How to Clean a Washing Machine: A Practical Maintenance Guide
A washing machine cleans clothes, but detergent residue, fabric fibres, body oils, and moisture can build up inside the machine over time. That buildup may contribute to unpleasant smells, residue on laundry, or a less-than-fresh drum.
Cleaning the machine does not need to be complicated. The safest approach is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and clean the parts that your model allows you to access. This guide covers the main areas to check and a simple routine for keeping the machine fresh.
1. Before You Start: Check Your Washing Machine Manual
Washing machines differ in their cleaning cycles, recommended products, and filter access. Before using a cleaner or removing a component, check the manual for your exact model.
You will generally need:
- A soft cloth or sponge.
- A small, soft cleaning brush.
- Mild detergent for suitable exterior surfaces.
- The washing-machine cleaner recommended by the manufacturer, if one is specified.
- A shallow container and towels if the manual explains how to drain an accessible filter.
Switch the machine off before cleaning accessible parts. If you need to unplug it, do so only when you can safely reach the plug without touching water. Never open a panel or remove a component that the manual does not identify as user-accessible.
Important: Never mix cleaning products. In particular, do not mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners. Mixing chemicals can release dangerous gases.
2. Clean the Drum
The drum can collect residue even when clothes look clean. Use the machine’s dedicated drum-cleaning or tub-cleaning cycle if it has one.
- Empty the washing machine completely.
- Check the manual for the recommended cleaning cycle and cleaning product.
- Add only the specified product and amount, following its label.
- Run the cleaning cycle as directed. Do not add laundry unless the instructions explicitly say to.
- When the cycle finishes, inspect the drum for visible residue and wipe it with a clean, soft cloth if needed.
Some machines have a dedicated Tub Clean or Drum Clean program. Others use a specific hot or maintenance cycle. Follow the instructions for your model rather than assuming that one temperature or cleaning product is suitable for every machine.
Avoid routinely adding vinegar, bleach, or other household chemicals unless the manufacturer specifically recommends the product and method for your model. An improvised cleaning method may damage components or conflict with the manufacturer’s instructions.
For more detail, see LG’s guidance on using the Tub Clean cycle.
3. Clean the Detergent Drawer
Detergent and fabric-softener residue can collect in the dispenser drawer and its housing.
- Pull the drawer out as far as the manual permits.
- If it has a release tab, use the removal instructions in the manual. Do not force the drawer.
- Rinse removable parts with warm water, where permitted.
- Use a soft brush to loosen residue from corners and compartments.
- Wipe the accessible drawer housing with a damp cloth.
- Rinse away loosened residue and let the parts dry before reinstalling them.
Do not submerge parts that the manufacturer says should not be immersed. Avoid sharp tools, abrasive pads, and forceful scraping, which can damage plastic surfaces.
If residue has hardened, allow warm water to soften it before brushing again. A small amount of suitable mild detergent may help if the manual permits it. Rinse thoroughly so that cleaner is not left in the dispenser.
4. Wipe the Door, Glass, and Rubber Seal
Front-loading washing machines have a rubber door seal that can trap moisture, lint, and small items. Top-loading machines may have different areas that need attention, so use the instructions for your design.
For a front-loader:
- Open the door and inspect the seal folds carefully.
- Remove visible lint or small debris by hand.
- Wipe the accessible surfaces with a soft cloth dampened with water or a manufacturer-approved cleaning solution.
- Check the lower part of the seal for trapped water or debris.
- Dry the seal with a clean cloth.
Do not pull hard on the rubber or use sharp objects to remove debris. If you find an item lodged deep inside the seal or notice a tear, consult the manual or arrange a repair rather than dismantling the machine.
After normal wash cycles, leaving the door and dispenser slightly open can help the interior dry, provided this is safe in your household and the manufacturer allows it. Keep the door open only when children and pets cannot access the machine unsafely.
Persistent dark spots or a strong musty smell may need more than routine wiping. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning advice; do not combine chemicals or use an unapproved treatment.
5. Check the Drain Pump Filter—If Your Machine Has a User-Accessible One
Some washing machines have a drain-pump filter that the owner can clean. Others have different designs or do not provide a routine user-accessible filter. Check your manual before opening any access panel.
If the manual confirms that the filter is user-accessible:
- Switch the machine off and follow the manual’s safety instructions.
- Prepare towels and a shallow container. Water may drain out when the filter is opened.
- Use the specified drain hose or procedure, if your model has one.
- Open the filter slowly and carefully, following the manual.
- Remove lint and debris without damaging the filter.
- Rinse the filter if the instructions permit it.
- Refit it securely and close the access panel as directed.
- Check for leaks after the next suitable cycle.
Water inside the machine may be hot. If the manual requires the machine to cool before this procedure, wait until it has done so. Never loosen a filter when you are unsure how to control the water that may escape.
If the filter is stuck, the access panel is unfamiliar, or the manual does not describe owner cleaning, stop and contact the manufacturer or a qualified technician. Do not force the part.
6. Wipe the Exterior
Wipe the control panel, door, lid, and cabinet with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Use a cleaning product only if it is suitable for the machine’s finish and permitted by the manufacturer.
Avoid spraying liquid directly onto controls, openings, or electrical components. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that could scratch the surface. Dry the exterior with a soft cloth when finished.
7. How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?
There is no single schedule that suits every machine or household. Follow the maintenance interval in your manual and adjust based on how often you wash, the products you use, and whether you notice residue or odours.
A practical routine is:
- After each wash: Remove laundry promptly and leave the door or lid open slightly when safe and permitted, so moisture can escape.
- Regularly: Wipe the door area and rubber seal, and check the detergent drawer for residue.
- When recommended by the manufacturer: Run the drum-cleaning cycle using the specified product and procedure.
- At the interval in the manual: Inspect and clean a user-accessible drain filter, if your model has one.
- When symptoms appear: Investigate persistent odours, visible residue, drainage problems, or leaks instead of relying only on a routine cleaning cycle.
If the machine is used heavily or often runs low-temperature cycles, you may need to pay closer attention to residue and moisture. Do not increase the frequency of chemical treatments without checking the manufacturer’s recommendations.
8. Common Problems and What to Do
The washing machine smells musty
Check the door seal, detergent drawer, and drum-cleaning instructions. Make sure the machine can dry between washes. If the smell persists after the recommended cleaning procedure, consult the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guidance.
LG provides additional information about washer odour and residue buildup.
There is residue in the detergent drawer
Remove and clean the drawer if your manual allows it. Check that you are using the correct detergent type and amount for your machine. Too much detergent can leave residue, and fabric softener may accumulate if it is overused or the dispenser is not cleaned.
Water remains around the door seal
Wipe away standing water and remove visible debris. Check the seal for damage and make sure the machine is level if drainage appears abnormal. If water continues to collect or the seal is torn, seek model-specific support.
The machine does not drain properly
A blocked or restricted drain system may be involved, but the cause is not always the filter. Check the troubleshooting section of the manual. Clean the filter only if the procedure is intended for the owner, and stop if the process is unclear or water cannot be safely controlled.
The smell or residue returns quickly
Repeated problems may indicate that the machine needs a different maintenance procedure, that detergent use needs adjusting, or that a component requires inspection. Avoid repeatedly adding stronger chemicals. Use the manufacturer’s troubleshooting steps or contact support if the problem continues.
9. Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning a Washing Machine
- Mixing cleaning products. Never combine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners.
- Assuming every machine is the same. Cycles, filters, materials, and cleaning recommendations vary by model.
- Using unapproved chemicals. Household remedies are not automatically safe for seals, hoses, or internal components.
- Forcing the detergent drawer or filter. If a part does not release as described in the manual, stop.
- Opening sealed or service-only areas. Clean only the components the manufacturer identifies as user-accessible.
- Using abrasive tools. Sharp or rough tools can damage the seal, plastic, and finished surfaces.
- Ignoring persistent symptoms. Recurring odours, drainage faults, leaks, or visible damage may need troubleshooting or repair rather than more cleaning.
10. A Simple Washing-Machine Maintenance Checklist
Use this checklist as a reminder, while following the schedule and procedures in your machine’s manual.
- Read the cleaning and maintenance instructions for the exact model.
- Run the recommended drum-cleaning cycle when due.
- Clean the detergent drawer and its accessible housing.
- Wipe the door, glass, and accessible rubber seal.
- Clean the drain-pump filter only if the machine has a user-accessible one and the manual explains the procedure.
- Wipe the exterior without spraying liquid into controls or openings.
- Let the interior dry between washes when safe and permitted.
- Investigate persistent odours, residue, leaks, or drainage problems.
Conclusion
A clean washing machine depends on regular, model-appropriate maintenance—not on using the strongest cleaner or following a universal home remedy. Clean the drum according to the manufacturer’s instructions, remove residue from accessible parts, dry areas that retain moisture, and check the filter only when your model is designed for owner maintenance.
If an odour, leak, or drainage problem persists after the recommended cleaning routine, consult the manual or manufacturer support rather than dismantling the machine or experimenting with chemicals.
