Your washing machine is your laundry’s best friend—but even your best friend needs regular upkeep. Over time, dirt, detergent residue, mold, and mildew can accumulate, leading to unpleasant odors and preventing clothing from coming out of the wash as fresh and clean as it should. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure every wash leaves your clothes or other items fresh and clean.
Run a Monthly Maintenance Cycle
- For both top and front-loaders: Run an empty cycle at the hottest, longest setting.
- Add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar (high efficiency machines may require 4 cups). Vinegar helps dissolve soap scum, mineral deposits, and mild odor-causing bacteria.
- After that cycle finishes, run a hot rinse with ½–1 cup of baking soda to neutralize odors and lift any remaining residue.
Tip: For excessive buildup or smelly washers, add a cleaning tablet (like Affresh or OxiClean) during the hot cycle.
Scrub the Nooks & Crannies
- Door gasket (front-loaders): Wipe and scrub thoroughly with vinegar (diluted 1:5) using a microfiber cloth or soft brush.
- Detergent/fabric-softener trays: Remove, soak in hot soapy water or vinegar, scrub off residue, rinse, and air dry.
- Agitator/hose (top-loaders): Dismantle as recommended, soak in hot vinegar and baking soda solution, scrub, then run a hot cycle with a cleaning tablet or vinegar.
Deep Clean for Mold or Mildew
- Vinegar + Baking Soda hack: Soak cloths in vinegar + a few drops of tea-tree oil, tuck them into the gasket for 30 minutes, then follow with a hot cycle plus baking soda.
- Bleach for stubborn mold: Only after all vinegar is rinsed, apply a bleach-water solution (⅓ cup bleach per gallon water) directly to the gasket for 10 min, rinse well, then run a hot cycle with bleach in the drum. Never mix bleach with vinegar!
Keep It Fresh Between Cleanings
- Leave the door open after each wash to air-dry the drum.
- Wipe the door seal weekly, removing moisture, hair, lint, and residue.
- Spritz a vinegar-water mix on the drum, seal, and drawer every few weeks.
Frequency Checklist
- Monthly/every 30 cycles: Deep cycle with vinegar → baking soda, scrub seal, trays, exterior (Southern Living)
- Every 2–4 months: Deep clean: vinegar + baking soda or cleaning tablets
- As needed: Bleach gasket treatment for persistent mold
Final Tips
- Always check your machine’s manual—vinegar can degrade rubber and hoses over time.
- Know when to use bleach—its disinfectant strength beats vinegar for mold, but apply carefully.
- Try citric acid + baking soda as a gentler, mold-fighting alternative that’s safe on seals.
- If the problem persists beyond your capabilities, contact a professional.
Quick Routine Checklist
- Run a hot water cycle with vinegar then rinse with baking soda
- Scrub seal, trays, filters, hoses
- Wipe down the exterior of the machine
- Air-dry with the door open
- Monthly: clean gasket + simple spray
- Quarterly: deep clean (vinegar-tablet-blend)
- Treat mold immediately with bleach or citric combo
With this improved routine, your washer will stay odor-free, hygienic, and efficient—laundry day just got a lot brighter!