How to Clean a Washing Machine: Front and Top Loaders
Clean your washer’s drum, dispenser and seals with model-specific steps. Learn what to avoid and what to check when smells keep returning.
Laundry care · A routine that fits your machine
A washing machine spends its working life cleaning things, which makes its own cleaning requirements feel slightly unreasonable. Unfortunately, detergent residue, trapped lint and damp seals do not disappear out of professional courtesy.
Here is how to clean a washing machine without turning the laundry room into a chemistry experiment. Start with the model’s manual, use the approved cleaner and cycle, and deal with the places a drum-cleaning cycle cannot reach.
Empty the machine, clean the accessible dispenser and seals as directed, run its designated cleaning cycle with the approved product, then dry accessible surfaces. Clean a user-serviceable drain filter only if your model has one and its instructions explain how.
Never mix cleaning products. In particular, do not mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, acids, ammonia or other cleaners. Use one product according to its label and the washer manual. Keep children and pets away from an open appliance and cleaning supplies.
Before you start: find the right instructions
Locate the model number, usually on a label around the opening or elsewhere specified by the maker. Download the manual from the manufacturer’s support site if you do not have it. Search for the cleaning cycle, dispenser care, door seal and drain-pump filter sections.
Gather soft cloths, a soft brush, the recommended cleaning product and, if the filter procedure requires it, a shallow tray and towels. You should not need a cupboard full of competing remedies.
Check where the cleaner belongs. A tablet may go in the empty drum; a liquid may have a specific compartment or dosing instruction. Do not assume that putting cleaner in every compartment makes the process more thorough.
How to clean a front-load washing machine
1. Empty and inspect the drum
Remove all clothing and visible loose items. Check the drum and the folds of the accessible door gasket for lint, coins or other debris. Avoid pulling hard on the seal or forcing objects into its drainage openings.
A forgotten sock is mildly annoying. A metal object scraping around the drum is a reason to stop and remove it safely before running a cycle.
2. Clean the door and gasket as directed
Wipe accessible surfaces with the solution permitted by your manual. Work gently around the folds and dry them afterward. The door glass can collect detergent residue where it meets the seal, so include that contact area.
Do not prescribe a universal bleach dilution for every machine. Materials and manufacturer instructions differ. If the gasket is torn, leaking or has persistent contamination that does not respond to the approved cleaning procedure, ask the manufacturer about service rather than repeatedly escalating the chemicals.
3. Clean the detergent dispenser
If the drawer is designed to be removed, release it according to the manual and clean the removable parts. Rinse away deposits with the permitted method, dry as directed and refit the inserts in their correct positions. Do not force a drawer past a stop.
Automatic dosing systems may have separate instructions. Emptying, rinsing or refilling a reservoir incorrectly can affect dosing, so check the specific procedure instead of treating it like a simple removable tray.
4. Run the proper cleaning cycle
Use the designated Tub Clean, Clean Washer or equivalent cycle with an empty drum and the approved amount of cleaner. Let it finish. Follow any instruction for an additional rinse or wiping away loosened residue.
LG’s tub-cleaning guidance treats drum cleaning, dispenser care, gaskets and the drain filter as related maintenance tasks. The exact controls and product instructions still depend on your model.
5. Check the drain filter, if it is user-serviceable
Some front loaders have an accessible drain-pump filter behind a lower panel. Others do not provide a user cleaning procedure. Do not remove panels or plumbing just because a different model has a convenient little door.
Where the manual permits cleaning, switch off and disconnect power as instructed, allow hot water to cool, and drain residual water using the specified method before opening the filter. Use a tray and towels. Water can escape even when the drum looks empty.
Remove debris, inspect and refit the filter and cap exactly as directed. Check for leakage after reassembly. If the cap is stuck, the seal is damaged or you cannot identify the procedure, stop and contact support.
How to clean a top-load washing machine
Empty the drum and use the machine’s cleaning cycle and approved product. Wipe the accessible lid, rim and dispenser areas according to the manual. Residue around the top opening may need manual attention even after the cycle finishes.
Check whether the dispenser, lint filter or agitator has a user-removal procedure. Some parts are removable; others are not. Do not pull an agitator out or dismantle an impeller simply because a generic tutorial does so.
Whirlpool’s cleaning guide emphasizes checking the owner’s manual and using the appropriate cleaning method. It also advises against dish soap, which can create excessive suds.
| Area | Front loader | Top loader |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Door glass and gasket folds need attention | Lid underside and upper tub rim need attention |
| Dispenser | Often a drawer; removal varies | May be a drawer, cup or integrated compartment |
| Filter access | Some have a user-serviceable drain filter | Filter arrangements vary; consult the manual |
| Cleaning cycle | Run empty with the approved product | Run empty with the approved product |
Should you use vinegar or bleach?
Use what the washer maker permits for that model. Vinegar is not automatically suitable because it is a familiar household ingredient. Whirlpool’s vinegar guidance explains why an approved washer cleaner may be preferable and warns against mixing vinegar with bleach.
Some machines permit chlorine bleach for a cleaning cycle; others specify a different product or procedure. Follow the manual’s amount, compartment and rinse instructions. More is not necessarily more effective, and residue from an improvised dose can create a new problem.
What if the washing machine still smells?
Work through the cause instead of adding fragrance. Check that laundry is removed promptly, the dispenser is clean, detergent is dosed correctly and the machine drains normally. Use the detergent type required by the washer and adjust the amount to the load and water conditions as directed.
If the approved routine does not resolve a persistent odor, consult support. A drainage problem, hose installation issue or inaccessible buildup may need a different response. A sewage smell, recurring standing water, leaks or error codes should not be treated as proof that the machine needs another cleaning tablet.
Do not keep running cleaning cycles on an appliance that leaks or has an electrical fault. Stop using it and arrange appropriate service.
How often should you clean it?
Follow the manufacturer’s interval and any cycle reminder. Monthly cleaning is a common starting schedule in manufacturer guidance, but usage and model requirements vary.
- Remove finished laundry rather than leaving it damp overnight.
- Wipe accessible wet seals when appropriate.
- Allow drying as the manual recommends, only where an open door or lid is safe around children and pets.
- Use the correct detergent and dose; extra suds are not evidence of extra cleanliness.
- Record filter and dispenser maintenance so it does not rely on memory alone.
The same principle applies to other cleaning appliances: use the method designed for the machine and surface. Our carpet-cleaner and steam-cleaner comparison explains why two devices with “cleaner” in the name can have very different jobs.
Can I clean the washer with clothes inside?
Use the machine-cleaning cycle with an empty drum unless the manufacturer explicitly says otherwise. Washer cleaner is not a substitute for laundry detergent.
Does every washer have a filter I can remove?
No. Access and maintenance requirements vary. Find the exact model’s instructions before opening anything.
Buy the cleaner your washer actually needs
Once you know the approved product type, use Bundance to compare suitable supplies and pack prices. Check compatibility and dosing on the product label before use.