need the most attention, because the door seal holds water in its folds and the drain pump filter sits low at the front.
Gasket mold
For light marks, the routine above is enough. For stubborn black spots, use a cleaner that suits rubber, following its label, or a diluted bleach solution if your manual allows it, rinse and dry. The EPA points out that dead mold can still trigger allergies, so wipe it away, beyond simply killing it. People with asthma or mold allergies may prefer to let someone else do this job. If the spots are inside the rubber itself and return within days of cleaning, the gasket may need replacing by a technician.
Drain pump filter
Clean it every few months, or whenever the machine drains slowly. A typical procedure, based on one manufacturer's guidance:
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01
Unplug the washer
And let a hot wash cool before you start.
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02
Open the access panel
It is usually a small door or kick plate at the bottom front.
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03
Drain the water
Put a large, flat container and a towel underneath. If there is a small drain hose, unclip it, remove its plug and let the water run out, then plug and clip it back.
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04
Unscrew the filter
Turn it counterclockwise slowly; more water will come out.
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05
Clear it
Pull out lint clumps, coins and hair, and rinse the filter under the tap.
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06
Refit it firmly
Turn it clockwise as far as it goes, so it does not leak on the next wash.
Top load washers: what changes
Top loaders keep water in the drum rather than a door seal, so smells start under the rim and in the dispensers.
- Lid and rim: wipe the underside of the lid and the top edge of the tub, where scum collects.
- Dispensers: many top loaders have separate bleach and softener cups. Lift them out and rinse them.
- Agitator or impeller: wipe around the base, where lint gathers. Some agitators lift off; check the manual.
- Tub clean: run the cleaning cycle or an empty hot wash, as above. Iowa State University Extension notes that HE top loaders work without a central agitator and use less water, so the dosing advice below applies to them too.
- Lid open: leave the lid up after washing so the tub dries.
| Task | Front loader | Top loader |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly tub clean | Yes | Yes |
| Door gasket | Wipe and dry the folds | Lid and rim instead |
| Detergent drawer or dispensers | Remove and scrub | Lift out cups and rinse |
| Drain pump filter | Every few months, if your model has one | Rarely user-serviceable; check the manual |
| Leave open after washing | Door ajar for an hour or two | Lid up until dry |
HE detergent and dosing
ENERGY STAR explains that efficient washers use less water and so need less detergent than older models; look for the "HE" mark on the bottle or box. HE detergents are made to be low-sudsing, so fewer bubbles is normal: Iowa State University Extension advises resisting the urge to add more. Measure with the cap lines and follow the label for load size and water hardness. Too much detergent leaves a residue that feeds the smell you are trying to fix.
Cold water is fine for most loads. ENERGY STAR notes that washing in cold generally cleans well, except for oily stains, and that the sanitary cycle uses much more energy, so keep it for when you really need it.
Habits that keep a washer fresh
- Take wet laundry out promptly, then leave the door open so the machine airs out. University of North Carolina housing staff point out that closed doors lead to mold, odors and even machine damage.
- Leave the door ajar for an hour or two after each wash, as ENERGY STAR recommends.
- Dry the gasket after the last load of the day.
- Leave the drawer slightly open so its cavity dries.
- Check the hoses behind the machine for bulges or drips when you clean. Water pooling behind a washer usually means a supply line leak; a sensor there gives early warning, see water leak detectors.
- Keep the laundry room dry. A dehumidifier helps in a damp basement.
When to call an appliance technician
- The washer still drains slowly after you have cleaned the filter.
- It shows a drain or error code that the manual's steps do not clear.
- Water appears under the machine.
- The gasket is torn, or mold stays embedded in the rubber.
- A musty smell remains after a month of routine cleaning and good habits.
Cleaning a washing machine: frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Run a tub clean and wipe the gasket and drawer about once a month. Clean a front loader's drain pump filter every few months, or sooner if it drains slowly.
What is the difference between cleaning and deep cleaning a washing machine?
Day to day, you leave the door open and remove wet laundry promptly. A deep clean is the monthly routine in this guide: gasket, detergent drawer, tub clean cycle and, on front loaders, the drain pump filter every few months.
How do I clean a front load washer gasket?
Peel back each fold, wipe out lint and grime with warm soapy water, then dry it with a towel. Use a mold cleaner suited to rubber for stubborn spots.
Why does my washing machine smell like mildew?
Usually moisture trapped behind a closed door, too much or non-HE detergent, or a clogged filter. Leave the door ajar after every wash.
Can I clean my washer with vinegar and bleach?
Use one or the other, never together. Bleach mixed with vinegar gives off toxic chlorine gas.
Do top load washers need cleaning too?
Yes. Clean under the rim, the lid and the dispensers, and run a tub clean cycle monthly.
Should I leave the washer door open?
Yes, for an hour or two after each wash so it dries, as ENERGY STAR advises. Keep children and pets away from an open machine.
What does the tub clean cycle do?
It is a special cycle for an empty drum that flushes out residue; the details vary by model. Use the cleaner or bleach dose your manual names.
Sources
Official, extension and safety guidance, checked on 27 October 2026.
- ENERGY STAR · Clothes washers ↗Leaving the door ajar for an hour or two, child safety, monthly cycle with 1 cup of bleach, HE detergent and dosing, cold water and the sanitary cycle.
- Iowa State University Extension, AnswerLine · Time for a new washer? ↗HE detergent and oversudsing, musty smells, door ajar, tub clean cycle or hot wash with 1 cup of bleach, correct detergent amount.
- University of North Carolina Housing · Keep it fresh: leave the washer door open ↗Removing laundry promptly and leaving the door open to prevent mold and odors.
- New Jersey Department of Health · Mixing bleach with other cleaning products can be deadly ↗Toxic gases from bleach mixed with vinegar, ammonia, acids and other cleaners.
- US EPA · A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home ↗Dead mold can still cause allergic reactions; protective gloves.
- Maytag Product Help · Cleaning the pump filter, front load washer ↗Unplugging, draining into a flat container, removing and refitting the filter, cleaning every few months (manufacturer guidance).
Washer smelling musty?
Run a tub clean tonight, leave the door ajar and check the smell again after a week of the new habits.