How to clean a washing machine, front-load or top-load

How often should you clean a washing machine?

GE Appliances recommends cleaning the washer tub once a month, for both front-load and top-load models, to keep the wash basket fresh and to help with mold and mildew odors. LG gives the same monthly interval for its tub clean cycle. On GE front-load washers with a Self Clean cycle, the company says to run it at least once a month or about every 40 wash cycles, so a household that does a lot of laundry may reach that count sooner than the calendar suggests.

The smaller parts of the machine need attention on their own schedule. GE says detergent and fabric softener residue should be removed from the dispenser drawer once or twice a month, and it asks front-load owners to check and clean the door gasket regularly. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension adds two items to its spring and fall home maintenance list: clean the washing machine water inlet filters and check the hoses, replacing any that leak. If you keep a seasonal routine, you can fold these tasks into the same home maintenance checklist you use for the rest of the house.

What you need before you start

Gather soft cloths, a soft brush, rubber gloves, and the cleaning product your washer maker allows. GE tells owners to use 1 cup (250 ml) of liquid bleach or a commercially available product made for cleaning washers, and it lists vinegar as another option for its top-load Basket Clean cycle. LG recommends an oxygen-based bleach for its front-load gasket, so the right product depends on your model, and the care section of your owner's manual has the final word.

Keep two precautions in mind whatever method you choose. GE advises unplugging the washer before any maintenance or cleaning to reduce the risk of electric shock. The Washington State Department of Health warns that mixing chlorine bleach with an acid such as vinegar releases chlorine gas, which irritates the eyes, nose, and throat and can cause serious breathing problems, so choose one product per cleaning session and rinse between them if you ever switch.

Before you begin, also look at the control panel to see whether your washer lists a cleaning cycle, which GE calls BasketClean, Basket Clean, or Self Clean depending on the model. That tells you which set of steps below applies to your machine, and it saves you from guessing at water temperature or cycle length.

How to clean a front-load washing machine

These steps follow GE Appliances' care instructions for front-load washers. Your model may name its cycle differently or ask for a different cleaner, so keep the manual close.

1. Open the door and press down on the gasket with both hands. Remove anything trapped inside, such as hair or small items, and make sure nothing blocks the holes behind the gasket.
2. Wipe the gasket with mild detergent, diluted bleach, or diluted vinegar, then wipe away the cleaning solution with warm water before you use the washer again.
3. Remove the items from the drum and pour 1 cup of liquid bleach or a washer cleaner directly into the wash basket.
4. Close the door and run the BasketClean or Self Clean cycle. If your model has neither, run a large Heavy or Cotton cycle with the drum empty.
5. If you used bleach, GE suggests following the Self Clean cycle with a Rinse and Spin cycle or a light-colored load.

GE notes that suds left in the drum after a cleaning cycle can come from built-up detergent residue, and that repeating the cycle until no suds form clears it.

How to clean a top-load washing machine

GE gives two routes for top-load washers, depending on whether the control panel lists a Basket Clean cycle.

1. Empty the basket completely and unplug the machine for any hand cleaning.
2. With a Basket Clean cycle, pour 1 cup (250 ml) of liquid bleach, vinegar, or a washer cleaner into the basket, close the lid, select Basket Clean, and press Start. Let the cycle finish without pressing the Power button, because GE says that cancels it.
3. Without that cycle, set the washer to fill with hot water, choose the longest wash cycle, add 1 cup of bleach (GE says baking soda or vinegar can be substituted), and let it complete a full wash and rinse.
4. If an odor lingers, repeat the whole process.

GE notes that the interior of the washer may smell of bleach after a Basket Clean cycle. If a power outage interrupts the cycle, it resumes where it stopped once the power returns, and if you interrupt it yourself, GE asks you to run a complete Basket Clean cycle before washing clothes again.

How to clean the dispenser, pump filter, and hoses

Detergent and fabric softener can build up in the dispenser drawer, and GE recommends removing that residue once or twice a month. The way the drawer comes out varies by model, so follow the removal steps in your manual, then rinse away the residue from the drawer and the opening it slides into. LG also asks owners to clean the dispenser regularly to prevent residue from accumulating.

Front-load washers can let small items pass through to the drain pump, which GE says can slow draining and contribute to odors. Most GE front-load models have an accessible pump filter, and the owner's manual for your specific model explains how to reach and clean it. UGA Extension also suggests cleaning the water inlet filters and checking the fill hoses each spring and fall, and replacing any hose that leaks. GE's own support pages recommend checking the inlet hoses regularly as well.

Why does my washing machine smell musty?

GE says odors in a top-load washer usually come from leaving the lid closed when the machine is not in use, which keeps moisture in the tub with no air to dry it. In front-load machines, GE points to detergent: using too much creates excess suds, and the extra soap gets trapped in the outer tub, where it causes an odor over time. LG adds that detergent may not fully dissolve in cold water, which can leave buildup behind.

The drain hose is another possible source, and GE explains that a hose pushed too far down into the drain standpipe can siphon drained water back into the washer and create a musty smell, and it recommends clipping the hose to the side of the standpipe so it sits higher. If the smell continues after several cleaning cycles, LG says the washer needs professional service.

How do you keep a washer clean between deep cleans?

The habits you keep after each load decide how quickly residue and moisture build up again. GE recommends a liquid HE detergent for front-load washers, used at the dose the detergent maker gives for concentrated formulas, and it notes that an effective amount usually sits well under the Max line in the dispenser. Leave the lid of a top-load washer open when you are not using it, and leave the door of a front-load washer open after cleaning so the gasket and drum can dry, as LG advises.

Put a reminder for the monthly cleaning cycle on your calendar, along with the dispenser rinse, and check the gasket each time you pull out a load. For more routines that keep appliances and rooms in order, browse the cleaning and maintenance section, where the guide to fixing a running toilet covers another quick check you can add to the same day.